Viceroy, So how helpful are CFA Exams for this role in terms of a skill set and just resume in general? Thanks.
Dr.Mavashi01 Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Viceroy, > > So how helpful are CFA Exams for this role in > terms of a skill set and just resume in general? > Thanks. Lol, why do you bump this 1 year later and ask me of all people ? really, why ?
You have been chosen by the powers that be to be the next JDV. Cherish the role.
Viceroy Wrote: ------------------------------------------------------- > Dr.Mavashi01 Wrote: > -------------------------------------------------- > ----- > > Viceroy, > > > > So how helpful are CFA Exams for this role in > > terms of a skill set and just resume in > general? > > Thanks. > > > Lol, why do you bump this 1 year later and ask me > of all people ? > > really, why ? Because I want to move to internal M&A eventually, because I am new here, and because your wrote this: No I am not exagerating. Corporate development/corporate M&A guys are on the top of the food chain. Let leak for a few second that your company is contemplating to perform acquisitions and you’ll have a dozen pitches from IBs who want to advise you on the transaction, potential interesting targets, etc… Then you’ll have another dozen of PE guys who will want an exit on some investments and want to sell their @#$%& to you. You may also, depending on your company, have commercial bankers calling you to sell you financing for the transaction. Then you’ll have the Big 4s pitching you their Financial Due Diligence. Then the McKinseys of this world pitching you their strategy & integration crap. Point is that you won’t be pitching anybody except your board, and maybe eventually for financing. At least on the buy side. Yes, it is pretty much the top of the food chain in the corporate finance universe. Do enjoy it, you a$$hole 
Viceroy, Anyone ? … anyone? Bueller? Bueller ? Bueller … ?
^^^
To answer your question, CFA is largely a vote of confidence to the employer. Other than basic accounting and valuation theories, it is not useful in either sellside or buyside M&A. I list some reasons based on my observation (by no means exhaustive): 1). First and foremost, M&A is industry-specific and requires industry expertise. The knowledge required to understand and build a model in the oil industry is vastly different than say, consumer or technology companies. 2). Every M&A deal is different from another, depending on the company, where it is based, local accounting / regulatory rules, industry specific regulations, buyside or sellside, capital structure, etc. Obviously, the CFA does not touch on any of this… 3). M&A is more than a modeling / valuation exercise. It is an intricate, complex and dynamic process involving consultants, accountants, investment banks, lawyers, the buyer, the seller, public perception, and of course, negotiation tactics and intelligence… Okay, need to go now, hope it answers your question…