MANAGERIAL ACCOUNTING IN MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS: ACTORS, IMPACTS AND FUTURE TRENDS

M&A are a common phenomenon aligned with the macro-economic cycles. Despite the frequency and importance of M&A, we seem to know relatively little about management accounting systems during these not ordinary organisational events. \r\nThese strategical operations are aimed at strengthening organizations in some specific aspects (access into new markets, downstream or upstream acquisition of companies, creation of synergies and cost reductions, acquisition of patents, etc.), creating a relevant phase of discontinuity with both human and technical impacts. One of the most complex aspects is the measurement of the impacts and repercussions that M&A create on organizations, and the debate in the different disciplines is wide. \r\nIn this complex context, management accounting systems play the role of facilitator of change and fill the gap between top management, middle management, and teams. Management accounting systems are involved from the earliest stages of M&A with the aim of quantifying the possible effects of the merger and providing the necessary information in the due diligence phase and, subsequently, in the integration plan. Providing the necessary information and facilitating management processes within the new organization becomes a crucial element for the success of the integration and, consequently, the creation of value.