Learning Objectives

• Achieve a comprehensive understanding of the mergers and acquisitions (“M&A”) process, including the roles of various transaction participants and diligence service providers.
  
  
• Cultivate essential business skills and habits that create value (“HTCV”) and become a well-rounded deal professional capable of effectively navigating tricky situations found in a variety of transaction settings.
  
  
• Understand and analyze the perspectives of various parties involved in M&A transactions. Participants will learn to think like investors and recognize how viewpoints differ across investor types (e.g., strategic vs. private equity), investment stages (e.g., venture capital, growth equity, recapitalizations, buyouts), and investment strategies (e.g., types of businesses and investments typically pursued).
  
  
• Conduct core FDD analyses by performing common financial due diligence tasks such as quality of earnings adjustments, EBITDA adjustments, net working capital analysis, and identifying debt and debt-like items utilizing Excel and mini-case studies that reflect real-world industry scenarios.
  
  
• Gain proficiency in financial data processing and reconciliation techniques by learning how to map and trend trial balances, clean and reconcile data, and perform cash proofs, ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financial information for due diligence purposes.
  
  
• Understand and apply the key workflows and best practices in the FDD process, including detailed timelines, engagement steps, and strategies for managing both buy-side and sell-side transactions, from initial assessment through final report preparation.
  
  
• Navigate the transaction process by learning the roles, responsibilities, and typical deliverables for FDD professionals across various stages of a deal, with a focus on addressing the specific considerations and challenges that arise in both buy-side and sell-side engagements.
  
  
• Develop the ability to create and present comprehensive FDD databooks, synthesizing complex financial data and analyses into clear, well-structured reports that provide actionable insights and support decision-making throughout the transaction process.