Mergers & Acquisitions Professional
M&AP
The Mergers & Acquisitions Professional (M&AP) is a program designed to meet the needs of auditing, consulting, deal advisory, investment banking, and legal professionals. The M&AP covers all aspects of the transaction process and provides insight into running a successful M&A boutique.
Onsite
30
approx hours
US $5,490
US $ 4,890
Early Bird
- BOOK NOW
- Internationally recognized designations
- Copies of certifications, presentations & materials
- 1-year IMAA charter-holding membership
- 1-year access to the entire IMAA eLibrary
PARTICIPANT TESTIMONIALS
Michael Reed
- Senior Consultant
- Smith Reed Partners
Christian Muntean
- President, Advisor to owners, executives & boards
- Vantage Consulting
Chuck Adams
- Managing Partner
- Coeptis Consulting Group
Emmanuel Kolade
- Director, Finance & Controller
- Omnify
Corbin Metz
- Managing Partner
- Coeptis Consulting Group
ReTina Moore, MBA, MSF, CFEI
- CFO and Project Manager
- Coins2Capital
James Goodnow
- CEO (Managing Partner)
- FENNEMORE.
Sultan Alrammah
- Project Management | Mergers and Acquisitions
- Saudi Aramco
Enrique G. Chavez Montes
- Management Consultant
What to Expect From M&A Professional Certification
The Mergers & Acquisitions Professional (M&AP) certification dives into the nuts and bolts of the transaction journey—auditing, consulting, and deal advisory are among just a few of the areas visited during the M&AP Training.
Whether managing or advising a merger or acquisition for your company or assisting your clients, we will equip you with the tools and knowledge you need to skip the common pitfalls and succeed.
In the highly interactive on-site course or the self-paced online course, you’ll take your skills to the next level by practicing:
Gain insight into international best practices
Hone new target identification strategies and advanced synergy analyses to close the best deals and navigate common post-merger integration pitfalls.
Broaden your horizons
Identifying the true stakeholders and likely competitors for the target ahead of time, so you’re ready with the right strategies and tactics for closing the transaction without trouble.
Taking your practice to the next level
By “looking ahead and reasoning back,” you’ll practice implementing exceptional value analysis and comprehensive due diligence so you can lead your team into unlocking the most lucrative merger and acquisition opportunities.
DESIGNATION
After successfully completing the course, you will receive the M&AP Charter. The M&AP is the most internationally recognized designation offered in the field of M&A. This charter signals to peers, clients, employers, and other professionals that you have completed the most comprehensive M&A education program available and are proficient in all areas of the mergers and acquisitions process.
Included in the M&A Professional Course
The M&AP program is structured in four modules based on our M&AP Framework and Body of Knowledge for Mergers & Acquisitions (for more information click below). It is available to take online or combined with the IM&A onsite.
Essentials of M&A
This module covers the fundamentals of Mergers & Acquisitions:
- 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: 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 Megers & Acquisitions. How can you create competitive advantage through M&A, divestitures and equity alliance?
- M&A Negotiation: How can you prepare for the negotiation phase? What are ways to arrange a value creating deal?
- 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: We explore the success factors and key challenges and mistakes to avoid. Which M&A tactics work in which industries?
- Takeover Strategies and Defense Tactics: How can you prepare your company against a hostile takeover attempt and reduce potential threats? Which are the defense mechanisms that you can put into place and how effective are they? Which ways exist to acquire a business successfully in a hostile way?
Due Diligence
In the Due Diligence module, we discuss the key questions and topics to address in a due dilligence. It covers the followin areas of DD indepth:
- Financial Due Diligence
- Tax Due Diligence
- Legal Due Diligence
- Human Resources (HR) Due Diligence
- Commercial Due Diligence and
- other Due Diligence areas
Valuation
In the valuation module, you will explore the
- Different 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
Running A Successful M&A Practice
The Running a Successful Practice should give you insights of how to attract clients and manage firm as well as M&A projects and portfolios. The following aspects are covered:
- Business Strategy: How to align the strategy in the private capital markets and to position in the industry of mid-market M&A.
- Mid-Market Advisory: Environment in the fragmented middle market, the importance of a transition team, the ownership life cycle, demand and supply of companies in this market, Transfer Cycle (example of the US market), capital trends, Corporate Finance for the Mid-market; Public vs. Private Markets; Private Equity and Private Debt; the landscape of Private Equity; Channels for Transfer and the different categories of buyers; how to build a transition Identification of Growth and Cost Synergies and their realization
- Sale & Purchase Agreements (SPAs): Stock vs. Asset Purchase Agreements; Preambles and Recitals; Seller and Buyer Representations and Warranties; Covenants; Closing Conditions; Indemnification; Termination; General Provisions.
- Tax Restructuring: Essential points in optimizing tax structures; reasons for tax restructuring; guiding principles; evaluating current tax regimes; Common MNC Structures; Tax Structure on a deal level; Tax efficient transactions.
- M&A Insurance: Transaction liability insurance; Warranty & Indemnity (W&I) Insurance: Buy-side and Sell-side Policies; Advantages of the W&A Insurance; Options in the M&A process; Coverage periods; Key principles; Exclusions; Premium, Retention and Limit; Recent developments with respect to cross-border transactions; Common forms of breaches; Timing of Claims, Claims by Transaction Volume, and Claim Amounts.
Learning Outcomes
Essentials of M&A
- Understand the different methods companies can acquire or merge another firm
- Distinguish between Management Buy Outs and Management Buy Ins
- Differentiate between spin-off, split-off & carve-outs
- Classify horizontal & vertical mergers
- Identify different strategies companies use to exit investments
- Classify types of tender offers and what constitutes them
- Analyze and compare different ownership shapes & structures
- Identify growth factors in M&A transactions
- Structure & manage M&A portfolios
- Identify value adding factors in M&A
- Identify value destroying factors
- Analyze various success measurement test & methods
- Classify drivers of profitability in M&A
- Analyze historical M&A waves and their driving factors
- Identify factors in Cross Border M&A activity
- European, Emerging markets, based on regions
- Evaluate historically largest deals
- Define characteristics of M&A waves
- Understand the buy and sell side process, covering both the traditional and holistic view
- Distinguish between the role of advisors and working with them in an M&A setting
- Establish framework for potential target buyer and seller searches
- Identifying relevant industries, companies, locations, financial advisors
- Preparing long and short lists
- How do M&A deals originate and the deal flow
- Discuss necessary agreements and documents in M&A deals
- Construct due diligence plans and activities
- Conducting and updating findings over the transaction lifecycle
- Organizing due diligence teams and data room management
- Identify various areas that require due diligence runs
- Conduct due diligence in a cross-border setting
- Create a minimalistic due diligence
- Identify warning signs in due diligence results
- Judge past and present takeovers battles
- Analyze takeover attacks and strategies for defense
Due Diligence
- Determine potential deal breakers, negotiations, and quality of earnings
- Differentiate between a DD and an audit
- Recognize tax exposures and liabilities
- Analyze different types of taxes
- Structure transactions
- Analyzing current and future liabilities
- Selecting the right legal counsel
- Legal and contractual obstacles
- Analyzing employment contracts, compensation & labor agreements
- Conducting a cultural due diligence
- Running a management audit
- Conceptual & general tools for industry analysis
- Analyze current and potential customers
- Conduct a product and technology portfolio analysis
Finance and Valuation
- Define data points for adjusting multiples
- Analyze financial statements
- Interpret P&L, balance sheet, cashflow
- Differentiate between types of financial statement
- Analyze application of cashflow, P&L and balance sheet within valuation models
- Identify different approaches to valuation
- Interpret the fundamental assumptions in valuation
- Analyze various valuation techniques
- Understand the application of various valuation methods and various pros and cons
- Differentiate between FCFF & FCFE during valuation process
- Define use of FCFF & FCFE
- Analyze present and future value of a firm and equity
- Understand FCFF/FCFE application during valuation
- Classify and define equity and firm valuation
- Understand risk and volatility of a portfolio compared to market
- Apply DCF valuation model
- Estimate shareholder equity
- Understand DCF valuation using FCFF
- Define CAPM model and its application
- Define components of cost of debt
- Estimate cost of debt
- Determine ratings using financial statements
- Assign weights for cost of capital calculation
- Understand application of sensitivity analysis in financial modeling
- Analyze impact on end results
- Identify value of shares through growth rates and cost of capital
- Define valuation by market approach method
- Analyze Guideline Public Company and market variables
- Conceptualize various multiples used in valuation process
- Interpret adjustments
- Analyze and apply multiples
- Define Enterprise Value (EV)
- Analyze various EV multiples
- Understand application of EV multiples in valuation
- Calculate and interpret PE ratios
- Apply PE ratios for market wide comparison
- Identify drawbacks for PE ratios
- Define investment structure
- Understand & analyze investor return calculations
- Defining pre and post money valuation
- Understanding & implementing shareholding analysis before and after investment
- Define returns
- Understand straight equity vs. mezzanine investment structure
- Differentiate impact of both investment structures
- Establish valuation method within the framework of a given case study
- Understanding historical financials as a means of projecting value
- Analyzing assumptions to build a financial model
- Identify different cashflow measures
- Account for operating lease expenses
- Classify & capitalize R&D expenses
- Analyze effects of taxes on cash flow estimations and change in working capital
- Defining financial assumptions
- Constructing an Assumptions Sheet
- Analyzing data points related to personnel & salaries
- Calculating growth rates/fluctuations in headcounts and salary, etc
- Defining cost projections/assumptions
- Defining revenues based on assumption sheet
- Analyzing sales prices and volumes
- Modeling total revenue projection as part of valuation process
- Understanding components of cost
- Analyzing cost projections based on component analysis
- Understanding operating costs
- Calculating total operating cost projection as part of valuation
- Defining depreciation values
- Understanding straight line method in depreciation calculation
- Defining interest expense
- Calculating net interest expense
- Defining working capital
- Understanding how the operating cycle relates to need for liquidity
- Understanding inventory, receivable and payable days
- Analyzing key ratios and defining assumptions
- Analyzing cashflows from previous financial statements
- Projecting cashflows
- Understanding interest coverage
- Defining leverage, liquidity and activity ratios
- Understanding return on average equity, average capital employed and average assets (ROAE, ROACE, ROAA)
- Understanding ROAE for shareholder returns
- Understanding ROACE for debt & equity holders
- Understanding ROAA for debt and equity holders
Running A Successful M&A Practice
- Understanding the goals of a practice
- Analyze current assets and performing a GAP analysis
- Understanding strategic planning & establishing a strategic planning model
- Defining Private Capital Markets
- Understanding the current environment
- Analyzing fragmented vs. big picture view
- Understanding the PCM landscape and analyzing ‘professional’ valuation today
- Understanding principle purchase agreements
- Defining 9 articles in an agreement, from Definitions to General Provisions
- Understanding the reasons for tax restructuring
- Defining guiding principles
- Analyzing issues for consideration in current tax regimes
- Analyzing tax structure on a deal level
- Understanding Warranty & Indemnity insurance (W&I Insurance)
- Analyzing sell and buy-side policy and the advantages of W&I insurance
- Defining options in the M&A process
MEET OUR FACULTY
Our growing faculty of more than 60 professors represent a diverse group of professionals, coming from over 20 countries; they work as corporate executives, entrepreneurs, researchers, consultants and professors. Their expertise makes them subject matter experts, groundbreaking researchers, and award-winning authors.
This intersection of practical industry insight, theoretical knowledge, and passion for teaching that our faculty brings to each training strikes at the heart of what IMAA seeks to be.
Experts and Faculty
PREREQUISITE
- Hold an academic degree (e.g. PhD, JD, DBA, MBA or Bachelor Degree); and/or hold one or more professional designations (such as CPA, CFA, CAIA or equivalent)
Who Participates
While you will meet an international mix of participants from various industries, the Mergers and Acquisitions program is designed for mid-management to senior executives in the C-Suite, directors of public and private companies, board leaders, and heads of strategy and corporate development. It is also geared toward advisers, investment bankers, transaction lawyers, and private equity investors. Individuals and teams are welcome to attend.
- Click to expand
M&AP Certificate ONLINE
Bundle & Save:
Original price was: $4,360.00.$3,290.00Current price is: $3,290.00.
Take the number one international M&A Professional program available worldwide online: Real world content developed and instructed by M&A practitioners Well structured and balanced content to succeed in transactions Largest number of experienced experts as instructors Materials specifically designed for online use You can complete the program part-time while working and without the need to ... Read more
M&AP Onsite Singapore September 15-18, 2025
Fees:
$5,490.00
Start:
15
Sep
on 00:00 UTC
Singapore | Sep 2025
M&AP Onsite Amsterdam October 6-10, 2025
Fees:
$5,490.00
Start:
06
Oct
on 00:00 UTC
Amsterdam | Oct 2025
M&AP Onsite New York October 20-24, 2025
Fees:
$5,490.00
Start:
20
Oct
on 00:00 UTC
New York | Oct 2025
Essentials of M&A (Module 1)
Fees:
$1,090.00
The Essentials of M&A module provides you with a solid foundation in M&A so you can deep dive in integration issues laster. This module covers: Various deal types M&A Process (buy- and sell-side) Strategies for M&A Introduction to Due Diligence Success Factors in Transactions: Takeover Strategies and Defence Tactics in Hostile M&A
Due Diligence (Module 2)
Fees:
$1,090.00
The Due Diligence module covers in detail: Financial Due Diligence Tax Due Diligence Legal Due Diligence Human Resource / HR Due Diligence other Due Diligence areas (e.g. Commercial Due Diligence, Antitrust Due Diligence, Environmental Due Diligence, IT Due Diligence, etc.)
Valuation (Module 3)
Fees:
$1,090.00
In the valuation module, you will explore Different Valuation Techniques for Mergers & Acquisitions: Various techniques such as Discounted Cash Flow (DFC) modelling, Transaction and Trading Multiples, and more Private Equity & Start Up Valuation Deal Financing & Payment Structure Deal Design & Structure explained step by step including a demonstration of building models in ... Read more
Running a Successful M&A Practice (Module 4)
Fees:
$1,090.00
This is the fourth module of the Mergers & Acquisitions Professional certificate program, participants will explore various aspects of how to run a successful M&A practice and projects. This is also a module that can be combined with the International M&A Expert training program, in order to earn both designations: the M&AP and IM&A.
M&AP Certificate ONLINE
Bundle & Save:
Original price was: $4,360.00.$3,290.00Current price is: $3,290.00.
Take the number one international M&A Professional program available worldwide online: Real world content developed and instructed by M&A practitioners Well structured and balanced content to succeed in transactions Largest number of experienced experts as instructors Materials specifically designed for online use You can complete the program part-time while working and without the need to ... Read more
Essentials of M&A (Module 1)
Fees:
$1,090.00
The Essentials of M&A module provides you with a solid foundation in M&A so you can deep dive in integration issues laster. This module covers: Various deal types M&A Process (buy- and sell-side) Strategies for M&A Introduction to Due Diligence Success Factors in Transactions: Takeover Strategies and Defence Tactics in Hostile M&A
Due Diligence (Module 2)
Fees:
$1,090.00
The Due Diligence module covers in detail: Financial Due Diligence Tax Due Diligence Legal Due Diligence Human Resource / HR Due Diligence other Due Diligence areas (e.g. Commercial Due Diligence, Antitrust Due Diligence, Environmental Due Diligence, IT Due Diligence, etc.)
Valuation (Module 3)
Fees:
$1,090.00
In the valuation module, you will explore Different Valuation Techniques for Mergers & Acquisitions: Various techniques such as Discounted Cash Flow (DFC) modelling, Transaction and Trading Multiples, and more Private Equity & Start Up Valuation Deal Financing & Payment Structure Deal Design & Structure explained step by step including a demonstration of building models in ... Read more
Running a Successful M&A Practice (Module 4)
Fees:
$1,090.00
This is the fourth module of the Mergers & Acquisitions Professional certificate program, participants will explore various aspects of how to run a successful M&A practice and projects. This is also a module that can be combined with the International M&A Expert training program, in order to earn both designations: the M&AP and IM&A.
No IOL events are scheduled at this time.
-
Bundle & Save
$4,380.00Original price was: $4,380.00.$4,112.50Current price is: $4,112.50. -
Bundle & Save
$6,560.00Original price was: $6,560.00.$5,757.50Current price is: $5,757.50. -
Bundle & Save
$6,560.00Original price was: $6,560.00.$5,757.50Current price is: $5,757.50.
On-Demand Learning at Your Fingertips
The M&A profession is evolving – are you? Train with the global #1 M&A institution trusted by top professionals. Gain cutting-edge expertise and stay ahead – anytime, anywhere.
Get Personalized Insights
Let’s talk about your goals and explore how we can help. No pressure, just valuable insights. Discover how professionals and organizations have leveraged our expertise to achieve real results – improving governance, streamlining processes, enhancing their skills, and ultimately driving transaction success. Get personalized insights how you can do the same!
A key value proposition of IMAA is the networking opportunities offered to enrich your M&A network, increase dealmaking, and advance your career.
Upcoming Events
M&AP Certificate ONLINE
Bundle & Save:
Original price was: $4,360.00.$3,290.00Current price is: $3,290.00.
Take the number one international M&A Professional program available worldwide online: Real world content developed and instructed by M&A practitioners Well structured and balanced content to succeed in transactions Largest number of experienced experts as instructors Materials specifically designed for online use You can complete the program part-time while working and without the need to ... Read more
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FAQs
Accreditation and Recognition
We are the global number #1 provider in M&A education. Participants sign up or companies send their employees in order to prepare for transactions or to enhance their qualification. Future employers reach out to us to check the credentials of candidates and their current status as a charterholder. Potential clients look to us to recommend advisors. We are a high quality provider and are recognized by many other institutions as a continued education provider. Find out more about our accreditations and recognition.
Comparison: Online vs. Onsite Program
| Feature | Online | Onsite |
| Real-life business cases |  | |
| All mandatory course materials included | | |
| Lifelong online access to most current content | | |
| 1-year Individual IMAA Membership | | |
| Start right away | | |
| On-Demand video lectures & direct tutoring | | |
| Full flexibility | | |
| No time constraint | | |
| Work from anywhere in the world | | |
| Different dates & locations worldwide | |
|
| Interactive discussions | |
|
| Networking with peers | |
|
| Complete the program in 6 days | |
|
| Meet face to face with faculty | |
How long does it take to complete the M&AP Certificate?
The M&AP Certification is designed as a part-time program for professionals. The total time of completion depends on your prior background and time you can devote to this. In total for the online program it may take about 50 hours of study. Our fastest participants complete it within 2 months.
More questions?
What is included in the fee?
Our tuition fees include all mandatory and recommended study materials. In addition you get access to our e-library.
When can I enroll for and start with the M&AP Certificate?
You can enroll at any time for the Certificate Program online and start right away. For our onsite M&A courses please check the dates and locations.
Can I take the M&A Certificate entirely online?
Yes, you can take the entire program online from anywhere in the world or while travelling. This is what many of our participants do. For the completion of the M&A Certification there is no physical attendance necessary. However, you can combine online with onsite workshops to reach your designation.
How many participants take your M&A programs?
Our courses and programs in Mergers & Acquisitions, Due Diligence, Valuation and Post Merger Integration (PMI) have taken by more than 2200 participants from all around the world.
What is the difference to other training providers?
We are the number #1 provider and set the standards. Compared with academic executive education offerings, our faculty members are not pure academics – they have closed M&A deals as professionals themselves. So you not only gain theoretical insights, but you will learn hands-on knowledge. Compared with for-profit providers, we are purely focused on M&A trainings and bring in a solid foundation, great structured approach to learning, and the international dimension – and we reinvest in improving our offering.
What is the difference to other certificate programs?
If you compare our programs with the CFA, CAIA, CIMA, or others – we are purely focused on M&A only and are very complementary to these programs. There is very little overlap among the content and insights that our programs provide. Most of them accept our program as continued education.
Where can I ask more questions about your M&A training?
If you have additional questions, please reach out to us via chat, contact form, or give us a call. We are looking forward to hearing from you and learn about your needs and questions.
Related Courses
This course dives deep into the entire M&A process- from strategy and valuation to execution and post merger integration (PMI).
CPMI prepares you for integration issues post-merger, starting with integration planning, up to governance and project management to implement the integration.
The certification dives into the nuts and bolts of the transaction journey—auditing, consulting, deal advisory, and including insights into running a successful M&A practice.
This certification covers the legal aspects of M&A, including best practices, legal contracts, tax considerations, and deal structuring in different geographies and jurisdictions.
HRM&A covers all aspects of the transaction process relevant to human resources, including strategy, due diligence, Post Merger Integration, and compensation benefits.
This training will provide you with the fundamentals of each approach to valuation, with limitations and caveats on the use of each, as well as extended examples in application.
