Three Statement Model Cheat Sheet

Welcome to the M&A Mindset!

Whether you are a business owner exploring the sale of your company, a professional looking to break into M&A, or simply someone fascinated by the art of buying and selling businesses, this newsletter is your go-to-resource.

Each week, the M&A Mindset cuts through the noise to deliver eye-catching infographics, quick and actionable insights, and valuable resources about middle-market M&A. Forget boring academic white papers and dense reports—this is content that’s sharp, approachable, and designed to keep you informed and inspired.

The M&A Mindset is more than just a newsletter; it’s a community for those eager to learn, grow, and share. Whether you’re planning your first transaction, expanding your expertise, or just getting started in M&A, there’s something of value here for you,

So, dive in and level up your M&A knowledge with clear, actionable insights. Share it with your network to spark meaningful conversations and drive more informed decisions and success in the lower middle-market M&A space.

Thanks for checking it out and sharing!

Derek Avdul

Table of Contents

• Interesting Infographic

• M&A Topic Briefing

• Articles of Interest

• From The Benchmark Blog

• Educational Resources

• Industry Associations

• Books To Read

• Spreadsheet Tips & Tricks

• Lighten Up!

INTERESTING INFOGRAPHIC

Each week, I feature a visually engaging infographic that distills a key M&A subject area into an easy-to-digest format. These quick reference guides aim to deliver clarity, insight, and practical understanding at a glance.

Three Statement Model Cheat Sheet

M&A TOPIC BRIEFING

In this section, I provide a clear, concise overview of a specific topic, trend, or concept within the realm of M&A. The goal is to educate, inform, and spark discussions on relevant subjects, helping you deepen your knowledge and better navigate the complexities of M&A more confidently.

What Happens After You Sign an LOI?

ARTICLES OF INTEREST

Here is a selection of articles, information, and other tidbits I found interesting in the world of M&A and finance.

Interesting M&A/Finance Finds

• Goldman Sachs Says Deal Outlook Is Good, But Timing Is Uncertain

• "A Roller Coaster Ride": How Trump's Tariffs Turned the 'TACO' Trade Into Wall Street's Biggest Debate

• 20 Ways Business Leaders Can Recover From A Deal Gone Wrong

• e.l.f. Beauty Announces Definitive Agreement to Acquire rhode in $1 Billion Deal

• Taylor Swift Shakes Off Private Equity

FROM THE BENCHMARK BLOG

My firm, Benchmark International, a global, award-winning sell-side M&A company, has a ton of great resources that help anyone considering selling or buying a business get more educated on all aspects of the process. Below is just one helpful article. Check out Benchmark International for many more useful articles, news, and resources.

Top Five Books for High-Net-Worth Individuals

• Top Five Books for High-Net-Worth Individuals

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

Below are a few select educational and learning resources designed to enhance your M&A knowledge and build and deepen your skillset.

M&A Learning Links

• Wall Street Oasis: Elite Modeling Course

• Coursera: Introduction to Finance & Accounting (Wharton - UPenn)

• Wall Street Prep: How To Build A 3-Statement Model

• Corporate Finance Institute: Introduction to Mergers & Acquisitions

• Data Camp: Financial Modeling in Excel

INDUSTRY ASSOCIATIONS

Here are a few essential M&A industry association links that contain some valuable information and resources on M&A from trusted resources.

Trade Associations in the M&A Industry

• Association for Corporate Growth (ACG)

• Alliance of Mergers & Acquisitions Advisors (AMAA)

• The M&A Advisor

BOOKS TO READ

These books, which I’ve found valuable, offer insightful perspectives on business and finance, which serve to further your industry knowledge base and support your journey in M&A and broader professional growth.

Good Reads This Week

SPREADSHEET TIPS & TRICKS

Check out these resources for great shortcuts and tips on financial modeling and Excel hacks to enhance your analytical capabilities and streamline your M&A work.

Spreadsheet Tips, Tricks, & Shortcuts

YouTube Channel: @PeakFrameworks
PDF Data Into Excel Quick Tip

YouTube Channel: @KenjiExplains
4 Excel Tricks You Will Wish You Knew Sooner

YouTube Channel: @Shorandclearexcel
Don’t Consolidate Data Manually in Excel - Use This Instead 

LIGHTEN UP!

And Just Because…

In the fast-paced world of M&A, we can sometimes take things (and ourselves) a bit too seriously, so it’s good to remember to enjoy a lighter moment now and then.

• The Richest Person in Every U.S. State in 2025

Thanks again for taking a look at this edition of the M&A Mindset! I hope the insights, infographics, and resources provided sparked new ideas and offered value for you in the dynamic world of M&A.

As you navigate your week, remember that every successful deal starts with knowledge and connection. Whether you’re in the middle of negotiations, just beginning to explore your next deals, or simply building your expertise, the M&A Mindset is here to help support your growth.

Have questions, thoughts, or a topic you’d like to see covered? I’d love to hear about it—and get any feedback (positive or negative) you wish to offer. Your input helps shape the M&A Mindset community.

And don’t forget to share this newsletter with colleagues, peers, or anyone who could benefit from a fresh perspective on middle-market M&A.

Until next time, stay curious, stay informed,
and keep building your M&A Mindset!

Questions, comments, suggestions for topics?
[email protected]