MCLEAN, Virginia — February 2, 2026
Executive Summary
CrossCountry Consulting, a business advisory and technology solutions firm serving private equity sponsors and corporate clients, has announced the acquisition of CDS, a financial due diligence firm headquartered in San Francisco, California. The transaction expands CrossCountry Consulting’s transaction advisory capabilities and enhances its ability to support private equity firms and corporations across mergers and acquisitions, carve-outs, and recapitalization transactions. According to the company, the integration of CDS strengthens its financial due diligence offering and extends its coverage across the full deal and investment life cycle, from pre-transaction assessment through post-transaction execution. CDS brings experience serving private equity funds, private investors, lenders, and corporate clients, along with a team focused on buy-side and sell-side financial due diligence. Following the acquisition, CDS will be fully integrated into CrossCountry Consulting’s operations, with a newly established Financial Due Diligence practice led by CDS partners Brian Drue and Anthony Azevedo.
Announcement Overview
CrossCountry Consulting announced that it has completed the acquisition of CDS, a financial due diligence provider with a client base that includes private equity funds, private investors, lenders, and corporate clients. The company stated that the transaction strengthens its transaction advisory solutions and supports its strategy of expanding services for private equity sponsors and corporate finance teams.
According to CrossCountry Consulting, the acquisition enhances its ability to deliver financial and operational insights across complex transactions, including mergers and acquisitions, carve-outs, and recapitalizations. By integrating CDS into its existing advisory platform, CrossCountry Consulting indicated that it can provide a broader range of services to clients navigating transactions at various stages of the deal process.
The company noted that CDS’s experience in buy-side and sell-side financial due diligence complements its existing advisory offerings. The combined capabilities are intended to provide clients with continuity across transaction phases, from diligence and structuring through execution and post-close support.
Key Announcement Details
- Announcement type: Acquisition
- Acquirer: CrossCountry Consulting
- Acquired firm: CDS
- Headquarters of acquired firm: San Francisco, California
- Transaction focus: Financial due diligence and transaction advisory
- Client segments: Private equity sponsors, corporate clients, investors, lenders
- Integration status: CDS to be fully integrated into CrossCountry Consulting
- Practice leadership: Brian Drue and Anthony Azevedo
Strategic Context
According to the company, the acquisition reflects continued demand for integrated transaction advisory services among private equity sponsors and corporate finance teams. As transaction structures grow more complex and timelines compress, firms increasingly seek advisory partners that can support diligence, execution, and post-transaction integration through a single platform.
CrossCountry Consulting stated that strengthening its financial due diligence capabilities supports its broader strategy of serving the Office of the CFO and private equity sponsors across the deal and investment life cycles. Financial due diligence plays a central role in evaluating transaction risks, validating financial performance, and supporting valuation and structuring decisions.
The company also noted that the acquisition aligns with its focus on expanding services that combine financial, operational, and technology expertise. By adding CDS’s due diligence capabilities, CrossCountry Consulting indicated that it can further integrate financial analysis with operational insights and technology-enabled solutions.
Expanding Transaction Advisory Capabilities
CrossCountry Consulting reported that the addition of CDS enhances its transaction advisory solutions by adding specialized financial due diligence expertise. CDS’s experience spans buy-side and sell-side engagements, supporting clients across acquisitions, divestitures, and recapitalization transactions.
According to the company, CDS has built a reputation as a trusted partner to private equity funds and corporate clients by providing detailed financial analysis, quality of earnings assessments, and transaction-focused insights. These capabilities are intended to complement CrossCountry Consulting’s existing advisory services, including accounting, finance, risk, and operational support.
The combined platform is designed to provide clients with continuity throughout transactions. CrossCountry Consulting stated that integrating CDS’s diligence expertise allows it to support clients from early-stage assessment through post-transaction execution, reducing the need for multiple advisory relationships.
Focus on Private Equity and Corporate Clients
CrossCountry Consulting indicated that the acquisition strengthens its ability to serve private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies. Private equity firms often require advisory support across the full investment cycle, including diligence, transaction execution, operational improvement, and exit planning.
According to the company, CDS’s experience working with private equity funds and private investors supports this model by providing transaction-specific financial analysis aligned with sponsor objectives. The integration is expected to enhance CrossCountry Consulting’s ability to support sponsors during acquisitions, add-on investments, and exits.
The company also noted that corporate clients undertaking strategic transactions can benefit from a unified advisory approach. By combining financial due diligence with broader finance and operational advisory services, CrossCountry Consulting stated that it can support corporate clients navigating complex transactions while maintaining focus on ongoing operations.
Leadership Perspective
“The addition of CDS not only strengthens our ability to serve the Office of the CFO but also improves our ability to provide comprehensive solutions to private equity sponsors and their portfolio companies across the deal and investment life cycles,” said Erik Linn, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of CrossCountry Consulting. “Importantly, CDS also shares our values and dedication to fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence.”
CDS Integration and Practice Leadership
Following the acquisition, CDS will be fully integrated into CrossCountry Consulting’s operations. The company announced that a new Financial Due Diligence practice will be established and led by Brian Drue and Anthony Azevedo, partners at CDS.
According to CrossCountry Consulting, this leadership structure is intended to ensure continuity for existing CDS clients while supporting integration into the broader advisory platform. Drue and Azevedo will oversee the delivery of financial due diligence services and collaborate with other advisory teams across the firm.
The company stated that integrating CDS’s professionals into CrossCountry Consulting allows for shared resources, methodologies, and technology platforms. This integration is intended to support consistent service delivery and facilitate collaboration across advisory disciplines.
CDS Background and Capabilities
CDS has established itself as a financial due diligence provider serving private equity funds, private investors, lenders, and corporate clients. The firm’s work includes buy-side and sell-side financial due diligence engagements across a range of industries and transaction types.
According to CrossCountry Consulting, CDS’s team brings experience analyzing financial performance, identifying transaction risks, and supporting valuation and structuring decisions. These capabilities are intended to enhance CrossCountry Consulting’s ability to deliver transaction-focused insights grounded in detailed financial analysis.
The company noted that CDS’s client relationships and market experience support its expansion strategy and align with its focus on serving private equity sponsors and corporate finance teams.
Perspective From CDS Leadership
“We could not be more excited to join forces with CrossCountry,” said Brian Drue, Founder and Partner at CDS. “This partnership represents a unique opportunity to leverage our combined expertise and resources to better serve our clients. CrossCountry’s reputation for excellence and its commitment to innovation make it the perfect partner for CDS as we embark on this next chapter of growth.”
Supporting the Office of the CFO
CrossCountry Consulting stated that the acquisition enhances its ability to support the Office of the CFO, particularly during periods of transaction activity. Financial leaders often require advisory support that integrates diligence findings with accounting, finance, and operational considerations.
By adding CDS’s financial due diligence capabilities, CrossCountry Consulting indicated that it can provide CFOs with a more comprehensive view of transaction impacts. This includes understanding historical financial performance, assessing risks, and planning for post-transaction integration.
The company noted that aligning diligence insights with broader finance and operational advisory services can support more informed decision-making during transactions.
Transaction Life Cycle Coverage
According to CrossCountry Consulting, the combined platform is designed to support clients across the full transaction life cycle. This includes pre-transaction assessment, diligence, execution, and post-transaction integration.
The company stated that financial due diligence serves as a foundation for many transaction decisions and can inform integration planning and value creation initiatives. By integrating CDS into its advisory platform, CrossCountry Consulting aims to provide continuity across these stages.
This approach is intended to support clients seeking a single advisory partner capable of delivering consistent insights throughout transactions.
Broader Advisory Platform
CrossCountry Consulting described itself as a provider of advisory and technology solutions across finance, accounting, risk, and operations. The company serves Fortune 500 companies, emerging growth firms, and private equity sponsors.
According to the company, combining advisory expertise with data, AI, and technology platforms allows it to address complex business challenges and support transaction value creation. The acquisition of CDS aligns with this approach by adding specialized diligence capabilities to the broader platform.
Geographic Footprint and Operations
CrossCountry Consulting is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with employees across the United States and in strategic international locations. The acquisition of CDS, headquartered in San Francisco, expands the firm’s geographic presence and talent base.
The company stated that integrating CDS’s team supports its national coverage and enhances its ability to serve clients across regions.
About CrossCountry Consulting
CrossCountry Consulting is a provider of advisory and technology solutions across finance, accounting, risk, and operations. The firm serves private equity sponsors, portfolio companies, and corporate clients, combining expertise with data, AI, and technology-enabled solutions.
Headquartered in Washington, D.C., CrossCountry Consulting operates across the United States and in strategic international locations. The company is focused on delivering advisory services that support complex transactions, operational improvement, and transformation initiatives.
Media Contact
Lea Gilliam
Email: lgilliam@CrossCountry-Consulting.com
Source Attribution
Source: Company announcement