Certified M&A Associate

After providing an overview of major strategic rationales for M&A and an approach for systematic target identification Module 1 describes two distinctive approaches for M&A origination.  The module also provides an overview of major M&A phases and core M&A tasks. Further, Module 1 shows how teams of experts are working together, and why confidentiality is mission critical in any M&A project.

M&A Strategy

- Strategic rationale
- Exercise
- Target Identification

M&A Project

- Proactive M&A origination
- Opportunistic M&A origination
- Workout
- Major M&A phases
- Core M&A tasks
- Confidentiality

M&A Project Organization

- Workload
- Teams of experts
- M&A project leadership levels

Major milestones of the Pre-Due Diligence phase are described, including Teaser document, Confidential Information Memorandum, and Indicative Offer. Module 2 outlines key areas of the Due Diligence, and illustrates the role of Data Request List, Electronic Data Room, Management Presentation and other information sources in order to develop a Due Diligence report. Module 2 shows also why reps and warranties are important negotiating the Sale and Purchase Agreement, and why Signing and Closing can constitute quite distinctive milestones in an M&A project.

Pre-Due-Diligence

- Teaser
- Confidential Information Memorandum
- Indicative Offer
- Seller´s perspective
- Case
- Expert statement

Due-Diligence

- Areas of analysis
- Data Request List
- Case
- Expert statement
- Electronic Data Room
- Key functionalities
- Management presentation
- Other information sources
- Workout
- Due Diligence Report
- Case
- Expert statement

Post Due-Diligence

- Updated Offer
- Reps and warranties
- SPA and Signing
- Closing

After demonstrating why cash flow is an important basis for valuation Module 3 presents how to challenge systematically target’s assumptions on revenues, costs and capital reviewing the target business. Module 3 presents how value is created by M&A, and how synergies are both identified and prioritized.  Further, Module 3 explains how to prepare for post merger integration in order to implement planned synergies and to stabilize the target business illustrating among others the role of Target Operating Model (TOM), Transition Service Agreements (TSAs), Earn-out Agreements and M&A deal types.

Target Business Review
- Cash flow
- Valuation
- Exercise
- Case
- Expert statement
- Challenge revenue assumptions
- Challenge cost assumptions
- Challenge capital assumptions
- Workout

Synergy Planning
- Value creation
- Case
- Expert statement
- Synergy identification
- Workout
- Case
- Expert statement
- Synergy assessement
- Cash flow impact and complexity
- Workout

PMI-Preparation
- Case
- Expert statement
- Target Operational Model
- Implementation planning
- Case
- Transition Service Agreements
- Workout