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We'll teach you how deal structuring usually boils down to...

one main driver of value creation.
minimizing tax impact for key stakeholders.
understanding how everyone screws up proper exit multiple.
getting Sources and Uses correct.

Recap, Buy, Sell, Merge or Go Private?

Super-Advanced Models

Handle any deal structure and scenarios that come your way.

It's All About Taxes!

90% of deal structuring is tax-related; we’ll show you the implications.

Properly Quantify Returns

Understand accretion/dilution and IRRs in the context of the transaction.

Who needs this?

Professionals in (or looking to transition into) these fields:

Banking M&A Private Equity CFO Corporate Finance

… in other words, any and all dealmakers.

  • Calculate breakevens and minimum price levels for any deal
  • Avoid mistakes that most PE firms get wrong in their IRR modeling
  • Master the art of deal structuring to satisfy concerns of all parties

Course Sections

Section 1

M&A Deal Structuring

Know the common deal structures, then determine the optimal ones based on cash vs. stock and stock vs. asset.

Account for accretion/dilution and perform a breakeven analysis for the deal.

Section 2

Merger Modeling

Model out accretion/dilution scenarios, Ability to Pay, and a pro forma combination of two full sets of financial statements.

For you advanced folks: dive deeper into Sources & Uses, FASB 141/142 and IFRS 3, tax liabilities, and more detailed synergies estimates.

Section 3

LBO Structuring

Why should a company go private?

Review all the considerations: valuation, debt capacity, sources & uses of funds, the all-important capital structure, LBO accounting, and more.

Section 4

LBO Modeling

Create a quick & dirty LBO model including the resulting pro forma income statement, cash flow/debt sweep, and basic credit/leverage statistics.

For you advanced folks: expand on the Sources & Uses, simulated Cash Flow Statement, debt sweep (including a term loan), and IRR analysis for financial sponsors.

Training Methodology

Our approach is to teach you how to fish, rather than give you a fish.

We don't give a one-way lecture where you memorize every cell and formula.

We nudge you toward uncovering answers on your own by leading with the right questions.

The end result? Longer-term knowledge retention that will last an entire career.

I really felt that WST was world class and would recommend it to anyone starting a new career on Wall Street. In particular, the strength of the program is that it concentrates on how analytical work is actually conducted in real life rather than the academic approach of some other competitors.
You'll walk out of this class knowing how to:
  • Fully construct dynamic M&A and LBO templates
  • Bridge the gap between historical results and pie-in-the-sky projections
  • Handle the entire spectrum of maximizing value-add to shareholders
  • Internalize and quantify capital structure manipulation and arbitrage
Not bad for a few days' work.

Get Started

Detailed Curriculum

Package 5: Merger Modeling Topics

The goals of this course include: (i) understand the major steps and timelines of M&A; (ii) learn how to structure an M&A deal; (iii) explore common deal structures and determine optimal deal structures such as cash vs. stock consideration, stock vs. asset deals; and (iv) accretion / dilution and breakeven analysis. This course provides the fundamental knowledge required to understand, analyze and structure mergers & acquisitions. To hone the concepts learned in this module, be sure to follow-up with our hands-on, Excel-based Merger Modeling Basics course.

Mergers & Acquisitions Overview
  • Motivations for mergers and acquisitions
  • M&A sale process and timetable
  • Review of strategic planning & preparation of required materials
  • Examination of the types of potential buyers
  • Description of the due diligence process
  • Overview of negotiation & closing processes
  • Overview of representations and warranties
M&A Deal Structuring
  • Review of various deal considerations and deal structuring options (cash vs. stock)
  • Common structural issues in a transaction (stock vs. asset, 338(h)(10) elections)
  • Buyer and seller preferences for various deal structures and rationale
  • Tax implications of transactions based on deal structure and FASB 142 goodwill amortization
  • Brief discussion of upfront vs. deferred payments, employee retention and bonus pools
Accretion Dilution Analysis
  • Merger consequence analysis including accretion / dilution and financial implications of a deal
  • Discussion of key components with financial impact on transactions
  • Detailed explanation and analysis of line-by-line construction of accretion / dilution model
  • Analysis of breakeven PE for both 100% stock and 100% cash considerations
  • Contribution analysis and its relevant in the analytical process
Prerequisites
  • Accounting & Financial Statements Integration
  • Company Profiles
  • Corporate Valuation Methodologies
Video Length / Estimated Total Course Time

2 hours / 2.5 hours

This merger modeling course builds on top of our M&A Deal Structuring course in which you will build an accretion / dilution merger consequences model. This foundational merger modeling course will allow you to quickly understand the fundamental concepts of analyzing merger implications. To maximize your learning in this module, you need to absolutely understand the concepts in our M&A Deal Structuring course! This course serves as the backdrop to our Basic and Advanced Merger as well as our Super-advanced, Complex merger modeling course.

Accretion Dilution Modeling
  • Build dynamic merger consequence analysis (accretion / dilution) incorporating the following:
  • Synergies switch, cash vs. stock sensitivity
  • Amortization of goodwill switch (depending on purchase price allocation)
  • Common structural issues: Stock vs asset deals and 338 (h)(10) elections
  • Tax implications of transactions based on deal structure and FASB 142 goodwill amortization
  • Analysis of breakeven PE for both 100% stock and 100% cash considerations
  • Calculate pre-tax and after-tax synergies / cushion required to breakeven
Video Length / Estimated Total Course Time

0.6 hour / 0.75 hour

Further enhance core integrated financial model by building a detailed tax schedule incorporating NOLs (Net Operating Losses), Section 382 limitations on NOL usage and differences between book and tax depreciation. Dive deep into re-calculating depreciation for tax purposes based on accelerated depreciation - MACRS (Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System) in the US. Incorporate and flow the accelerated tax depreciation into the larger tax schedule to account for differences in GAAP Pre-Tax Income and Taxable Income. Finish up with a quick Residual Income analysis and EVA (Economic Value Added) analysis, which complements our Enhancements Part I course.

Accretion Dilution Model
  • Build dynamic merger consequence analysis (accretion / dilution) incorporating the following:
  • Synergies switch, cash vs. stock sensitivity
  • Amortization of goodwill switch (depending on purchase price allocation)
  • Common structural issues: Stock vs asset deals and 338 (h)(10) elections
  • Tax implications of transactions based on deal structure and FASB 142 goodwill amortization
  • Analysis of breakeven PE for both 100% stock and 100% cash considerations
  • Calculate pre-tax and after-tax synergies / cushion required to breakeven
Ability to Pay Analysis
  • Construct an "Ability to Pay" Analysis, a reverse Accretion / Dilution analysis
  • Calculate maximum equity value and enterprise value based on cost of debt
  • Sensitize analysis based on interest rates and pre-tax synergy assumptions
Simple Merger Model
  • Construct a merger model, simple combination of Income Statement for target and acquiror
  • Project simple stand-alone Income Statement for both target and acquiror
  • Analyze selected balance sheet figures and ratios and multiples
  • Estimate target valuation and deal structure
  • Calculate selected Pro Forma balance sheet items
  • Combine target and acquiror's Income Statement and estimated synergies
  • Calculate cash flow for debt repayments to estimate debt repayments and cash balances
  • Compute interest expense and interest income based on paydowns
  • Calculate accretion / dilution and credit ratios
Prerequisites
  • Accounting & Financial Statements Integration
  • Corporate Valuation Methodologies
  • Company Overview
  • Basic Financial Modeling
  • Advanced Financial Modeling - Core Model
  • M&A Deal Structuring
  • Efficiency in Excel
Video Length / Estimated Total Course Time

1.5 hours / 2.5 hours

Our Intermediate/Advanced Merger Modeling course significantly builds upon our Merger Modeling Basics course. We go beyond the simple concepts of accretion /dilution and build additional precision into estimating the correct, pro forma combined earnings. First, enhance the Sources & Uses of Funds to allow for additional clarity in deal structure. Then, dive right into the fine details of the complex FASB 141/142 and IFRS 3 purchase price allocation rules and fair market value tangible assets step-up intertwined with intangibles asset allocation. We tackle and quantify the resulting nuances in deferred tax liabilities and better quantify our synergies estimates. Participants should have mastered the merger concepts and financial modeling techniques covered in our M&A Deal Structuring and Merger Modeling Basics course.

Construct a merger model, simple combination of Income Statement for target and acquiror
  • Project simple stand-alone Income Statement for both target and acquiror
  • Analyze selected balance sheet figures and ratios and multiples
  • Estimate target valuation and deal structure
Build an expanded Sources and Uses of Funds analysis that controls the merger model
  • Utilize cash from the acquiror to fund the merger, balanced with minimum cash balances
  • Dynamically handle different percent cash and stock deal structures
  • Incorporate target net debt refinanced / assumed
  • Calculate and incorporate proper treatment of debt financing fees and transaction costs
Merge target and acquiror income statements and calculate starting balance sheet items
  • Calculate selected Pro Forma balance sheet items (full B.S. not projected)
  • Combine target and acquiror's Income Statement
  • Estimate various types of synergies - revenue, COGS and SG&A synergies
Estimate condensed Cash Flow Statement and simplified Debt Sweep
  • Calculate cash flow for debt repayments to estimate debt repayments and cash balances
  • Compute interest expense and interest income based on paydowns
  • Calculate accretion / dilution and credit ratios
Calculation of Purchase Price Allocation (FASB 141/142 and IFRS 3)
  • Allocate purchase price among tangible book value (existing assets at cost), step-up in basis to FMV, tax deductible and non-tax deductible identifiable intangibles and goodwill
  • Proper accounting treatment of transaction costs, tender costs and accrued interest of any refinanced debt and debt transaction financing fees
  • Account for differences in GAAP book deductibility and tax deductibility of intangible assets
  • Build in the ability to treat acquisitions as an asset sale for tax treatment
Prerequisites
  • Basic Financial Modeling
  • M&A Deal Structuring
  • Merger Modeling Basics
  • Efficiency in Excel
Video Length / Estimated Total Course Time

2.5 hours / 4 hours

Package 6: Leveraged Buyout Modeling

This course provides a basic overview and introduction to leveraged buyouts, including discussion of rationale for ‘going private’, ideal LBO candidate, drivers of value. The following items are discussed, including description, importance, implications and general thoughts on: valuation, debt capacity, scenario analysis, sources & uses of funds, rollover equity, pro forma capital structure, purchase vs. recap accounting, goodwill treatment and other issues. You will gain some basic & fundamental knowledge required to understand LBO transactions. The purpose of this course is to introduce some of the terminology and concepts required for our Quick & Dirty LBO Modeling and Complex LBO Modeling courses.

  • Valuation Summary
  • Maximum Debt Capacity
  • Refinancing Scenarios
  • Expenses - Definitions and Accounting Treatment
  • Sources and Uses of Funds
  • Equity Sources and Rollover Equity
  • Interest Rate Scenarios
  • Pro Forma Capital Structure
  • Purchase Accounting vs. Recapitalization Accounting
  • Goodwill Calculation / Treatment and Amortization (FASB 141/142)
  • Pro Forma Opening Balance Sheet & Adjustments
  • Pro Forma Shareholder's Equity Treatment
  • Cash Flow Statement and Debt Sweep Adjustments and Expansion
Prerequisites
  • Accounting & Financial Statements Integration
  • Finance 101: Introduction to Finance
  • Corporate Valuation Methodologies
Video Length / Estimated Total Course Time

1 hour / 1 hour

In the normal course of running a company, the CFO must balance capital requirements with capital sources of funds. Changes to the capital structure are not insignificant as each component of capital has an opportunity cost. In this course, we introduce the impact of changes in capital structure and the resulting impact on a company’s decision to borrow vs. raise equity. We quantify the thought process and the logic that dictates one or the other by examining both extremes of capital structure changes: from a simple small share repurchase to the opposite spectrum, the leveraged buyout. This class examines and incorporates all the major inputs and value drivers of capital structure changes by building a short, quick and dirty LBO analysis, providing an excellent condensed overview and introduction to LBO modeling. As LBOs are risky and complex financial transactions, sometimes, building a full-out, complex LBO model is not necessary or required if one just wants to quickly gauge the feasibility of an LBO.

Learning Objectives
  • Discussion on leveraged buyouts, including overview, rationale, ideal candidate and drivers of value
  • Construct and sensitize a basic, quick and dirty, leveraged buyout model
  • Incorporate fundamental drivers including Sources & Uses, Pro Forma, post-LBO projections, available cash flow, debt sweep, credit ratios and IRR
Learning Goals
  • Drivers of value from a financial point of view and changes in capital structure
    • Comparison to share repurchases and the lack of value creation
    • Counter argument of cost of capital, funding costs and opportunity costs arbitrage
    • Counter-counter argument of weighted average cost of capital changes
    • Final assessment of source of returns of LBOs
    • We first introduce the obvious rationales, then prove why that is wrong, then disproof the proof and disprove that and disprove that and finally agree on how corporate finance and the capital markets extract value from capital structure arbitrage
    • In short, participants might be thoroughly confused at first, but will finally understand every aspect of the value proposition by the time we are done!
  • Discussion on LBOs, including: overview of LBO's, rationale for going private, ideal LBO candidate
  • Create a quick and dirty, condensed LBO model from scratch
  • Build a summary Sources and Uses of Funds analysis that dictates LBO value
  • Construct a Pro Forma, post-LBO Income Statement projection model incorporating LBO changes
  • Calculate cash flow available to firm through simplified debt sweep pay off high debt volumes
  • Create condensed IRR (internal rate of return) analysis to evaluate financial sponsor returns
    • Comparison of IRR to multiple of capital as a return metric and benchmark
    • Identify true source of returns, from building of equity to time value of money
    • Compare and contrast returns trends based on exit multiple contraction or expansion
    • Discussion on why highly levered transactions must exit within 3 to 5 years
    • Analyze and partially quantify the trend towards dividends to financial sponsor as opposed to debt paydown
  • Analyze basic credit and leverage statistics and equity sources that drive the LBO model
Prerequisites
  • Accounting & Financial Statements Integration
  • Corporate Valuation Methodologies
  • Company Overview
  • Basic Financial Modeling
  • Advanced Financial Modeling - Core Model
  • M&A Deal Structuring
  • Merger Modeling Basics
  • LBO Overview
  • Efficiency in Excel
Video Length / Estimated Total Course Time

1 hour / 1.5 hours

Further enhance core integrated financial model by building a detailed tax schedule incorporating NOLs (Net Operating Losses), Section 382 limitations on NOL usage and differences between book and tax depreciation. Dive deep into re-calculating depreciation for tax purposes based on accelerated depreciation - MACRS (Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery System) in the US. Incorporate and flow the accelerated tax depreciation into the larger tax schedule to account for differences in GAAP Pre-Tax Income and Taxable Income. Finish up with a quick Residual Income analysis and EVA (Economic Value Added) analysis, which complements our Enhancements Part I course.

  • Build an expanded Sources and Uses of Funds analysis that dictates LBO value
  • Sources of Funds: inclusion of rollover equity, detailed debt structure & maximizing debt capacity
  • Uses of Funds: ability to toggle refinancing of existing debt, excess cash usage, proper treatment of debt financing fees, tender costs and transaction costs
  • Construct a Pro Forma, post-LBO Income Statement projection model incorporating LBO changes
  • Calculate new, Pro Forma interest expense and amortization of debt financing fees
  • Calculate cash flow available to firm through expanded debt sweep pay off high debt volumes
  • Constructed simulated Cash Flow Statement, including CFO, CFI and CFF
  • Expanded Debt Sweep schedule to flow through various debt items
  • Incorporate Term Loan mandatory amortization and dynamic pre-payment
  • Integrate and sweep through additional new and existing debt tranches
  • Create condensed IRR (internal rate of return) analysis to evaluate financial sponsor returns
  • Comparison of IRR to multiple of capital as a return metric and benchmark
  • Identify true source of returns, from building of equity to time value of money
  • Compare and contrast returns trends based on exit multiple contraction or expansion
  • Discussion on why highly levered transactions must exit within 3 to 5 years
  • Analyze and partially quantify the trend towards dividends to financial sponsor as opposed to debt paydown
  • Triangulate IRR when there are unequal cash flow returns to equity sponsor primarily through dividends
  • Analyze basic credit and leverage statistics and equity sources that drive the LBO model
Prerequisites
  • Basic Financial Modeling
  • Advanced Financial Modeling - Core Model
  • M&A Deal Structuring
  • Merger Modeling Basics
  • LBO Overview
  • Quick & Dirty LBO Modeling
  • Efficiency in Excel
Video Length / Estimated Total Course Time

2.5 hours / 4 hours

Package: Super-Complex M&A/LBO Modeling

The goal of this course is quite simple and yet extremely complex in implementation: build an all-out, full combination and merger analysis of target and acquirer company, integrating full projection model for both. This course will allow you to build one of the most dynamic, sophisticated and complex merger models out there, slapping together complete Income Statement, Balance Sheet, Cash Flow Statement, brand new, highly complex Debt Sweep and Interest schedule for the two companies and combined merged entity. Determine deal structure, purchase price allocation and tax deductibility, accretion / dilution and a whole host of issues.

Learning objectives include: (i) calculate Sources & Uses of Funds, post-transaction ownership, accretion / dilution; (ii) combine Target and Acquiror Income Statements and incorporate synergies into pro forma merger model; (iii) calculate pro forma, post-transaction opening Balance Sheet and project future combined Balance Sheet; (iv) derive combined Cash Flow Statement, dept sweep & interest schedule to balance and integrate model.

The core LBO model serves as the beginning model for the target company in this Complex, Super-Advanced Merger Modeling course and as such, you must have completed the Complex LBO Modeling course first to have the model!

Merger Summary & Sensitivity Options
  • Sensitize deal structure options, including stock & cash consideration
  • Construct Sources & Uses of Funds including various financing scenarios and ability to refinance any existing debt and utilize existing excess cash to fund acquisition
  • Calculate correct transaction value incorporating economic effect of management options
  • Calculate post-transaction ownership summary
  • Allocate purchase price among tangible book value (existing assets at cost), step-up in basis to FMV, tax deductible identifiable intangibles, non-tax deductible identifiable intangibles and goodwill
  • Proper accounting treatment of transaction costs, tender costs and accrued interest of any refinanced debt and debt transaction financing fees
  • Account for differences in GAAP book deductibility and tax deductibility of intangible assets
  • Build ability to treat acquisitions as an asset sale for tax treatment Line-by-line combination of Target & Acquiror Income Statements including revenue and expense synergies and correctly depreciation and amortization of assets from purchase price allocation analysis
  • Calculate pro forma, post-transaction EPS, accretion / dilution analyst and pre-tax synergies / cushion required to breakeven
  • Project tax levels, incorporating permanent differences in book vs. tax deductibility of intangible assets
  • Combine Target & Acquiror Balance Sheets and perform transaction adjustment entries to calculate pro forma opening Balance Sheet
  • Calculate projected Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Statement of combined merged company
  • Analyze & construct complex debt schedule to sweep through mandatory & discretionary debt payments
  • Ability to dynamically pay down tranches of Target & Acquiror's debt and new debt raised
  • Calculate pro forma and projected credit & leverage statistics and automatically evaluate debt ratings of merged company
Prerequisites
  • Accounting & Financial Statements Integration
  • Company Profiles and Corporate Valuation Methodologies
  • Company Overview and Basic Financial Modeling
  • Advanced Financial Modeling - Core Model & Enhancements
  • M&A Deal Structuring and Merger Modeling Basics
  • LBO Overview and Quick & Dirty LBO Model
  • Complex LBO Model & Enhancements
  • Super extreme efficiency in Excel
Video Length / Estimated Total Course Time

5 hours / 10 hours

Layer a complex LBO model on top core standalone projection model and build one of the most dynamic, sophisticated and complex LBO models out there. This is a highly complex and a very advanced modeling class and requires an absolute grasp of all basic and advanced accounting and financial concepts. Your finished LBO model will be a highly versatile and functional financial model able to capture and sensitize a great deal of inputs to project a realistic and more precise outcome including the ability to toggle between status quo, standalone model vs. all-out LBO vs. partial recap. The core LBO model serves as the beginning model for the target company in our Complex, Super-Advanced Merger Modeling course.

Significantly enhance the LBO model by incorporating the following: PIKs (Paid-In-Kind), warrants and partial, less than 100% recapitalization. Further modify LBO model for mezzanine debt, non-cash interest, issue warrants and modify equity acquired. Incorporate all enhancements into end-all IRR analysis by significantly scaling out returns calculation via massive triangulation of cash flows.

Standalone Projection Model
  • Build standalone, fully-integrated projection model that serves as the core model for the LBO model and to check final LBO model against status quo, no transaction scenario.
  • Mirrors our Advanced Financial Modeling - Core Model course
LBO Summary
  • Layer LBO model on top by modifying core standalone projection model
  • Build the ever-so-critical "LBO Summary" page that controls all the drivers and inputs of the LBO model: valuation metrics, maximum debt capacity, Sources and Uses of Funds
  • Sensitize the LBO with the following options: recapitalization vs. purchase accounting, interest rate scenarios, refinancing scenarios
  • Incorporate proper accounting treatment of expenses (debt transaction financing fees, tender costs and transactions costs)
  • Calculate equity sources and rollover equity and financial implications
  • Create Pro Forma capital structure and opening balance sheet incorporating transaction adjustments
  • Calculate goodwill incorporating the FAS 141 and 142 goodwill amortization rules
  • Toggle between various LBO scenarios and no transaction for valuation purposes
Balance Sheet & Cash Flow Statement Adjustments
  • Translate LBO summary and deal structure into Pro Forma Opening Balance Sheet
  • Balance Sheet adjustments include: cash changes, goodwill, capitalization of expenses, debt and capital structure modifications
  • Properly calculate and incorporate Pro Forma Shareholder's Equity treatment
  • Cash Flow Statement modifications including updating existing share repurchase and dividends model
Expanded Debt Sweep and IRR
  • Debt Sweep expansion including integrating and sweeping additional debt tranches
  • Expand debt sweep to account for new debt issued and discretionary cash flow recapture
  • Construct credit & leverage ratios and automate credit ratings
  • Create IRR (internal rate of return) analysis to evaluate financial sponsor returns
  • Complete complex LBO model with Status Quo, standalone model vs. all-out LBO toggle
  • Introduce enhancements and complications into your LBO model to account for various transaction structures and more complex securities typically issued in an LBO transaction.
  • Incorporate mezzanine securities with PIKs (paid-in-kind)
  • Account for dilution due to warrants attached to preferred securities
  • Enhance LBO model to dynamically incorporate recapitalizations (vs. full LBOs)
  • Properly modify and significantly expand IRR analysis to include effect of enhancements
Prerequisites
  • Accounting & Financial Statements Integration
  • Company Profiles and Corporate Valuation Methodologies
  • Company Overview and Basic Financial Modeling
  • Advanced Financial Modeling - Core Model & Enhancements
  • M&A Deal Structuring and Merger Modeling Basics
  • LBO Overview and Quick & Dirty LBO Model
  • Super extreme efficiency in Excel
Video Length / Estimated Total Course Time

8.5 hours / 10 hours

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