Complete this M&A course to:

  • Effectively identify risks to the value drivers and bias in the deal model

  • Properly validate the investment thesis and identify synergy opportunities

  • Improve your understanding of advanced diligence techniques

Curriculum | M&A Diligence Master Class

Friday, April 28, 2023
10:00am - 4:30pm (CST)
Live Online 

Setting M&A diligence objectives and approach

  • Confirming the deal thesis and strategic rational
  • Evaluating the target's standalone forecast and synergy thesis
  • Methods for linking diligence with an end-to-end integration assessment
  • Mapping diligence phases, setting timelines, and structuring the team
  • Identifying positive and negative bias in diligence assessments
  • Adjusting the M&A diligence approach for various deal types

Quality of earnings diligence and risk identification methods 

  • Conducting commercial diligence including market and customer assessments
  • Evaluating sources of cash, seasonality, and operating / non-operating cash flows
  • Assessing recurring / non recurring revenues, AR, AP and inventory roll forward
  • Performing operational diligence including production, inventory, and supply chain
  • Evaluating culture, leadership, skills, and human capital assets and liabilities / risks
  • Reviewing regulatory and legal risks including litigation and change in control limitations
  • Technology assessments including IP ownership and quality of code
  • Accounting positions, audit quality, and financial governance
  • Tax positions and risk allocation
  • FCPA diligence methods

Advanced diligence techniques

  • Methods for assess scalability and post-close growth obstacles
  • Unlocking additional sources of value beyond the primary deal drivers
  • Applying diligence findings to the synergy model and integration plans
  • Identifying and addressing potential issues and risks in the diligence process
  • Using AI and M&A technology platforms to improve diligence
  • Institutionalizing key concepts and best practices

Upon completion you will receive 5.5 CLE credit hours (if applicable) and a Certificate of Completion.

M&A Diligence Master Class_Transaction Advisors Institute

You will also be invited to join a confidential discussion space for exchanging ideas, best practices, recommendations, and information with other M&A Master Class alumni.

Faculty | M&A Diligence Master Class

Kevin Hutchins is an adjunct professor at Santa Clara University’s Leavey School of Business where he teaches courses on mergers, acquisitions and restructuring for MBA and Masters of Finance programs. 

In addition, Professor Hutchins serves as Senior Vice President of Strategy and Corporate Development at Juniper Networks (NYSE: JNPR), where he is responsible for defining and enabling Juniper’s strategic corporate vision. This includes driving the company’s inorganic growth through strategic partnerships, venture investments and acquisitions/divestitures.

Prior to his career at Juniper, Hutchins held leadership roles in strategy, corporate development, and general management at IBM and Lockheed Martin.

He holds a BSc (Tau Beta Pi) from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, a Ph.D. from the University of Colorado, and an MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University.

He has been teaching for the Transaction Advisors Institute since 2019.


  • The M&A Diligence Master Class provided a wealth of knowledge, practical applications, and thought provoking questions around a key but often overlooked area in the transaction flow.

    Deal Lead, Corporate Development at Block

  • This M&A Master Class gave me the opportunity to build good habits and develop a network that I plan on utilizing for the rest of my career.

    M&A Analyst at Ingredion

YOU MIGHT ALSO CONSIDER


M&A Negotiation Master Class

This M&A Master Class focuses on negotiation best practices through faculty presentations, group discussions, and case studies.
Learn More
Transaction Advisors Institute M&A Negotiations