At the end of December, Michael Szücs (partner) and Helfried Schodl (senior manager) from Grant Thornton gave a detailed and practical lecture on the topic of “Takeovers on the Vienna Stock Exchange” to third-semester students of the bachelor’s program Finance, Accounting & Taxation as part of the interdisciplinary case studies course.
The lecture began with a detailed presentation of the company, clearly illustrating Grant Thornton’s locations, services, specialized consulting areas, and corporate culture.
The Role of the Vienna Stock Exchange
Subsequently, past acquisitions were examined in detail, with a comprehensive analysis of significant M&A transactions, their economic impact and strategic relevance for companies, and the market structure. Building on this, the speakers explained the role of the Vienna Stock Exchange in M&A transactions and outlined the legal framework, in particular the Austrian Takeover Act and the tasks of the independent Takeover Commission, whose functions, control mechanisms, and decision-making processes were explained in a practical manner.
The Transaction Process in Detail
The presentation focused on a detailed description of the transaction process, including preparation, submission of bids, review by the commission, deadline management, and completion of the process. Particular attention was paid to the duties of auditors and supervisory board members, whose responsible role in the takeover process was illustrated with specific practical examples. This was supplemented by practical examples in which Grant Thornton acted as an independent expert, enabling students to directly understand the transfer of theory into practice.
Theory meets real-life using existing Cases
The lecture concluded with a reflection on the results to sensitize students to future challenges in the field of M&A and to raise awareness of the regulatory, economic, and organizational aspects of corporate acquisitions. Students were also invited to participate in a competition by working on the case study presented after the lecture and submitting their solutions. The best entries will be awarded prizes.
In the Interdisciplinary Case Studies event, Grant Thornton combines practical insights, exciting challenges, and attractive opportunities, providing a perfect introduction to the world of corporate acquisitions.
>> More information about the Bachelor`s Program Finance, Accounting & Taxation