Which of the following does not typically count as integration costs in an acquisition?

Severance payments made to employees by the seller typically do not count as integration costs in an acquisition because they relate to the restructuring of the seller's workforce rather than the integration of the merging entities. Integration costs are generally those expenses directly associated with the process of combining the operations, cultures, and systems of two companies after a merger or acquisition.

Consulting fees for integration consultants, training costs for merged staff, and merger communication expenses all fall under integration costs. These expenses are necessary for facilitating the merger, ensuring a smooth transition, and aligning employees with new operational procedures. On the other hand, severance payments are often incurred by the seller to terminate staff and do not directly contribute to the integration process itself, making them separate from the costs aimed at successfully merging the two companies.