Overview

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Learn how to analyze mergers and acquisitions, build integrated M&A financial models, and evaluate deal outcomes using practical investment banking and corporate finance techniques. This course provides hands-on skills in acquisition valuation, purchase price allocation, pro forma modeling, debt financing, and EPS accretion/dilution analysis. The course begins with the foundations of mergers and acquisitions, helping learners understand deal rationale, transaction mechanics, and valuation concepts used in real-world corporate transactions. Learners will explore how acquisition opportunities are structured, analyzed, and validated through financial modeling. As the course progresses, learners build the technical foundation for M&A analysis by creating transaction assumptions, projecting financial statements, and calculating purchase prices. The course then focuses on acquisition structuring, including sources and uses of funds, purchase price allocation, and pro forma financial statement preparation. Advanced modules cover integrated three-statement financial modeling, balance sheet forecasting, working capital management, cash flow analysis, debt financing structures, and interest calculations. Learners will also analyze EPS accretion/dilution and evaluate shareholder impact under different transaction scenarios. The course concludes with sensitivity analysis and advanced deal evaluation techniques, enabling learners to assess acquisition outcomes and make data-driven financial decisions. What makes this course unique is its end-to-end coverage of the M&A modeling lifecycle combined with practical, industry-style financial modeling workflows. By the end of the course, learners will be able to confidently analyze acquisition opportunities, build professional M&A models, and support strategic financial decision-making in investment banking and corporate finance environments.

Syllabus

Foundations of M&A and Deal Mechanics

This module introduces the fundamentals of mergers and acquisitions, focusing on deal rationale, valuation concepts, and the mechanics of M&A transactions. Learners explore how real-world deals are structured, analyzed, and validated using financial models.

From Valuation to Financial Modeling Setup

This module bridges valuation concepts with financial modeling by introducing assumptions, financial statement projections, and purchase price calculations. Learners build the foundation required to structure and evaluate acquisition transactions.

Building the Deal Structure

This module focuses on structuring the acquisition, including sources and uses of funds, purchase price allocation, and preparation of pro forma financial statements. Learners construct the initial framework of the merged entity.

Completing Financial Statements

This module covers the integration and completion of financial statements, including balance sheet forecasting, working capital management, and cash flow modeling. Learners build a fully linked three-statement financial model.

Debt, EPS & Sensitivity Analysis

This module focuses on advanced financial modeling topics including debt structuring, interest calculations, EPS analysis, and sensitivity testing. Learners evaluate deal outcomes and assess shareholder impact under different scenarios.