Mergers & Acquisitions Virtual Conference: Current Trends & Strategies
Overview
Following years of market volatility, the Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) landscape is stabilizing. However, capitalizing on today's environment requires navigating rapid structural shifts—from AI disruption and evolving tax regulations to private-credit dynamics and geopolitical uncertainty. Strategic dealmaking remains essential for organizations seeking to defend and expand their competitive advantage.
Designed for CPAs, accountants, finance, and tax professionals, the Mergers & Acquisitions Virtual Conference provides actionable strategies to mitigate risk, structure tax-efficient deals, and maximize transaction value. Join us to gain the critical insights needed to help your organization and clients successfully execute deals in an evolving market.
DAY ONE AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS
• M&A Market Outlook & Deal Trends
• Purchase Accounting, Fair Value & Earn-Out Challenges
• Advanced Financial Modeling & Deal Analytics
• Anti-Trust Considerations in Cross-Border Transactions
• Tax & Cross-Border M&A Considerations
DAY TWO AGENDA HIGHLIGHTS
• Data Privacy & Security in M&A
• Post-Merger Integration & Synergy Realization
• Tax Structuring Strategies
• State Tax, Nexus & Transaction Exposure
• Quality of Earnings: What Buyers Really Look For
Agenda
DAY ONE AGENDA
Welcome & Opening Remarks
8:45 – 9:00 AM
M&A Market Outlook & Deal Trends
9:00 – 10:15 AM
In this session, we examine current trends shaping the M&A landscape and the outlook for the strategic market. We will review key factors driving dealmaking and negotiation, including AI-driven software disruption, private-credit redemption stress, and geopolitical instability.
Break
10:15 – 10:20 AM
Purchase Accounting, Fair Value & Earn-Out Challenges
10:20 – 11:50 AM
This session explores how to determine whether a business combination or asset acquisition model is right for an M&A transaction, and why that classification matters. From there, we will address the mechanics of determining fair value, accounting for goodwill or bargain purchases, and navigating the complex earn-out challenges that routinely arise in modern M&A.
Lunch
11:50 AM – 12:35 PM
Advanced Financial Modeling & Deal Analytics
12:35 – 1:50 PM
M&A financial models are used to forecast the profits or losses of a potential merger or acquisition. In this session, you will learn about the nature of transaction considerations and how to structure an M&A model in the most efficient way. You will also learn about all of the assumptions and drivers required to build out the M&A model and how to create a post-transaction balance sheet. In addition, we will also review the role of business valuations in business combinations including different types of valuation models and how to apply them.
Break
1:50 – 1:55 PM
Anti-Trust Considerations in Cross-Border Transactions
1:55 – 3:10 PM
In this session, we will explore global merger controls across key jurisdictions, including the US, UK, and EU. This examination of the M&A process covers major shifts in regulatory enforcement, including the impact of key FTC litigation and evolving EU merger guidelines, while delivering practical strategies for managing antitrust risk in complex cross-border deals.
Break
3:10 – 3:15 PM
Tax & Cross-Border M&A Considerations
3:15 – 4:30 PM
Acquiring a foreign target carries significant tax and regulatory implications. In this session, we explore foreign entity classification, the tax consequences of cross-border acquisitions, treaty benefit optimization, and Permanent Establishment (PE) risks.
Closing Remarks
4:30 – 4:45 PM
DAY TWO AGENDA
Welcome & Opening Remarks
8:45 – 9:00 AM
Data Privacy & Security in M&A
9:00 – 10:15 AM
Data privacy and cybersecurity are critical drivers in modern transaction value. In this session, we explore how these factors shape deal structure, impact Due Diligence Questionnaires (DDQs), and influence integration protocols from signing through post-closing.
Break
10:15 – 10:20 AM
Post-Merger Integration & Synergy Realization
10:20 AM – 12:10 PM
In this session, we examine how to execute post-merger integration to preserve deal momentum and maximize value. We will cover establishing a strong Integration Management Office (IMO), deploying execution roadmaps, and realizing transaction synergies while navigating organizational change.
Lunch
12:10 – 12:55 PM
Tax Structuring Strategies
12:55 – 2:25 PM
In this session, we explore tax-efficient structuring strategies for stock deals, reverse mergers, dynamic payment frameworks, and post-purchase liquidations. We will also analyze taxable asset structuring, key considerations for 2026, and nonrecognition reorganizations.
Break
2:25 – 2:30 PM
State Tax, Nexus & Transaction Exposure
2:30 – 3:30 PM
Multistate operations introduce complex state-level tax liabilities. In this session, we dive into recent income tax nexus developments, remote workforce exposures, market-based sourcing trends, and state tax dynamics surrounding artificial intelligence and the digital economy.
Break
3:30 – 3:35 PM
Quality of Earnings: What Buyers Really Look For
3:35 – 4:50 PM
In this session, we examine practical financial due diligence, exploring how a Quality of Earnings (QoE) analysis differs from a standard audit. We will cover evaluating evidence to support purchase pricing, with a specific focus on normalizing EBITDA, cash conversion efficiency, working capital pegs, and debt-like items.
Closing Remarks
4:50 – 5:00 PM
Conference Ends
5:00 PM
Speakers
Stanton Burke, Associate Attorney, Gibson Dunn
Neal Eisenberg, Director, Business Planning & Analysis, Protiviti
Lauren Ferrante, Counsel, KTS Law
Lori Hellkamp, Partner, Jones Day
Tim Kadylak, Managing Director, BDO
Alvaro Lasa, Senior Manager, Mergers & Acquisitions, Protiviti
Steve Pet, Senior Associate, Gibson Dunn
Phoebe Rowson-Stevens, Associate Attorney, Gibson Dunn
Evan Shepherd, Of Council, Gibson Dunn
Kevin Wharton, Principal, BDO
Kevin Wilkes, Tax Principal, BDO
Bill Witt, Director, Highspring