[RECAP COFFEE TALK 02] THE RESILIENCE IN ACTION - M&A STRATEGY: THE ULTIMATE MOVE FOR FINANCIAL RESILIENCE

On the afternoon of April 21, 2026, SAPP Academy, in collaboration with AICPA & CIMA and CFO Vietnam, successfully hosted Coffee Talk #02 under the theme “The Resilience in Action – M&A Strategy: The Ultimate Move for Financial Resilience.” The event attracted a strong turnout of finance leaders, CFOs, and senior executives. Notably, the program featured the participation of Micki Tran, CGMA, MBA, CFA – Partner & Head of Investment Banking at Viet Australia Auditing Company, and Vương Nguyễn Đăng Khoa, CGMA, ACMA, CPA (Aust.) – Group CFO at Maison Retail Management International, who delivered practical insights drawn from hands-on M&A advisory and execution in Vietnam.

Moving beyond theoretical discussions, the Coffee Talk was designed as a highly interactive forum, addressing the real challenges businesses face amid the volatility of 2026. One of the central themes was the critical importance of cash flow management. The principle of “Cash is King” was emphasized not merely as a slogan, but as a core operating discipline. Businesses are required to proactively manage working capital, prioritize liquidity, and prepare contingency plans, ranging from setting up “war rooms” and categorizing expenditures to securing flexible financing sources.

From a strategic perspective, M&A was highlighted as a key restructuring tool, but one that only creates value when aligned with a long-term financial strategy. The speakers outlined four essential criteria for evaluating deals: return on equity, capital capacity, asset quality, and, most importantly, the operating team. In practice, the human factor-cultural integration and retention of key personnel-was identified as the decisive element for successful transactions, rather than purely financial metrics.

In addition, the approach to business valuation is evolving. Enterprise value is no longer determined solely by existing assets, but increasingly by its “future story”-growth potential and long-term adaptability. This shift underscores the growing demand for transparency, encouraging companies to adopt international standards such as IFRS and integrate ESG factors to enhance their attractiveness to investors.

The session also provided updates on market conditions, noting that while Q1 2026 showed positive performance across several sectors, the following quarters are expected to be more challenging. This outlook calls for greater prudence in growth strategies and financial management.

Concluding Coffee Talk #02, a clear message emerged: in a volatile environment, resilience must go beyond endurance and be translated into decisive action. Companies need to proactively restructure, with M&A serving as a strategic lever when executed effectively. At the same time, the role of the CFO is increasingly pivotal-not only as a financial steward but as a strategic partner shaping the organization’s sustainable future.

Viet Australia
Viet Australia Auditing Company is an independent auditing organization licensed and established in 2007 in the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.