14 NOVEMBER 2023 / RACHEL ASPINALL


Spotlight on a Simulation: Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)

Introduction

Stephen Barnett, former investment Banker and teacher, outlines why he spearheaded the recently developed Mergers and Acquisitions simulation, what it entails, and why it's the perfect practical component to add to your Corporate Finance undergraduate or postgraduate programmes.
Stephen Barnett, former investment Banker and teacher, outlines why he spearheaded the recently developed Mergers and Acquisitions simulation, what it entails, and why it's the perfect practical component to add to your Corporate Finance undergraduate or postgraduate programmes.

Why did you develop this particular simulation?

Mergers and Acquisitions are a key component of the Corporate Finance suite we’ve developed at AmplifyME to offer institutions and their students the full 360-degree experience of the industry.
I did, however, draw from my own personal experience when developing this specific simulation.

When I left university, I ended up applying to a lot of roles in M&A, without really understanding what the role entailed, or the skillset required to thrive in these roles. The result: I was pretty out of my depth for the first year as I tried to build the skills and knowledge required to be a great analyst.

I would have loved to have taken a simulation that accurately reflected the job that I would end up starting my career in. This is why I developed the M&A simulation - to help students understand the role and upskill in preparation for interviews and bank assessments. Also, the simulations are accessible to all students - with very different backgrounds and CVs - scoring well during these simulations helps non-traditional students stand out as high potential.
Mergers and Acquisitions are a key component of the Corporate Finance suite we’ve developed at AmplifyME to offer institutions and their students the full 360-degree experience of the industry.
I did, however, draw from my own personal experience when developing this specific simulation.

When I left university, I ended up applying to a lot of roles in M&A, without really understanding what the role entailed, or the skillset required to thrive in these roles. The result: I was pretty out of my depth for the first year as I tried to build the skills and knowledge required to be a great analyst.
I would have loved to have taken a simulation that accurately reflected the job that I would end up starting my career in. This is why I developed the M&A simulation - to help students understand the role and upskill in preparation for interviews and bank assessments. Also, the simulations are accessible to all students - with very different backgrounds and CVs - scoring well during these simulations helps non-traditional students stand out as high potential.

What does the M&A simulation entail?

It's a two-hour simulation that launches students into the role of Junior Analyst working for a global investment bank. Students are tasked with preparing a financial model and pitch deck in preparation for a high-pressure meeting with a list company’s CFO.

Students are responsible for preparing a three-statement model, using traditional forecasting methods seen in Investment Banking. Next, students work through a series of valuation exercises, including preparing a discounted cashflow, to arrive at a valuation price range for the in-focus company.

Students then use the Excel model they have built to prepare a pitch deck, selling the bank’s services and their valuation analysis to a potential client. Students are then auto-graded based on the correctness of their financial models and quality of their pitch deck submissions.Although challenging, AmplifyME’s M&A simulations are accessible, with video tutorials throughout each stage of the simulation.

Simulations range from introductory (no financial experience) through to advanced (MSC Finance and MBA level) and can be as short as two hours, or a multi-day experience.
It's a two-hour simulation that launches students into the role of Junior Analyst working for a global investment bank. Students are tasked with preparing a financial model and pitch deck in preparation for a high-pressure meeting with a list company’s CFO.

Students are responsible for preparing a three-statement model, using traditional forecasting methods seen in Investment Banking. Next, students work through a series of valuation exercises, including preparing a discounted cashflow, to arrive at a valuation price range for the in-focus company.

Students then use the Excel model they have built to prepare a pitch deck, selling the bank’s services and their valuation analysis to a potential client. Students are then auto-graded based on the correctness of their financial models and quality of their pitch deck submissions.Although challenging, AmplifyME’s M&A simulations are accessible, with video tutorials throughout each stage of the simulation.

Simulations range from introductory (no financial experience) through to advanced (MSC Finance and MBA level) and can be as short as two hours, or a multi-day experience.

How does it complement undergraduate and postgraduate programmes?

We work alongside programme directors and professors to ensure that we complement core elements of Finance, Business and MBA programmes.

The Corporate Finance simulations, which cover M&A, IPOs, Private Equity and Equity Research can be used as an assessment tool, helping the department get high quality, comparable grading corresponding to different areas of a Corporate Finance module.

The simulations can also be used as part of an introduction to the course or specifical Corporate Finance module, preparing students for the academic work they are about to undertake.
The simulations can be woven into a Corporate Finance module, or MSc Finance programme, providing regular real-world workshops and assessments, to complement the very best Finance courses.

Finally, the simulations can be packaged together to form a 2,3- or 5-day bootcamp. Taken at the end of a semester, or the academic year, the bootcamp aims to turbocharge students' employability for roles in finance.
We work alongside programme directors and professors to ensure that we complement core elements of Finance, Business and MBA programmes.

The Corporate Finance simulations, which cover M&A, IPOs, Private Equity and Equity Research can be used as an assessment tool, helping the department get high quality, comparable grading corresponding to different areas of a Corporate Finance module.

The simulations can also be used as part of an introduction to the course or specifical Corporate Finance module, preparing students for the academic work they are about to undertake.

The simulations can be woven into a Corporate Finance module, or MSc Finance programme, providing regular real-world workshops and assessments, to complement the very best Finance courses.

Finally, the simulations can be packaged together to form a 2,3- or 5-day bootcamp. Taken at the end of a semester, or the academic year, the bootcamp aims to turbocharge students' employability for roles in finance.