12 Comments
 

hmm, depends.

if the 'transaction' fees are related to financing, then they can be capitalized. new rule makes it so you can't include restructuring, retention, etc. fees as a part of total consideration for an M&A transaction, these fees have to be expensed now.

 
hisabnesshmm, depends.

if the 'transaction' fees are related to financing, then they can be capitalized. new rule makes it so you can't include restructuring, retention, etc. fees as a part of total consideration for an M&A transaction, these fees have to be expensed now.

what about fees paid to ibanks?

 

From a GAAP perspective, I agree. Capitalize debt financing fees only and amortize over life of the debt.

From a cash taxes perspective, I believe it differs. Last I recall, all deal expenses accrued following submission of an LOI can be amortized.

What periods do people use to amortize from a cash taxes perspective?

 

If the cash amount of the transaction fee is paid upfront and you are amortizing the capitalized balance, don't forget to add back the amortization amount below net income but above cash flow from operations on the statement of cash flows, as the amortization is a non-cash expense. Net the cash transaction fee with the debt issuance proceeds to get the "net debt" proceeds, and that is what you bring in on the cash flow from financing line.

 

amort fee of $1m in first period, here is how it should work...

Income Statement - Net income decreases $1m due to write-off (I'm assuming no taxes, but it will work at any tax rate)

CFS - Starts off with NI down $1m, add-back the $1m in amortization as a non-cash expense. No change to cash.

BS - L&E is down $1m due to decrease in net income. Assets are also down $1m, due to no change in cash and the $1m amorization to your asset.

idk where you are going wrong. feel free to PM me and i can take a look, but considering you have the basic logic now you should be able to figure it out... i think your L&E is correct, you need to amortize the asset though. or you are not accounting for this on the CFS correctly.

peace out - hope that helped.

 

Asperiores odit alias deleniti fugit sapiente voluptas. Aliquam reprehenderit est et quas iure sunt molestias. Vitae aut modi delectus perferendis expedita dolor doloremque. Ratione repellendus nihil id ullam mollitia quis. In autem pariatur voluptatum eligendi corporis commodi molestias. Qui molestiae consectetur omnis qui est.

Career Advancement Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.8%
  • Evercore 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.3%
  • JPMorgan No 97.7%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

June 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (14) $434
  • Associates (44) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (78) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (72) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
3
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
6
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
7
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”