Avoiding Costly Mistakes in SPAC Transactions
In this episode of The SPAC Podcast, Mohammad Hasham, Partner and West Region Leader for Capital Markets & IPO at CohnReznick, shares best practices for sponsors and management teams preparing for a SPAC transaction. He explains why engaging experienced advisors early in the process is critical, and how cutting corners can create costly problems later during audits.
Mohammad also highlights the importance of strong working chemistry between advisors, auditors, and legal counsel — particularly those with SEC reporting experience. His insights underscore how early preparation and the right expertise can help avoid unnecessary issues and expenses.
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Mohammad Hasham – Partner, Capital Markets & IPO, CohnReznick
Podcast Profile: https://www.thespacpodcast.com/guests/mohammad-hasham/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohammad-hasham-cpa-ca-cma-3797ab178/
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Michael Blankenship LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeblankenship/
Joshua Wilson LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joshuabrucewilson/
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Thespacpodcast
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Disclaimer: Michael J. Blankenship is a licensed attorney and partner at Winston Taylor. Joshua Wilson is a licensed Florida real estate broker and holds FINRA Series 79 and Series 63 licensure. The content of this podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered legal, financial, or compliance advice. All views and opinions expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the policies or positions of any regulatory agency, law firm, organization, or employer. Listeners should consult their own legal counsel, compliance teams, or financial advisors to ensure adherence to applicable regulations, including SEC, FINRA, and other industry-specific requirements. This podcast does not constitute a solicitation or recommendation for any financial products or services.
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Mike Blankenship: So for sponsors and management teams that are considering a SPAC transaction today, what are the financial and accounting best practices you would recommend to adopt early in the process? Not during, but early.
Mohammad Hasham: The number one most important thing for sponsors is to engage experienced advisors. Often, sponsors want to minimize costs and end up hiring advisors without the right experience. Then, during the audit, issues arise that could have been prevented, leading to higher costs to fix later.
I’ve seen this first-hand, where sponsors had to bring in more experienced advisors mid-process to resolve problems, and it ended up being far more expensive. That’s why it’s critical to hire the right advisors early — those who truly know this space. It’s also important to look at the chemistry between auditors and advisors, and to make sure legal counsel has real SEC reporting experience.
Partner, Capital Markets & IPO
Mohammad Hasham serves as Partner and West Region Leader for Capital Markets and IPO at CohnReznick, where he brings over 17 years of expertise in financial leadership, capital markets, IPOs, accounting, auditing, and advisory. He leads the firm’s technical accounting advisory practice for the West Region, guiding clients across diverse industries through complex financial challenges.
Holding the CA, CPA, and CMA designations, Mohammad is recognized for his deep experience in Capital Markets, and IPOs. He is worked on a vast number of public transactions including domestic and International companies.
Beyond his role at CohnReznick, Mohammad is the Founder of the American Founders & Leaders Community—an exclusive network that connects top-tier founders, executives, and venture capitalists. The community is renowned for its premium FounderFuel dinners that are held on a quarterly basis and brings together top tier Executives.