Practical and Applicable Merger & Acquisition Knowledge 

The International Mergers & Acquisitions Expert (IM&A) program dives deep into the entire M&A process – from strategy and valuation to execution and post-merger integration (PMI). Whether managing or advising a merger or acquisition for your company or assisting your clients, we will equip the practitioners with the tools and knowledge they need to skip the common pitfalls and succeed.

Customised Your Learning Experience 
In the highly interactive on-site course or online virtual class or the self-paced online course, the practitioner will take their skills to the next level by practicing:

• Expanding your M&A perspective
  Hone new target identification strategies and advanced synergy analyses to close the best deals and navigate common post-merger integration pitfalls. 
• Mapping out the negotiation landscape
  Identifying the true stakeholders and likely competitors for the target ahead of time and get ready with the right strategies and tactics for closing the transaction without trouble.
• Improving your Foresight
  By “looking ahead and reasoning back,” learn the practice implementing exceptional value analysis and comprehensive due diligence so the practitioner can lead their team into unlocking the most lucrative merger and acquisition opportunities.
  

This cross-disciplinary curriculum provides a holistic view of the M&A process – from strategy and valuation to execution and post-merger integration management.
Delve into the challenges and opportunities presented by new technology and learn all the terminology and best practices for cross-border deals, corporate inversions, earn-outs, spin-offs, restructurings, corporate governance, and more opportunities. Different strategic approaches for private and public companies will also be examined.

The IM&A program is structured in four modules based on our IMAA Framework and Body of Knowledge:

Module 1: Essentials of M&A
This module covers the fundamentals of Mergers & Acquisitions, such as:

• Deal types: What are the different types of transactions that you can use in M&A? There is a whole range of deal types and deal continuum that we look at, e.g. the full spectrum from minority stakes to full acquisitions, various ways to arrange a merger, leveraged buy outs (LBOs), initial public offerings (IPOs), divestitures, spin-offs, equity carve-outs
• M&A Process (Buy-side): The program covers both perspectives from a buyer’s perspective (buy side) and from a seller’s perspective (sell-side). We explore how to seek buyers or potential targets (long list & short list) and how to run a sale in various ways (negotiations and auctions).
• Strategies for M&A: We dive into the strategies for Mergers & Acquisitions. How can you create competitive advantage through M&A, divestitures, and equity alliance.
  
• Introduction to Due Diligence: How do you prepare for and execute a smart Due Diligence to assure value creation? What are the different areas that can be covered in the Due Diligence process?
• Success Factors in Transactions and Post: We explore the success factors and key challenges and mistakes to avoid. Which M&A tactics work in which industries?
• M&A Negotiation (Onsite sessions only): How can you prepare for the negotiation phase? What are ways to arrange a value creating deal?
• Takeover Strategies and Defence Tactics (Onsite sessions only): How can you prepare your company against a hostile takeover attempt and reduce potential threats? Which are the defence mechanisms that you can put into place and how affective are they? Which ways exist to acquire a business successfully in a hostile way?
• Merger Integration
• Stakeholder Management

Module 2: Due Diligence
In the Due Diligence module, we discuss the key questions and topics to address in a due diligence. It covers the following areas of DD in depth:

• Financial Due Diligence
• Tax Due Diligence
• Legal Due Diligence
• Human Resources (HR) Due Diligence
• Commercial Due Diligence
• Other Due Diligence areas
• Challenges in cross-borded M&A

• Valuation Techniques for Mergers & Acquisitions: Various techniques such as Discounted Cash Flow (DFC) modelling, Transaction and Trading Multiples, and more will be explained step by step including a demonstration of building models in excel.
• Private Equity & Start Up Valuation
• Deal Financing & Payment Structure
• Deal Design & Structure
• Valuation in Emerging Markets (Onsite sessions only)

• Integration Governance: Project Management and Work Stream coordination
• Synergy Identification and Extraction: Identification of Growth and Cost Synergies and their realization
• Function Integration: How to integrate the different business functions, e.g., Sales & Marketing, Finance, HR, etc.
• Change Management and Cultural Issues: How to deal with differences and success with Communication and Change Management.
• Communication Channel & Optimization (Onsite sessions only)
• Business-as-usual and Quick Wins (Onsite sessions only)

Please refer here for more details on the course content and learning outcome. 

Online Self Directed Learning

For online programme, the course is delivered at the self-directed learning platform and you can complete the course at your own time and discipline. 

The validity period of the online programme would be 12 months.

Upon completion of the course, participants are entitle to access the online learning material access for up to 12 months of course validity from the date of programme confirmation.

Live Virtual Class (via ZOOM)

For the Live Virtual Class, you are required to attend the zoom classroom on the scheduled training date and to take the exams at the scheduled date approximately 2 weeks after the last class date.

Onsite (Physical Workshop)

Please note:

• Under the IBF Singapore training grant, for those who register from 2 January 2023 the completion deadline to complete the course and pass the exam is within 12 months for course validity period and approximately 2 months for virtual and onsite physical class.
• Individuals are required to achieve at least 75% attendance for the onsite and virtual (online) class, take all prescribed examinations/assessments or submit any course/project work (if any) under the course requirements and have not previously received a government funding for the same course.
• IBF Singapore Funding is under Standards Training Scheme (IBF-STS) approved until 30 September 2025.
• The course fee is not inclusive of other additional items such as additional recommended textbooks, transaction, and deals sample template, etc.
• SkillsFuture Credit (SFC) and UTAP training support is applicable for self-sponsored trainees.

Please click here to register.

Available Intake for 2024

Please click here to register interest.

The assessments components vary from each module and after each attempt, you will receive a milestone tick to complete the whole course. 

Each module contains its own individual assessments components.

Note: For the examination, you are given up to 3 attempts to pass the exams and the passing marking is at 70%.