Merle Erickson
Professor of Accounting
Merle Erickson
Mergers and Acquisitions
Acquire the frameworks to evaluate risk and successfully navigate the M&A landscape.
Next Session
April 6-April 10, 2026
View All Dates
Location/Format
In-Person
Gleacher Center, Chicago
Investment Fee (in USD)
$12,500 USD
Questions? Connect with our enrollment advisors.
Next Session
April 6-April 10, 2026
View All Dates
Location/Format
In-Person
Gleacher Center, Chicago
Investment Fee (in USD)
$12,500 USD
Questions? Connect with our enrollment advisors.
Mergers and Acquisitions is a five-day interdisciplinary program that equips executives with the analytical frameworks and strategic tools needed to successfully navigate the entire deal cycle—from target identification and valuation to financing, restructuring, and post-merger integration.
What sets Booth’s program apart is its integrated approach. The curriculum weaves together financial, strategic, and tax perspectives—an essential combination in a global environment shaped by rapid technological change and increasing competitive pressure. Participants leave with a holistic, clear view of the levers that truly drive deal outcomes.
This program serves as an elective to:
By attending this program, you will explore key themes in:
M&A Strategy and Deal Design
- Formulate a strategic M&A plan aligned with organizational goals.
- Assess strategic alternatives such as alliances, joint ventures, or divestitures.
- Develop and validate deal theses that drive long-term value creation.
Valuation, Financing, and Tax Optimization
- Apply rigorous valuation techniques—including DCF, multiples, and LBOs—to assess deal value.
- Structure financing and capital strategies to support successful transactions.
- Design tax-efficient structures that optimize after-tax outcomes for buyers and sellers.
Due Diligence, Integration, and Value Protection
- Conduct thorough due diligence to evaluate risks, synergies, and cultural fit.
- Lead effective post-deal integration, aligning operations, strategy, and people.
- Protect and enhance shareholder value throughout the M&A lifecycle.
Best Practices and Applications
- Benchmark proven approaches from public corporations, private firms, and private equity.
- Apply a playbook of M&A best practices to your organization’s unique context.
Who Should Attend
Designed for mid- to senior-level executives are currently engaged in—or preparing to engage in—M&A activity as part of their organization’s growth strategy. Participants typically represent organizations navigating expansion, transformation, or portfolio diversification across industries.
Download the brochure for in-depth insights into who should attend, participant profiles, and the ideal candidate.
Meet the Faculty
At Booth, our distinguished faculty exemplify dedication and expertise, bringing deep passion to their teaching. Their steadfast commitment extends beyond traditional instruction, focusing on empowering every Executive Education participant, across all programs and global campuses, to achieve their professional and leadership goals.
Gregory D. Bunch
Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship
Gregory D. Bunch
Stephen Morrissette
Visiting Professor of Business Administration
Stephen Morrissette
John Burrows
Senior Lecturer
John BurrowsProgram Outline
Ahead of the Classroom Experience:
- Engage with essential readings and case studies curated by program faculty to prepare for in-depth classroom discussion and content.
- Strengthen your financial acumen and refresh key accounting concepts through targeted pre-coursework via professionally recorded videos led by Booth faculty.
- Examine mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, and alliances.
- Determine a business’s suitability for M&A activity.
- Analyze potential alternatives to M&A.
- Discover “quick wins” that can be implemented immediately.
- Explore valuation methods in evaluating M&A prospects.
- Understand how forecasting and capital structure influence M&A.
- Review an LBO transaction and financing structure.
- Analyze market reactions to M&A deals.
- Explore tax structures and their implications for buyers and sellers.
- Structure transactions for after-tax profitability.
- Understand the steps in corporate development and M&A.
- Gain the skills to identify and prioritize acquisition targets.
- Test and validate a potential deal thesis.
- Identify risk issues to be investigated in due diligence.
- Formulate a due diligence plan.
- Develop a strategy for successful integration.
- Prioritize shareholder value in post-merger integration.
- Explore considerations related to the post-M&A organization.
Start the Program with Confidence
This program incorporates a value-added pre-program preparation component that equips you with the core concepts and tools needed to maximize your learning experience. By completing this work in advance, you’ll arrive more confident, informed, and ready to apply new insights immediately.
Before stepping into the classroom, you’ll begin with a learning experience that lays the groundwork for your classroom time at Booth.
- Each faculty member curates a selection of case studies and readings to be explored ahead of the classroom experience, designed to deepen your understanding of key concepts and prepare you for rich, engaging discussions.
- Faculty Online Modules: Learn directly from Professor Haresh Sapra through a series of six online modules on Financial Accounting. These engaging, accessible sessions introduce critical principles that will support your in-class learning.
Pre-Classroom Experience: Prepare with 8–12 Hours of Coursework |
In-Person: Five Days in the Classroom |
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Build a strong foundation for your learning journey by completing 8–12 hours of readings, case studies, and self-paced online modules, before you step into the classroom. |
Transition to the classroom and be prepared to go further—applying frameworks and collaborating with peers. |
Past Participant Insights
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“I entered this program having been involved in deals where success seemed to happen by chance. Booth M&A provided me with the strategies and tools to replicate success in my important work.”
—Patrick Jones, SVP of Leadership & Equity, The Mind Trust
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“The program’s structure spans strategy, tax, valuation, and process—each taught through the lens of real-life experience from Booth faculty who have advised or executed major deals.Together, these elements provide a comprehensive framework for understanding the full deal lifecycle, from structuring and negotiation to execution and integration strategy.”
—Manuel Sanchez, Strategic Planning Manager, FEMSA
We recommend registering at least two weeks before the program start date to allow ample time for pre-program preparation. See Pre-Program Preparation for details.
Upcoming Sessions
Program dates are subject to change.
Download Brochure
Download the program brochure for in-depth insights on who should attend, a schedule preview, past participant profiles, location highlights, networking opportunities, and what to expect. When doing so, you’ll also receive an editable justification letter to help you make the case to your employer for your attendance.
All fields required.
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Frequently Asked Questions
In this section, you’ll find answers to frequently asked questions about Chicago Booth Executive Education programs.
Frequently Asked Questions