OFFERGOBLIN

Knowledge Base

Deal Mechanics

9 articles

M&A, LBOs, accretion/dilution, synergies, and the math of deal-making.

ArticleTime
Accretion / Dilution

Master the Yield Method and EPS Method for investment banking interviews. Learn why using CAPM for accretion is a fatal error, how to avoid the "bootstrapping earnings" trap, and the exact formulas to answer "is this deal accretive" correctly every time.

5 min

Deferred Taxes

Master deferred tax assets, liabilities, and NOL carryforwards for IB interviews. Covers book-tax timing differences and valuation allowances.

7 min

EPS Method

Master the EPS method for M&A accretion analysis. A cheat sheet covering the key formulas, the split-paper framework, and common interview traps.

3 min

LBO Overview

Master LBO mechanics: debt financing, equity returns, and value creation drivers. Essential technical interview prep for PE and IB roles.

7 min

M&A Overview

M&A fundamentals: deal types, strategic rationale, valuation methods, and the mechanics of how companies buy other companies.

5 min

Returns

Master returns calculations for finance interviews. Learn holding period, annualized, and total returns with clear formulas.

4 min

Synergies

What synergies are in M&A, how to quantify revenue and cost synergies, and how bankers model them into deal valuation.

5 min

Tax & Tax Shield

How taxes impact valuation, WACC, and financial modeling. Corporate tax shields, timing differences, and effective vs marginal rates.

4 min

Paper LBO

How to answer "Walk me through an LBO" and solve a Paper LBO in an interview. The 3-step framework for calculating IRR in your head.

4 min