HR Mergers & Acquisitions Expert (HRM&A)

Fees & Key Facts about HR M&A Trainings
- Onsite and Virtual Live: 30 hours; Online: approx. 60 hours
- Leading faculty from academia and the industry
- Split into four, easy-to-digest modules
- Content updated regularly
- Prerequisite: Hold an academic degree (e.g. PhD, JD, DBA, MBA or Bachelor Degree); and/or hold one or more professional designations (such as CPA, CFA, CAIA or equivalent)
- Online Program $3’290 USD
- Virtual Live Program $4’390 USD
- Onsite Program $5’490 USD

Included
- Life-long access to the most up-to-date online course content*
- Onsite programs include hard copies of all presentations and materials
- HRM&A Charter and Designation upon completion
- First year of Annual Membership Fee
- Access to the entire IMAA e-Library
- Global network of charterholders and experts
- Continued Education / Continued Professional Development: 10 hours bi-annually of relevant online or onsite education provided by IMAA (online CE/CPD included in the annual membership fee)
What to Expect From HR M&A Certification
The HR specialization is geared towards individuals who are looking to further develop their understanding of the HR function and its significance during pre-deal or the post-merger integration phase. The program content offers best practices which were developed by our distinguished faculty members after decades of experience in managing HR related projects in corporate and consulting roles
Recognize potential roadblocks and identify solutions to prepare for the challenges HR practitioners face during a transaction including labor law and legal challenges, culture, change management, communication issues and more.
Learn how the human resources function plays a critical role in determining the outcome of strategic financial, and operational goals of the deal.
Identify and drive HR’s strategic value during the pre-close planning, integration, and transformation phases of the transaction.
Included In The HR M&A Course
The HRM&A program is structured in four modules based on our HRM&A Framework and Body of Knowledge:
This module covers the fundamentals of Mergers & Acquisitions:
- Deal types: What are the different types of transactions that you can use in M&A? There is a whole
range of deal types and deal continuum that we look at, e.g. the full spectrum from minority stakes to full
acquisitions, various ways to arrange a merger, leveraged buy outs (LBOs), initial public offerings (IPOs),
divestitures, spin-offs, equity carve-outs- - M&A Process: The program covers both perspectives from a buyer’s perspective (buy side) and from a
seller’s perspective (sell-side). We explore how to seek buyers or potential targets (long list & short list)
and how to run a sale in various ways (negotiations and auctions). - Strategies for M&A: We dive into the strategies for Megers & Acquisitions. How can you create
competitive advantage through M&A, diverstitures and equity alliance? - M&A Negotiation: How can you prepare for the negotiation phase? What are ways to arrange a value
creating deal? - Introduction to Due Diligence: How do you prepare for and execute a smart Due Diligence to assure value
creation? What are the different areas that can be covered in the Due Diligence process? - Success Factors in Transactions: We explore the success factors and key challenges and mistakes to avoid.
Which M&A tactics work in which industries? - Takeover Strategies and Defence Tactics: How can you prepare your company against a hostile takeover
attempt and reduce potential threats? Which are the defence mechansims that you can put into place and how affective
are they? Which ways exist to acquire a business successfully in a hostile way?
Learning Outcomes for Essentials of M&A
- Understand the different methods companies can acquire or merge another firm
- Distinguish between Management Buy Outs and Management Buy Ins
- Differentiate between spin-off, split-off & carve-outs
- Classify horizontal & vertical mergers
- Identify different strategies companies use to exit investments
- Classify types of tender offers and what constitutes them
- Analyze and compare different ownership shapes & structures
- Identify growth factors in M&A transactions
- Structure & manage M&A portfolios
- Identify value adding factors in M&A
- Identify value destroying factors
- Analyze various success measurement test & methods
- Classify drivers of profitability in M&A
- Analyze historical M&A waves and their driving factors
- Identify factors in Cross Border M&A activity
- European, Emerging markets, based on regions
- Evaluate historically largest deals
- Define characteristics of M&A waves
- Understand the buy and sell side process, covering both the traditional and holistic view
- Distinguish between the role of advisors and working with them in an M&A setting
- Establish framework for potential target buyer and seller searches
- Identifying relevant industries, companies, locations, financial advisors
- Preparing long and short lists
- How do M&A deals originate and the deal flow
- Discuss necessary agreements and documents in M&A deals
- Construct due diligence plans and activities
- Conducting and updating findings over the transaction lifecycle
- Organizing due diligence teams and data room management
- Identify various areas that require due diligence runs
- Conduct due diligence in a cross-border setting
- Create a minimalistic due diligence
- Identify warning signs in due diligence results
- Judge past and present takeovers battles
- Analyze takeover attacks and strategies for defense
In the Due Diligence module, we discuss the key questions and topics to address in a due dilligence. It covers the following areas of DD in depth:
- Financial Due Diligence
- Tax Due Diligence
- Legal Due Diligence
- Human Resources (HR) Due Diligence
- Commercial Due Diligence and
- other Due Diligence areas
Learning Outcomes for Due Diligence
- Determine potential deal breakers, negotiations and quality of earnings
- Differentiate between a DD and an audit
- Recognize tax exposures and liabilities
- Analyze different types of taxes
- Structure transactions
- Analyzing current and future liabilities
- Selecting the right legal counsel
- Legal and contractual obstacles
- Analyzing employment contracts, compensation & labor agreements
- Conducting a cultural due diligence
- Running a management audit
- Conceptual & general tools for industry analysis
- Analyze current and potential customers
- Conduct a product and technology portfolio analysis
The Post Merger Integration module gives you a thorough introduction into the following aspects:
- Integration Governance: Project Management and Work Stream coordination
- Synergies: Identification of Growth and Cost Synergies and their realization
- Function Integration: How to integrate the different business functions, e.g. Sales & Marketing,
Finance, HR, etc. - Change Management and Cultural Issues: How to deal with differences and success with Communication and
Change Management.
Learning Outcomes for Post Merger Integration (PMI)
- Identify the major challenges in PMI
- Determine the success factors in PMI
- Integrate due diligence findings with PMI planning
- Evaluate reasons for failure in PMI
- Devise a timeline for integration planning
- Adapt to speed, based on deal size and goals
- Strategy creation for achieving quick-wins
- Create integration teams and coordinate with Integration Management Office
- Create temporary task forces and coordinate with the IMO
- Examples of PMI organizational structures
- Identify correct communications timings and channels
- Establish a plan for day 1
- Understand the guidelines for internal communication
- Plan and prepare for change management
- Recommend processes to facilitate change and communication
- Prepare tools for change management
- Classify channels for communication
- Methods to maximize value after acquisition
- Analyzing acquisition climate and target resistance
- Recognize the directions of integration
- Recognize the dependence of acquisition strategy and degree of integration
- Identify various integration phases
- Determine steps to deal with integration phases
- Coordinate with the IMO and steering committee
- Determine the extent of integration
- Maintain day-to-day business operation in parallel with integration activities
- Identify immediate synergies & quick wins
- Recognize key customer journeys
- Identify long term synergies and goals
- Achieve synergies
- Devise tools and templates for functional workplans
- Construct a workstream charter
- Managing communication channels in M&A
- Interpret various behavioral patterns
- Classify dealing with people in an M&A setting
In the Compensation & Benefits, HR Integration & Change Management module, you will explore the
- Compensation & Benefits: Pensions & Compensation Systems
- Integrating the organization/ staffing in the integration process/communication
- Managing layoffs / outplacement
- Labor Law & Labor Agreements
- Employee representation (unions, work councils, …)
- Total Rewards
- Talent Retention
Who participates
While you will meet an international mix of participants from various industries and functions, the HR Mergers & Acquisitions program is designed for HR professionals as well as for mid-management to senior executives in the C-Suite, project managers, heads of integration, and changes specialists. The program might also be suitable for management consultants, and advisors.
By Function

By Industry

By Region

We’re Trusted By








Designation
After successfully completing the course, you will receive the HRM&A Charter. The HRM&A is the most internationally recognized designation offered in the field of M&A. This charter signals to peers, clients, employers, and other professionals that you have completed the most comprehensive M&A education program available and are proficient in all areas of the mergers and acquisitions process.


FAQ’s
We are the global number #1 provider in M&A education. Participants sign up or companies send their employees in order to prepare for transactions or to enhance their qualification. Future employers reach out to us to check the credentials of candidates and their current status as a charterholder. Potential clients look to us to recommend advisors. We are a high quality provider and are recognized by many other institutions as a continued education provider. Find out more about our accreditations and recognition.
Feature | Online | Onsite |
Real-life business cases | ![]() | ![]() |
All mandatory course materials included | ![]() | ![]() |
Lifelong online access to most current content | ![]() | ![]() |
1-year Individual IMAA Membership | ![]() | ![]() |
Start right away | ![]() | |
On-Demand video lectures & direct tutoring | ![]() | |
Full flexibility | ![]() | |
No time constraint | ![]() | |
Work from anywhere in the world | ![]() | |
Different dates & locations worldwide | ![]() |
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Interactive discussions | ![]() |
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Networking with peers | ![]() |
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Complete the program in 6 days | ![]() |
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Meet face to face with faculty | ![]() |
The HRM&A Certification is designed as a part-time program for professionals. The total time of completion depends on your prior background and time you can devote to this. In total for the online program it may take about 60 hours of study. Our fastest participants complete it within 2 months.
Our tuition fees include all mandatory and recommended study materials. In addition you get access to our e-library.
You can enroll at any time for the Certificate Program online and start right away. For our onsite M&A courses please check the dates and locations.
Yes, you can take the entire program online from anywhere in the world or while travelling. This is what many of our participants do. For the completion of the M&A Certification there is no physical attendance necessary. However, you can combine online with onsite workshops to reach your designation.
Our courses and programs in Mergers & Acquisitions, Due Diligence, Valuation and Post Merger Integration (PMI) have taken by more than 2’200 participants from all around the world.
We are the number #1 provider and set the standards. Compared with academic executive education offerings, our faculty members are not pure academics – they have closed M&A deals as professionals themselves. So you not only gain theoretical insights, but you will learn hands-on knowledge. Compared with for-profit providers, we are purely focused on M&A trainings and bring in a solid foundation, great structured approach to learning, and the international dimension – and we reinvest in improving our offering.
If you compare our programs with the CFA, CAIA, CIMA, or others – we are purely focused on M&A only and are very complementary to these programs. There is very little overlap among the content and insights that our programs provide. Most of them accept our program as continued education.
If you have additional questions, please reach out to us via chat, contact form, or give us a call. We are looking forward to hearing from you and learn about your needs and questions.
Request your 15 minute Free Live Demo
Testimonials

Dr. Jürg Stucker
- Valuation

Paolo Buiatti
- IM&A

Rodrigo Tona
- IM&A

Martha Ross, CPA
- IM&A

Samuel Buma
- IM&A
Registration
Take the only international HRM&A program online available wordwide:Show More...
- Real world content developed and instructed by legal M&A practitioners
- Well structured and balanced content to understand business and legal isses
- Materials specifically designed for online use
You can complete the program part-time while working and without the need to travel to any course or examination location.
This bundle includes all 4 modules:
- Essentials of M&A
- Due Diligence
Register now and get started with your HRM&A Certification program!
Show Less...Join the program in a virtual live setting and benefit from meeting other executives and professionals, extending your network, and explore growth opportunities with M&A using global best practices with a specific focus on HR in M&A.Show More...
The program is taught by experienced practitioners and renowned faculty from across the globe.
Training sessions:
- Trainings: Monday to Friday, September 11 to 22, each day, 10 am - 1.15 pm PST / 1 pm - 4.15 pm EST / 7 pm - 10.15 pm CET / 9 pm - 12.15 am* GST
Take the only international HRM&A program online available wordwide:Show More...
- Real world content developed and instructed by legal M&A practitioners
- Well structured and balanced content to understand business and legal isses
- Materials specifically designed for online use
You can complete the program part-time while working and without the need to travel to any course or examination location.
This bundle includes all 4 modules:
- Essentials of M&A
- Due Diligence
Register now and get started with your HRM&A Certification program!
Show Less...The Compensation & Benefits, HR Integration & Change Management module covers:Show More...
- Compensation & Benefits: Pensions & Compensation Systems
- Integrating the organization/ staffing in the integration process/communication
- Managing layoffs / outplacement
- Labor Law & Labor Agreements
- Employee representation (unions, work councils, …)
- Total Rewards
- Talent Retention
For more detailed information, please refer to the content tab above.
Show Less...The Essentials of M&A module provides you with a solid foundation in M&A so you can deep dive in integration issues laster. This module covers:Show More...
- Various deal types
- M&A Process (buy- and sell-side)
- Strategies for M&A
- Introduction to Due Diligence
- Success Factors in Transactions:
- Takeover Strategies and Defence Tactics in Hostile M&A
For more detailed information, please refer to the content tab above.
Show Less...The Due Diligence module covers in detail:Show More...
- Financial Due Diligence
- Tax Due Diligence
- Legal Due Diligence
- Human Resource / HR Due Diligence
- other Due Diligence areas (e.g. Commercial Due Diligence, Antitrust Due Diligence, Environmental Due Diligence, IT Due Diligence, etc.)
In the Post Merger Integration (PMI) module, you will gain insights aboutShow More...
- Planning and execution of PMI
- Project management and governance in the context of integration
- integration the various functions such as marketing & sales, finance, IT, HR, etc.
- change management in M&A Show Less...
Join the program in a virtual live setting and benefit from meeting other executives and professionals, extending your network, and explore growth opportunities with M&A using global best practices with a specific focus on HR in M&A.Show More...
The program is taught by experienced practitioners and renowned faculty from across the globe.
Training sessions:
- Trainings: Monday to Friday, September 11 to 22, each day, 10 am - 1.15 pm PST / 1 pm - 4.15 pm EST / 7 pm - 10.15 pm CET / 9 pm - 12.15 am* GST