Mergers & Acquisitions: A Current Guide to Deal-Making Self-Study Webinar

To give CPAs and other financial professionals a comprehensive overview of mergers and acquisitions. From distinguishing among the various types of M&A activity to complying with the relevant rules and regulations, this self-study webinar will walk you step by step through the M&A process. It will also delve into important legal, accounting, and tax considerations. 

SPEAKERS: 

Zachary Brecheisen, Partner, JonesDay

Mike Harmeson, Managing Director, BDO

Ganapathy Lakshmynarayan, Managing Director, Protiviti

Vishal Seth, Managing Director, Protiviti

Kevin Wharton, Managing Director, BDO

Bill Witt, Director, Accounting & Transaction Services, MorganFranklin

DETAILED LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• Understand the primary reasons companies engage in mergers and acquisitions, including expansion into new markets

• Identify the strategic goals of mergers and acquisitions, such as growth and diversification

• Identify the concept of vertical integration and its benefits in optimizing costs and controlling the supply chain in M&A

• Understand the motivations behind a company’s decision to sell, including succession issues Recognize the financial advantages for sellers in M&A, such as debt repayment

• Understand the importance of core team structure in the commercial due diligence process during M&A

• Understand the sustainability of growth and margins as part of financial due diligence in M&A Recognize the importance of assessing cash flow and liquidity during M&A due diligence

• Understand the role of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) factors in legal due diligence for M&A

• Describe the role of Transition Services Agreements (TSAs) in providing post-merger support during integration

• Understand the importance of communication with stakeholders such as employees, customers, and vendors in post-M&A integration

• Identify the process of brand positioning and rebranding in post-M&A scenarios Understand the legal and geopolitical risks involved in cross-border M&A transactions

• Identify the role of CFIUS (Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States) in regulating foreign investments in M&A

• Understand how goodwill is calculated and its significance in M&A transactions

• Understand the differences between asset acquisitions and business combinations, including the creation of goodwill

• Understand how intellectual property is valued during mergers and acquisitions

• Identify the role of advanced financial modeling in forecasting future revenues and scenarios in M&A transactions

• Understand the purpose of sensitivity analysis in evaluating the impact of variable changes in M&A financial models

• Understand the tax implications of M&A transactions, specifically the allocation of purchase price for tax purposes

• Recognize the importance of post-M&A tax compliance and reporting for the acquired entity Identify the importance of cultural integration in ensuring the success of M&A transactions

• Understand the key negotiation dynamics between buyers and sellers in M&A transactions, focusing on valuation expectations

• Identify how earnout agreements work in M&A

• Identify the bottom-up financial model used to project revenue and expenses during M&A transactions

• Understand the importance of scenario planning and analyzing best-case and worst-case outcomes in M&A

• Identify how contingent consideration is recognized and treated during M&A transactions

• Understand how vertical integration in M&A helps gain control over supply chains and optimize costs

• Identify ways in which companies achieve competitive advantage through M&A, such as acquiring new technology and skills

• Understand the importance of developing a new organizational structure as part of a post-M&A target operating model

• Recognize the benefits of focusing on core business operations post-M&A to improve operational efficiency

• Understand how political uncertainty affects deal flow and decision-making in cross-border M&A

• Identify the characteristics and significance of mega-deals in M&A, particularly deals valued over $10 billion

• Understand the financial risks involved in distressed M&A transactions, such as the impact of overleveraged companies

• Identify how antitrust regulations can block or affect mergers that reduce market competition

• Recognize the importance of involving both internal and external stakeholders in post-M&A communication strategies

• Understand the role of post-closing conditions in M&A documentation, particularly in finalizing regulatory approvals

• Identify how geopolitical risks impact cross-border M&A deal flow and decision-making

• Identify the role of private equity firms in providing support for leveraged buyouts and M&A transactions

• Understand the purpose of SWOT analysis in identifying risks and developing strategies for M&A success

• Recognize how ESG factors can increase compliance costs and influence M&A outcomes

• Identify how earnout structures tie compensation to post-transaction financial performance in M&A deals

• Understand how the integration of business plans is critical to the success of a post-M&A target operating model

• Identify the role of financial modeling in forecasting revenue, cash flow, and future value creation during M&A transactions

• Recognize the benefits of cross-border M&A, such as increasing global market access Identify how carve-outs in M&A transactions help companies focus on core competencies

• Understand the role of financial due diligence in assessing the quality of earnings during M&A transactions

• Identify how discounted cash flow (DCF) models are used to value businesses during mergers and acquisitions

• Understand the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) regulations on cross-border M&A deals

• Current Trends in Mergers & Acquisitions 
  – State of the M&A market
  – Factors affecting dealmaking
     – Rising interest rates due to inflation
     – Free cash flow being used to pay interest
     – Refinancing too expensive 
     – Private credit continuing to fill the financial gap
  – Political uncertainty and geopolitics 
  – Current negotiation landscape
• Analyzing Expansion
  – Capital budgeting
  – Revenue forecasting
  – Break-even analysis
• Business Combinations and Goodwill
  – Acquisition method accounting
  – Examples and exceptions
  – Equity vs. liability classification
• Business Combinations vs. Asset Acquisitions
  – Key accounting concerns
  – Qualitative screen concept
  – Relevant examples
• Advanced Financial Modeling 
  – Valuation approaches/techniques 
  – Deal model architecture
  – Post-closing accounting and tax considerations

Zachary Brecheisen, Partner, JonesDay

Mike Harmeson, Managing Director, BDO

Ganapathy Lakshmynarayan, Managing Director, Protiviti

Vishal Seth, Managing Director, Protiviti

Kevin Wharton, Managing Director, BDO

Bill Witt, Director, Accounting & Transaction Services, MorganFranklin