• New York Institute of Finance

Mergers and Acquisitions: Concepts and Theories

Get an introduction to mergers and acquisitions with this first course in a program from the New York Institute of Finance.

4,671 enrolled on this course

Mergers and Acquisitions: Concepts and Theories

4,671 enrolled on this course

  • 3 weeks

  • 4 hours per week

  • Digital certificate when eligible

  • Intermediate level

Find out more about how to join this course

Discover the mergers and acquisitions industry

In this introductory course you will get an overview of the major aspects of the mergers and acquisitions (M&A) industry.

You’ll discover the theories and concepts that underpin mergers and acquisitions, and learn the skills involved in executing transactions, from a deal’s inception to post-merger integration.

Please note that this course is free to join but, in order to complete the Mergers and Acquisitions program, you will need to obtain a certificate on each of the courses. 

Skip to 0 minutes and 1 second It’s clear we’re entering a period where mergers and acquisitions will be a key part of the business and financial landscape. How will all this imminent M&A activity affect you? And what are you going to do to be prepared? The accelerating M&A trend will have an impact on you whether you are an investment banker or an entrepreneur, a strategic planner or market regulator in corporate finance or R&D. To get the greatest benefit out of a well-timed merger or a strategic acquisition, you’ll need deep knowledge of the structure, the steps, the pitfalls, and rewards of a potential deal.

Skip to 0 minutes and 36 seconds This timely professional certificate course brought to you by the New York Institute of Finance, is designed to provide you with a detailed overview of the entire M&A process, from finding the right opportunity, to analysing the risks and benefits, then structuring, and finally, closing the deal. This course will also introduce you to the key M&A decision making metric, free cash flow, as well as the accounting methods for mergers, acquisitions, and equity investments. Get ready for the M&A boom, and become an expert in all aspects of this essential business dynamic by enrolling in this course. You will be guided by Jeff Hooke and Steve Literati, seasoned M&A subject matter experts on the faculty at NYIF.

Skip to 1 minute and 21 seconds Register now for the New York Institute of Finance’s professional certificate in M&A so you can make the most out of the opportunities ahead.

What topics will you cover?

Week 1 - Overview and buyer strategies

Emerging market issues and the buyer’s viewpoint

Week 2- Finding and pricing a deal

How to start the acquisitions, risks and approaches to valuations

Week 3 - Special valuation cases

Through case studies explore emerging markets, premiums and discounts

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

  • Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

  • Identify common motivations for acquisitions and the reasons why many are unsuccessful
  • Evaluate the specific emerging market risk for M&A and learn valuation techniques for special valuation cases
  • Identify public companies, comparable companies, comparable acquisitions, and leverage buyout valuations
  • Summarise the Discounted Cash Flow approach
  • Describe the positive and negative attributes of the M&A methodologies
  • Explore the key risks associated with the acquisition process
  • Discuss the characteristics of a successful deal
  • Identify the steps involved in the acquisition process
  • Identify the functional types of mergers
  • Describe the differences between buy vs. build synergies
  • Explain the 3 ways M&A increases value
  • Summarise the top ten buyer motivations for M&A

Who is the course for?

This course is ideal for financial analysts and associates. It is also suitable for directors and managers who have transitioned, or hope to transition, to mergers and acquisitions from other areas, such as equities or fixed income.

What software or tools do you need?

To get the most from this course you will need a good knowledge of financial analysis and MS Excel.

What do people say about this course?

"I am completely new to M&A. I took the course mainly because I thought it would be interesting and perhaps give me some background to my own work which is working on contract for larger financial firms. This work is generally in the compliance field reviewing investment advice, monitoring transactions and complaint handling. [...] A potential advantage of taking the course that I hadn't been aware of was the role of Investment Banks in M&A and the fact that these organisations have Compliance Officers! I will be adding this course to my CV and if that leads to some possible work for investment banks then I will be looking at taking further courses."

"I enjoyed the industry specific multiples because in my sector we have some and I can use them to make a quick analysis of the business when I'm talking to companies owners."

Who will you learn with?

Jeff, Senior Advisor at Focus Investment Banking has more than 30 years of corporate valuation, investment banking, and private equity experience.

Who developed the course?

New York Institute of Finance

The New York Institute of Finance (NYIF) is a global leader in training for financial services and related industries. NYIF trains 50,000 professionals online and in class, in over 120 countries.

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Ways to learn

Choose the best way to learn for you!

Subscribe & save

$27.99

For the first two months. Automatically renews

Develop skills to further your career

  • Access to this course
  • Access to 1,000+ courses
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Digital certificate when you're eligible

Cancel for free anytime

Buy this course

$109/one-off payment

Fulfill your current learning need

  • Access to this course
  • Learn at your own pace
  • Discuss your learning in comments
  • Tests to boost your learning
  • Printed and digital certificate when you’re eligible

Limited access

Free

Sample the course materials

  • Access expires 9 Apr 2024

Find out more about certificates, Unlimited or buying a course (Upgrades)

T&Cs apply.

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