LBO Modelling Course

Master the complete acquisition finance toolkit with this LBO modelling course. Learn how to design capital structures, evaluate leveraged buyout analysis, and execute merger finance strategies using Excel-based modeling and AI simulations. This module gives you the real-world skills needed to excel in M&A Finance and post-acquisition value creation.

This course sits within the M&A Institute learning framework as follows:
● M&A Step 1-1: Merger and Acquisition Process in Practice
● M&A Step 1-2: Developing an M&A Strategy
● M&A Step 2-1: Deal Sourcing & Desktop Due Diligence
● M&A Step 2-2: Quick Valuation
● M&A Step 3-1: M&A Due Diligence: CDD, FDD, LDD, & HRDD
● M&A Step 3-2: Acquisition Finance & Leveraged Buyouts with Excel Modeling (this course)
● M&A Step 4: Negotiation Skills & Sales and Purchase Agreement
● M&A Step 5: Post-Merger Integration & Value Creation

With this LBO modelling course, you will:
● Structure Real Financing Deals: Apply acquisition finance strategies across senior loans, mezzanine debt, and equity.
● Master Excel LBO Analysis: Build pro forma statements, forecast EBITDA, calculate IRR, and run sensitivity tests.
● Lead High-Stakes Scenarios: Practice decision-making in AI-powered simulations that mirror real leveraged buyout deals.
● Model the Template: Download the LBO analysis Excel, try it yourself, and get feedback from our AI Excel training tool.

Prerequisites
While beginners are advised to follow modules in order,
this course is self-contained for learners focused on acquisition finance and LBOs.

Duration
Complete this module within 3 months.
● 21 Lessons with quizzes and applied case studies
● Each lesson designed for 2 or more hours
● Total learning time: approximately 40~45 hours

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Category: M&A Transaction and PMI Planning

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Our 3-Stage Path to LBO Mastery

Transform financial theory into practical, deal-ready expertise
through our structured, application-driven methodology.

Step 1: Learn Core Concepts

Dive deep into 21 comprehensive, expert-led lessons.

Reinforce your learning with a quiz in every single lesson.

Gain real-world context via practical case study insights.

Step 2: AI Interactive Simulation

Apply knowledge in our advanced AI-powered simulation.

Develop practical judgment in realistic M&A scenarios.

Master the course in just 8 weeks at 6 hours per week.

Step 3" Get a Badge

Complete all 21 lessons and the final AI simulation.

Pass the final assessment with a score of 70% or more.

Earn a verifiable module badge to prove your expertise.

Example of the AI-driven Interactive Deal Simulation

Detailed Course Curriculum

Course Content

📖 I. Acquisition Financing

💡🤖 AI Simulation Exercise

📖 II. Leveraged Buyouts

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Module Description

This LBO modelling course is structured into three applied sections:

Section I. Acquisition Finance

● Introduction to acquisition finance and strategic funding choices
● Debt financing foundations: senior loans, bonds, covenants, global markets
● Advanced debt structuring, refinancing strategies, and hybrid mezzanine instruments
● Equity financing and recapitalization techniques
● Exit strategies and capital structure optimization
● Case Study: Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter (strategic financing analysis)

Section II. Leveraged Buyouts & Excel Modelling

● Introduction to LBOs and lifecycle analysis
● LBO players, roles, and reverse merger processes
● Identifying ideal LBO targets with case study: HCA Healthcare
● Multi-step LBO financial modeling: pro forma income statement → EBITDA & interest forecasting → cash flow statement → IRR & sensitivity analysis
● Capital structuring simulation for HCA Healthcare
● Management Buyouts (MBO) and Management Buy-Ins (MBI)
● LBO Excel modeling file included

Section III. AI-Driven Application & Quiz

● AI Simulation Exercise: Step into an interactive simulation to practice structuring an acquisition finance package.
● LBO Analysis Excel Modeling: Apply what you've learned by building an LBO model from scratch using our provided Excel template and step-by-step guidance.
● Applied quizzes and assessments ensuring practical retention

Case Studies

This LBO modelling course dissects dozens of real-world deals to provide practical, actionable insights. Notable examples include:

HCA Healthcare: A deep dive into the financial and operational traits of an ideal LBO target, used as the primary case for our hands-on Excel modeling exercises.

Broadcom's Acquisition of VMware: Illustrates the significant role of debt, particularly bridge financing transitioning into term loans, in a massive strategic acquisition.

Dell's Acquisition of EMC: A landmark case study on financing a mega-deal primarily with debt to maintain control, highlighting the risks and rewards of high leverage.

Salesforce's Acquisition of Slack: A contrasting example of an equity-heavy approach to preserve cash and financial flexibility in a high-growth tech deal.

The Asda Acquisition: Showcases how a consortium of PE (TDR Capital) and operational experts (Issa brothers) used a strategic mix of equity and debt to execute a large-scale retail buyout.

What You Will Gain from This Module

By completing this LBO modelling course, you will achieve:

Build Complete LBO Models from Scratch

Construct sophisticated, multi-year LBO models in Excel. You will move from a blank sheet to a fully integrated model covering the pro forma income statement, cash flow forecast, debt schedule, and returns analysis.

Structure and Negotiate Complex Debt Packages

Gain the expertise to design a complete "debt stack" for any acquisition. You'll understand how to layer senior loans, subordinated debt, and mezzanine financing to maximize leverage while managing risk, a core skill in M&A Finance.

Master IRR and Returns Analysis with Excel Modeling

Calculate and interpret the most critical private equity metrics: IRR and Money Multiple. You will learn to perform sensitivity analysis to stress-test your assumptions and quantify investment risk, which is essential for any leveraged buyout analysis.

Think Like a Private Equity Investor

Understand the complete PE playbook, from sourcing ideal LBO targets and conducting due diligence to driving value creation post-acquisition and planning for a successful exit (IPO, strategic sale, or secondary buyout).

Execute Deals with Confidence using AI Simulation

Step into the shoes of a CFO or PE Partner in our guided AI simulations. Practice negotiating financing terms, making capital structure decisions, and aligning stakeholder interests in a risk-free, realistic environment.

Navigate All Aspects of Merger Finance

Gain a holistic understanding of all strategic financing tools, including MBOs/MBIs, recapitalizations, SPVs, and holding companies. You will be able to advise on, or challenge, the structure of any acquisition.

Who Made This Course?

The M&A Institute team combines CFA/MBA credentials with complex transactions, advisory roles, and buyout investments within leading PE and IB firms. This unique blend ensures our LBO modelling course is comprehensive, easy to understand, and immediately applicable.

Our instructors have trained 10,000+ professionals across Samsung, LG, SK, and Hyundai, and authored leading M&A texts including "M&A Transactions & PMI Strategy and Corporate Investment Valuation".

What Our Corporate Clients Say:

Practical, insightful, and engaging M&A training that exceeded our expectations. The PMI module was particularly valuable for our team's execution capabilities.

H Group

The training helped me transition from early-stage startup investment to M&A. The practical knowledge and insights from the post merger integration process were invaluable.

S Group

Excellent course with high satisfaction and practical value. Highly recommended for any professional involved in the post merger acquisition lifecycle.

L Chemical

Our Book

Acquisition Finance & Leveraged Buyouts with Excel Modeling

This leveraged buyout book is your comprehensive, practice-driven guide to Acquisition Finance and LBO Analysis, designed for corporate professionals, investors, and M&A practitioners seeking to master one of the most dynamic and high-impact areas of dealmaking. It is the essential acquisition finance guide for serious practitioners.

Built on over a decade of global M&A training delivered to leading companies such as Samsung, LG, Hyundai, and SK Group, this leveraged buyout book brings structured clarity to acquisition financing, from debt structuring and equity strategy to the full LBO lifecycle and IRR modeling. You will learn how deals are financed, how capital structures are engineered, and how real-world transactions are evaluated and executed under pressure. This leveraged buyout book stands as a testament to practical application.

This is not a theoretical finance textbook. Every chapter delivers clear, structured, and highly applicable knowledge, including how to decide between equity and debt, how mezzanine layers are negotiated, how reverse mergers work in LBOs, and how internal financing capacity shapes deal feasibility. Dozens of real examples like Broadcom, Asda, HCA Healthcare are dissected to show how professionals navigate capital stacks and strategic vehicles. This leveraged buyout book emphasizes actionable insights.

The book also includes LBO excel modeling sections that walk you through the full construction of complex LBO models, from pro forma income statements to cash flow forecasting, IRR sensitivity, and capital structuring. In this part, AI-powered simulations will place you in the role of a CFO, private equity partner, or MBO candidate facing real-world decision points. This leveraged buyout book ensures hands-on learning.

Whether you’re a private equity analyst, investment banker, CFO, or finance student, this leveraged buyout book will build your practical expertise in structuring, analyzing, and executing acquisition financing deals with confidence. You’ll finish with the knowledge and tools required to lead and challenge financial assumptions at the deal table. This leveraged buyout book prepares you for real-world scenarios.

Acquisition Finance and Leveraged Buyouts with Excel Modeling

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is this course for?

This course is designed for finance professionals seeking to master complex deal structuring. It is ideal for:
● Private Equity, Venture Capital, and Investment Banking analysts and associates
● Corporate Development, Strategy, and FP&A professionals
● M&A Consultants and transaction advisory specialists
● Anyone aspiring to a career in high-finance roles involving corporate finance or leveraged buyout analysis.

Do I need a finance background?

Yes, a foundational understanding of finance and accounting is highly recommended. This is an advanced lbo modelling course that dives deep into complex topics. While we explain core concepts, it is best suited for those with some prior exposure to financial statements and valuation.

What are the prerequisites?

This module is self-contained for learners focused on M&A Finance. However, a basic understanding of the M&A transaction process (covered in our Module 1) is beneficial for a complete perspective.

How long will I have access to the course materials?

You will have full access to all 21 course materials, the Excel model template, and the AI simulation for 3 months from your date of purchase.

How practical is the content?

This course is 100% focused on practical application. You will learn by doing:
● Real-World Case Studies: Every concept is linked to a real deal, from Dell/EMC to HCA Healthcare.
● Hands-On Excel Modeling: The core of the course is building a complete LBO model step-by-step.
● AI Simulation: You'll apply your knowledge by role-playing as a deal lead in our interactive acquisition finance simulation.

What is the AI simulation like?

It is an interactive, role-playing exercise where you are a PE Partner or CFO. You will be presented with realistic scenarios and a set of choices. The AI-powered system provides instant feedback and evolving situations based on your decisions, allowing you to experience the consequences of your actions in a risk-free environment.

Will I receive a certificate?

Yes. After completing all 21 lessons and scoring 70% or higher on the final quiz, you will earn a verifiable certificate from the M&A Institute to showcase your expertise in LBO modeling and Merger Finance.

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