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Finance & Accounting

Mergers and Acquisitions Valuation and Deal Structuring

Mergers and acquisitions create value only when the price, structure and integration plan are right. This course takes participants through the deal process from target screening to closing: valuation using comparable companies, precedent transactions and discounted cash flow, synergy assessment, deal structures and consideration, due diligence and the key terms that protect buyers and sellers.

5 days Classroom or live online English
Smart Horizon Certified - Global Leadership Consultants
Take the course details with you.

Download the full standard outline: why attend, methodology, objectives, audience, competencies, the daily outline and current plans.

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Why attend

From knowledge to real-world impact.

Overpaying, missing risks in due diligence or choosing the wrong structure can destroy value for years. You will learn the analytical and negotiation tools that experienced deal teams use.

Workplace challenges

Professional Problems This Course Is Designed to Solve

The programme explores practical approaches to the following challenges. Results depend on how the learning is applied in your organisation.

  • Difficulty translating subject knowledge into practical workplace decisions.
  • Inconsistent approaches to the activities covered in the course outline.
  • Lack of a structured plan for applying and reviewing new skills.
Course methodology

How you will learn.

Valuation modelling in spreadsheets, a running acquisition case through the week, negotiation simulations and analysis of well-known successful and failed deals.

Course objectives

What you'll take away.

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Describe the M&A process and the roles of advisers
  • Value targets using multiple valuation methods
  • Estimate and challenge synergies
  • Compare asset and share deals and payment structures
  • Plan financial, commercial and legal due diligence
  • Negotiate key terms in sale and purchase agreements
Target audience

Who should attend.

This course is suitable for:

  • Corporate development and strategy professionals
  • CFOs and finance directors
  • Investment bankers and transaction advisers
  • Private equity and investment professionals
  • Business owners considering a sale or acquisition
  • Legal and tax advisers to transactions
Target competencies

Capabilities you will build.

Participants will develop competencies in:

  • Business valuation
  • Deal structuring
  • Due diligence planning
  • Negotiation
  • Value creation analysis
Course outline

Your learning journey.

A focused, practical outline with time to explore, apply and reflect.

Day 1The M&A Process

  1. 09:00–09:54Strategic rationale for acquisitions
  2. 09:54–10:48Deal process from screening to closing
  3. 10:48–11:00Roles of advisers and stakeholders
  4. 11:00–11:30Coffee break
  5. 11:30–12:12Roles of advisers and stakeholders (continued)
  6. 12:12–13:06Why many deals fail to create value
  7. 13:06–14:00Case introduction: the target company

Day 2Valuation Methods

  1. 09:00–09:54Comparable company analysis
  2. 09:54–10:48Precedent transactions
  3. 10:48–11:00Discounted cash flow valuation
  4. 11:00–11:30Coffee break
  5. 11:30–12:12Discounted cash flow valuation (continued)
  6. 12:12–13:06Leveraged buyout perspective
  7. 13:06–14:00Exercise: valuing the target

Day 3Synergies and Pricing

  1. 09:00–09:54Cost and revenue synergies
  2. 09:54–10:48Integration costs and timing
  3. 10:48–11:00Control premium and price setting
  4. 11:00–11:30Coffee break
  5. 11:30–12:12Control premium and price setting (continued)
  6. 12:12–13:06Accretion and dilution analysis
  7. 13:06–14:00Workshop: building the synergy case

Day 4Deal Structure and Due Diligence

  1. 09:00–09:54Asset versus share deals
  2. 09:54–10:48Cash, shares and earn-outs
  3. 10:48–11:00Financial, tax, legal and commercial due diligence
  4. 11:00–11:30Coffee break
  5. 11:30–12:12Financial, tax, legal and commercial due diligence (continued)
  6. 12:12–13:06Valuation adjustments from findings
  7. 13:06–14:00Exercise: due diligence plan

Day 5Negotiation and Closing

  1. 09:00–09:54Key terms in letters of intent and SPAs
  2. 09:54–10:48Warranties, indemnities and price adjustments
  3. 10:48–11:00Negotiation simulation
  4. 11:00–11:30Coffee break
  5. 11:30–12:12Negotiation simulation (continued)
  6. 12:12–13:06Post-merger integration priorities
  7. 13:06–14:00Personal learning plan

The timings provided are estimates and may vary depending on the number of participants and the discussions taking place during the sessions. They are indicative only and do not constitute a binding commitment.

Dates & venues

Find a session that works for you.

Confirmed dates accept registration requests. Tentative dates are enquiry only.

Dubai 9 Nov - 13 Nov 2026
Confirmed dates
£3,150.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 9 Nov - 13 Nov 2026
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Amsterdam 30 Nov - 4 Dec 2026
Confirmed dates
£2,540.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 30 Nov - 4 Dec 2026
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Barcelona 14 Dec - 18 Dec 2026
Confirmed dates
£2,840.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 14 Dec - 18 Dec 2026
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Kuala Lumpur 18 Jan - 22 Jan 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 18 Jan - 22 Jan 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Vienna 8 Feb - 12 Feb 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,940.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 8 Feb - 12 Feb 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Rome 1 Mar - 5 Mar 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 1 Mar - 5 Mar 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Dubai 22 Mar - 26 Mar 2027
Confirmed dates
£3,150.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 22 Mar - 26 Mar 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Cape Town 5 Apr - 9 Apr 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,890.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 5 Apr - 9 Apr 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Paris 26 Apr - 30 Apr 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,860.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 26 Apr - 30 Apr 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Cape Town 17 May - 21 May 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,890.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 17 May - 21 May 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Rome 7 Jun - 11 Jun 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 7 Jun - 11 Jun 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Barcelona 28 Jun - 2 Jul 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,840.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 28 Jun - 2 Jul 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
London 12 Jul - 16 Jul 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 12 Jul - 16 Jul 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Frankfurt 2 Aug - 6 Aug 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,650.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 2 Aug - 6 Aug 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Istanbul 23 Aug - 27 Aug 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,650.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 23 Aug - 27 Aug 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Cape Town 13 Sept - 17 Sept 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,890.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 13 Sept - 17 Sept 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
London 4 Oct - 8 Oct 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 4 Oct - 8 Oct 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Dubai 18 Oct - 22 Oct 2027
Confirmed dates
£3,150.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 18 Oct - 22 Oct 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Vienna 8 Nov - 12 Nov 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,940.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 8 Nov - 12 Nov 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register
Rome 29 Nov - 3 Dec 2027
Confirmed dates
£2,450.-Register
Online Live virtual classroom 29 Nov - 3 Dec 2027
Confirmed dates
£1,250.-Register

Good to know

A few things to know.

How is the course delivered?

Our classroom programmes combine facilitated discussion, case studies, exercises and reflection. The precise format will be confirmed before enrolment.

Can you deliver this programme for our team?

Yes, you can enquire about a tailored programme. Share your goals, group size and preferred dates with our learning team.

Will I receive a certificate?

Participants who complete the programme receive a Smart Horizon UK certificate of attendance. Smart Horizon UK programmes are not externally accredited and do not award a professional qualification, licence or designation. Where a course title or outline refers to a professional certification (for example, AACE International's Certified Cost Professional), the programme supports learning and preparation only; the credential itself is awarded solely by the relevant professional body under its own application and examination requirements.

What should I confirm before booking travel?

Please confirm the session, exact venue, accessibility arrangements, fees and any visa requirements with the team before arranging travel. Tentative dates are not confirmed sessions.

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