Mergers and Acquisitions Associate

Job Description

M&A Associate – Move from fDD into Deal Execution

\n

\n

Are you an ACA-qualified accountant with 1–2 years’ post-qualified experience in a Big 4 Financial Due Diligence team? This is a rare opportunity to move from analysing transactions to helping lead them, joining a high-growth, entrepreneurial M&A advisory platform with an exceptional mid-market franchise across the UK and Europe.

\n

\n

You will work alongside highly regarded senior dealmakers on live buy-side and sell-side mandates, advising ambitious corporates, private equity-backed businesses and growth companies across sectors including Consumer, Retail, Industrials and Technology. With a strong pipeline and continued expansion, this is an opportunity to gain meaningful exposure, responsibility and progression from day one.

\n

\n

The Opportunity

\n

\n

This is not a role where you are confined to one technical workstream. You will gain broad, hands-on exposure across the full transaction lifecycle; from initial ideas and origination through to execution and completion.

\n

\n

You will have the chance to:

\n

\n

\n
• Work on high-profile mid-market M&A, capital markets and debt advisory assignments across the UK and Europe.
\n
• Analyse businesses, financial performance, markets and transaction dynamics to develop a clear investment and strategic rationale.
\n
• Prepare business cases, assess the merits and risks of potential transactions, and contribute directly to senior-level client discussions.
\n
• Support the preparation of high-quality marketing materials, investor presentations, transaction announcements and offering documentation.
\n
• Conduct detailed due diligence and work closely with management teams, investors, lawyers, accountants and other advisers throughout live processes.
\n
• Coordinate critical deal workstreams across multiple concurrent mandates, developing the judgement and commercial perspective required of a rounded M&A adviser.
\n
• Learn from an experienced, collaborative senior team with a reputation for delivering outstanding outcomes for clients.
\n

\n

\n

Why make the move?

\n

\n

For an fDD professional, this is a compelling next step: you retain the financial rigour and analytical strengths you have developed in the Big 4, while moving materially closer to the strategic, commercial and client-facing heart of a transaction.

\n

\n

You will benefit from:

\n

\n

\n
• True deal ownership: Exposure beyond diligence into valuation, positioning, buyer/investor engagement, negotiation support and execution.
\n
• Earlier responsibility: A leaner, more entrepreneurial environment where strong performers can make a visible contribution quickly.
\n
• Exceptional transaction exposure: A sustained pipeline of live mandates, rather than purely project-based diligence work.
\n
• International reach: The backing, network and cross-border opportunities of a business with offices throughout the UK and Europe.
\n
• A steep development curve: Work directly with senior advisers and gain the technical, commercial and interpersonal skills needed to build a long-term M&A career.
\n
• A platform for progression: Join a growing advisory firm at a point where ambition, initiative and quality of execution are genuinely recognised.
\n

\n

\n

What we are looking for

\n

\n

\n
• ACA-qualified accountant.
\n
• Ideally 1–2 years’ post-qualified experience within a Big 4 Transaction Services / financial Due Diligence practice.
\n
• Strong financial analysis, accounting and commercial judgement.
\n
• A genuine motivation to transition into front-line M&A advisory and work across the full deal process.
\n
• Excellent written, presentation and interpersonal skills.
\n
• Intellectual curiosity, attention to detail and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-expectation environment.
\n
• The confidence to manage multiple priorities while working effectively with colleagues, clients and external advisers.
\n

\n

\n

Apply

\n

\n

\n
• If you have built a strong foundation in Financial Due Diligence and want to move into a more commercial, varied and client-facing M&A role, please apply in confidence.
\n
• This is an outstanding opportunity to join a respected and growing advisory business where you will work on live transactions, develop rapidly and build a genuine career in M&A.
\n