Successfully completing your Merger & Acquisition Master Intermediary (M&AMI) will not only assist you in your profession, but it will also significantly distinguish you from your peers. The M&AMI is bar none the most sought after certification within the industry, and is the only one to require the successful completion of multiple middle-market transactions. Although it will take some time and hard work, attaining this certification will prove to be very beneficial to your practice.
Recently, The M&A Source has made gaining your M&AMI even more accommodating to its members. We now offer two tracks that will aid you on your path to receiving the certification: the
Education Track and the
Experience Track. The difference between the two tracks is shown on the chart below. You can also find more detailed information on the program by simply scrolling down. Whichever track you may choose, earning your M&AMI designation proves to your potential clients that you have a solid educational background, proven accomplishments in completing deals, and a strong passion for your association and your work.
For more comprehensive information on completing your M&AMI, please see below.
Recertifying:
After obtaining your M&AMI, you will certainly understand how valuable it has been to your business, and you will want to renew your designation within the allotted three years. Recertifying is essential to members because it will further your knowledge with relevant courses, and will provide even more growth within your profession. This process also takes some time and effort, but follows a different protocol.
Here’s what you’ll need to do:
1. Be a current member in good standing.
2. Attend at least on M&A Source Conference and Deal Mart Expo.
3. Earn a minimum of 48 additional credits including at least 24 credits from Educational Experiences.
For more comprehensive information on recertifying your M&AMI, please see below.
Merger & Acquisition Master Intermediary Certification Requirements: (Effective July 28, 2011).
- Membership in the M&A Source. If you're not a member,
Click here to join the Source.
- Complete Merger & Acquisition Master Intermediary Application*
*Applicant will have a 5 year window from the date of application to complete all requirements for the Merger & Acquisition Master Intermediary Designation. The time period can be from 5 years prior to receipt of application, 5 years after receipt of application or any combination of years prior and after as long as the total number of years is no greater than 5.
Click here to Submit Merger & Acquisition Master Intermediary application online (online application undergoing maintenance - please check back soon), or Download a pdf version of the application.
*You need Adobe Acrobat to download this version.
|
|
Education Path
|
Experience Track*
|
|
Requirements:
|
Has A CBI Designation
|
Does Not Have A
|
|
|
CBI Designation
|
|
Earn 40 Credits of M&A Source Sponsored Coursework
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Optional
|
|
Pass the M&AMI Exam
|
Not Required
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
|
Attend M&A Source Conferences & Expo
|
Must attend 3
|
Must attend 3
|
Must attend 1
|
|
Submit Proof of Completed Transactions > $1.0 Million
|
3 Transactions
|
3 Transactions
|
5 Transactions
|
- * Experience Track requires proof of 5 years full time M&A Deal Maker experience in the past 10 years
- Choose one of the following two tracks:
A. Education Track
i. Three (3) years full time M&A Deal maker experience within the prior ten (10) years and currently involved in the M&A deal making process and/or management of the M&A deal making process
ii. Attend/Teach 40 credits of M&A Source sponsored or approved courses over a five (5) year period
Course Requirements:
#301 - Introduction to Mergers & Acquisitions (8 credits)
#307 - Financing the M&A Acquisition (8 credits)
#385 - Key M&A Negotiations (8 credits)
Elective Courses (16 credits)
*Click here for M&A Source courses and descriptions.
iii. Pass the M&AMI exam
The M&AMI Exam is usually given at the Conferences.
*Members with a current CBI Designation in good standing with the IBBA are exempt from the M&AMI Exam. Click here to for more information on the CBI Designation.
iv. Once a member completes all of the educational requirements and passes the M&AMI Exam, the member will be allowed to use the designation "M&AMI Candidate" until all other requirements are met.
v. Attend three (3) M&A Source Conference and Deal Mart Expos over a five (5) year period.
vi. Submit proof of three (3) M&A Transactions in which the total transaction value* is one million dollars (US) or greater. The real estate value will be considered part of the transaction value as long as the real estate is an essential part of the business. Please submit the M&AMI Transaction Submittal Form for each transaction and follow directions in providing the necessary documents as proof of the transaction
* The transaction value shall be based upon the total value of all consideration received on or before the closing date, or to be received in some future date, by client, directly or indirectly in connection with the acquisition of client (Economic Benefit). Such consideration, whether cash, cash equivalents, notes payable to client or its successor beneficiaries, liabilities and guarantees released, liabilities assumed, earn outs, royalties, licensing fee, real properties sold or leased, non-competition agreements, consulting agreements, amounts above normalized rentals or job related compensation, and securities.
vii. M&AMI applicants are responsible to submit classes taken and verification of classes.
B. Experience Track
i. Five (5) years full time M&A Dealmaker experience within the prior ten (10) years and currently involved in the M&A deal making process and/or the management of the M&A deal making process.
ii. Submit proof of five (5) M&A transactions within the prior ten (10) years in which the total transaction value* is one million dollars (US) or greater. The real estate value will be considered part of the transaction value as long as the real estate is an essential part of the business. Please submit the M&AMI Transaction Submittal Form for each transaction and follow directions in providing the necessary documents as proof of the transaction
* The transaction value shall be based upon the total value of all consideration received on or before the closing date, or to be received in some future date, by client, directly or indirectly in connection with the acquisition of client (Economic Benefit). Such consideration, whether cash, cash equivalents, notes payable to client or its successor beneficiaries, liabilities and guarantees released, liabilities assumed, earn outs, royalties, licensing fee, real properties sold or leased, non-competition agreements, consulting agreements, amounts above normalized rentals or job related compensation, and securities.
iii. Educational courses are encouraged but are optional for the Experience Track.
iv. Pass the M&AMI exam
The M&AMI Exam is usually give at the Conferences.
v. Attend one M&A Source Conference and Deal Mart Expo over a five (5) year period.
Recertification Requirements: (Recertification period is every 3 years)
Every Merger & Acquisition Master Intermediary must complete the re-certification requirements by December 31st following the third (3rd) anniversary of the award and each three (3) years thereafter. The CBI and M&AMI recertification dates will become synchronized and a member who qualifies for the M&AMI recertification automatically qualifies for the CBI recertification during the same period.
- Member in good standing of the M&A Source
- Attend at least one M&A Conference and Deal Mart Expo
- Earn a minimum of 48 Additional Credits including at least 24 credits from the following Educational Experiences:
A. Educational Experiences
(1) Speaker, workshop instructor, or panel moderator at an M&A Source conference (excludes panelists) [5 credits]
(2) Attendance at each additional M&A Source conference (after requirements are met) [15 credits]
(3) Attendance at an IBBA Conference (10 Credits)
(4) Additional IBBA and M&A Source sponsored Educational Opportunities successfully completed or taught [course credits / Instructors will receive 1.5 hrs x course credits]
(5) Effective August 31, 2009, outside education courses [one (1) credit per course hour, ten (10) credits maximum].*
* Must be offered by American Bar Association, American Society of Appraisers, Institute of Business Appraisers, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, or the National Association of Realtors. Courses from other Associations may be considered at the discretion of the Credentialing and Education Committees. In all cases the course must be related to the Mergers and Acquisitions profession. Verification of completion will be determined by course description and course verification certificate. The course must be a structured educational "course" (not a workshop or seminar) and must be at least 4 hours in duration. Please submit the Outside Education Approval Form for all requests.
(6) Lead Subject Matter Expert (SME) for an M&A Source Course or an IBBA course [4 credits per course hour; 4 hr course = 16 credits; 8 hr course = 32 credits]
(7) Contributing Subject Matter Expert (SME) for M&A Source Course or an IBBA course [2 credits per course hour; 4 hr course = 8 credits; 8 hr course = 16 credits]
(8) Up to 16 unused Education Credits can be rolled over to the next certification period.
B. Additional Association Activities:
(1) M&A Source Committee participation (5 credits per year). Committees are selected and approved by the M&A Source Board of Directors. Each term lasts one year, and credits earned through committee participation will be added to individual records at the end of the year.
(2) Officer or director of M&A Source (10 credits per year).
(3) Contributor to M&A Source News (5 credits per year).
(4) Submit to headquarters a published article that mentions the M&A Source (5 credits per year)
C. Business Transactions:
(1) Submit to headquarters proof of a completed business
transaction in which the total transaction value is one million dollars or greater. The real estate value will be considered part of the transaction value as long as the real estate is an essential part of the business. M&AMI's who own/manage a firm will be allowed to use a transaction from a broker they manage to count towards their recertification transaction requirement. The broker is allowed to use the same transaction for certification purposes. If two brokers are working together as a team on a transaction, then both brokers can use the same transaction for certification or recertification. Please use the M&AMI Transaction Submittal Form (10 credits/transaction).
The M&AMI designation of any member may be terminated by his/her resignation in writing to the M&A Source Headquarters or by revocation by the M&A Source Board of Directors following a recommendation of revocation by the M&A Source Credentialing Committee upon the occurrence of one or more of the following events:
- Failure to pay any amounts due to the M&A Source.
- Failure to complete the requirements for the designation within five (5) years of application for admission to the M&AMI program or the recertification of the designation in the three (3) year recertification period.
- Violation of the Association’s bylaws and/or rules and regulations, or Code of Ethics.
- Loss of good standing membership in the M&A Source.
- Misrepresentation, either intentional or otherwise, of experience or other qualifications.
- The rendering of a guilty verdict by the Trier of fact of proper jurisdiction (court or arbitration) for charges which, in the opinion of the M&A Source Board of Directors, reasonably establish the M&AMI's noncompliance with those standards required by the M&A Source.
Forfeiture:
Any M&AMI whose designation is terminated shall immediately return his M&AMI certificate and any other similar items (pins, plaques, etc.). In addition, his store of stationery and other renderings mentioning the M&AMI designation must be immediately destroyed. And, lastly, it is specifically understood that the member or former member may not verbally or in print make reference to "former M&AMI," "past M&AMI," or the like.
Invalidation of Credits:
Termination for any reason shall automatically invalidate all credits toward the designation or recertification that have previously or provisionally been awarded by the M&A Source Credentialing Committee.
Reinstatement of M&AMI Designation:
Any member whose designation has been terminated/revoked by resignation or for any reason other than one of a disciplinary character may be reinstated in good standing by a majority vote of the M&A Source Credentialing Committee, provided:
1. The applicant remits an M&AMI extension form to the Credentialing Committee.
Click here for the M&AMI extension form.
A. If the applicant was in arrears on the date the membership was terminated a deposit covering all annual dues or other indebtedness to the M&A Source must be included.
B. The applicant for reinstatement has been approved by the committee. A reinstatement fee may be recommended by the Credentialing Committee.
2. The applicant for reinstatement has met all continuing education and recertification
requirements under which he would have been affected if it had not been for the
period of termination.
A. If the period of termination exceeds 12 months, the applicant is ineligible for reinstatement and must follow the M&AMI reinstatement guidelines in letter C below.
B. If the application is made within the 12-month period, and is granted by the Credentialing Committee, the applicant may continue to use the M&AMI designation.
C. If reinstated by the Credentialing Committee the M&AMI's next recertification date shall be at the end of the 3rd year from the date the committee made such reinstatement decision.
3. The following M&AMI reinstatement guidelines are for any individual who has let
his/her M&AMI lapse past the one year extension:
A. If the applicant maintained their M&A Source membership:
The applicant must submit an M&AMI reinstatement application and associated fee. The applicant will have a 3 year window to complete the M&AMI Recertification process. The time period can be from 3 years prior to receipt of the reinstatement application, 3 years after receipt of the reinstatement application, or any combination of years prior and after as long as the total number of years is not greater than 3. The applicant may not use the M&AMI designation until the recertification process is completed.
B. If the applicant did not maintain their M&A Source membership:
The applicant must rejoin the M&A Source and pay the current dues. The applicant must submit a M&AMI reinstatement application and the associated fee. The applicant must complete the M&AMI recertification process within 3 years of submitting the M&AMI reinstatement application. The applicant may not use the M&AMI designation until the recertification process is completed.
*For Lifetime M&AMI issues the new M&AMI attain date will be used.*
Reinstatement of Candidacy:
In the event a member whose candidacy has been terminated applies for reinstatement, his/her credits invalidated by prior termination of candidacy shall not automatically be restored by reinstatement of candidate status but shall be reviewed by the Credentialing Committee with power to restore or decline all or part of such credits.
Lifetime M&AMI and Lifetime M&AMI - Retired:
- Effective June 9, 2007, IBBA has adopted a "Lifetime M&AMI" status policy to be offered to any current holder of the M&AMI that has been a member of the M&A Source for a minimum period of fifteen (15) years, held the designation for at least ten (10) years and who has attained the minimum age of seventy (70).
A. The member will be required to maintain their membership status and pay the annual fees for maintenance of the CBI and M&AMI designations. There will be no other requirements for attendance and education.
B. If a designee should decide to apply for the Lifetime M&AMI status all reference to the letters "M&AMI" and the term "Merger and Acquisition Master Intermediary" must be removed from documentation and replaced with the term "Lifetime M&AMI".
Download Lifetime M&AMI Request Form
2. Effective June 9, 2009, IBBA has adopted a "Lifetime M&AMI - Retired" status policy
to be offered to any Lifetime M&AMI member who is no longer an active M&A
intermediary.
A. The Member will be required to submit an affidavit or other proof that they are no longer an active M&A Intermediary.
B. The Member will be exempt from dues and maintenance fees and will be given the membership rate when attending an M&A conference or education course.
C. If a designee should decide to apply for the Lifetime M&AMI - Retired status all reference to letters "M&AMI" and the term "Merger and Acquisition Master Intermediary" must be removed from documentation and replaced with the term "Lifetime M&AMI - Retired".