Business Combinations and Consolidations

Master the accounting complexities of mergers and acquisitions. This course explains how to identify and measure goodwill, account for reverse acquisitions, and prepare required disclosures. Learn to apply the equity method when investments change, test goodwill for impairment, and consolidate financial statements accurately. You will also review the steps needed to integrate accounting functions after a business combination, equipping you to manage the full lifecycle of M&A reporting.
Format

PDF Course

Course Lists
Grid View
Tile View
Duration

3.5 Hours

Course Discounts
Education Bundles

Course Information

Author: Steven Bragg
Course Number: AC1082

Table of Contents
Chapter 1. Business Combinations
Chapter 2. The Equity Method
Chapter 3. Goodwill Impairment
Chapter 4. Financial Statement Consolidation
Chapter 5. Intercompany Accounting
Chapter 6. Accounting Integration

Learning Objectives
  • Identify the circumstances under which step and reverse acquisitions occur.
  • Specify the calculations required to determine the amount of ownership in an investee under the equity method.
  • Recognize the situations in which impairment testing is to be conducted, and when goodwill amortization can be used.
  • Identify the situations in which a controlling financial interest cannot be determined, as well as the types of eliminations used when conducting a consolidation.
  • Recognize when financial statements are considered to be special-use.
  • Identify the rules for dealing with intercompany transactions in the consolidated financial statements.
  • Recognize the actions needed to centralize accounting activities following a business combination.

Level: Overview
Instructional Method: QAS Self-Study
NASBA Category: Accounting
Prerequisites: None
Advance Preparation: None
Latest Review Date: October 2025
Program Registration Requirements: Click on the Enroll button to pay for and access the course. You will then be able to download the course as a PDF file, then take an on-line examination, and then download a certificate of completion if you pass the examination.
Program Refund Policy: For more information regarding administrative policies concerning complaints, refunds, and other matters, see our policies page.

AccountingTools, Inc. is registered with the National Association of State Boards of Accountancy (NASBA) as a sponsor of continuing professional education on the National Registry of CPE Sponsors. State boards of accountancy have the final authority on the acceptance of individual courses for CPE credit. Complaints regarding registered sponsors may be submitted to the National Registry of CPE Sponsors through its website: www.nasbaregistry.org.
The NASBA sponsor identification number for Accountingtools, Inc. is 115881.

AccountingTools is an IRS Approved Continuing Education Provider. We are compliant with the requirements for continuing education providers (as described in sections 10.6 and 10.9 of the Department of Treasury’s Circular No. 230 and in other IRS guidance, forms, and instructions). Our IRS Approved Continuing Education Provider number is 72821.