Transaction Services Executive in Preston

We are on the lookout for motivated and committed individuals to join our independent award-winning M&A advisory firm.

About Cortus Advisory

Cortus Advisory Group helps buy, sell, fund, grow and fix businesses and operates across six UK offices in Leeds, Manchester, Preston, Nottingham, Birmingham and London. Comprising of 55+ professionals, our team brings together professionals at different stages of their careers, creating a supportive and inclusive environment. The overall vision for Cortus is to create a truly collaborative and inclusive professional services business where everyone can have a varied, enjoyable, and successful career.

Our Culture and Values

Cortus is founded on simple key values of Integrity, Collaboration and Expertise, and we demonstrate them around our foundations of supporting Colleagues, Clients and Communities. Our own working philosophy is particularly supportive, and you will have access to our market leading training and development programme, RISE, which focuses on technical skills, complex behavioural skills and coaching. As well as being mentored by our experienced team.

The opportunity

We are seeking a highly motivated and analytically minded Transaction Services Executive to join our Financial Due Diligence (FDD) team. In this role, you will support buy‑side, sell‑side and refinancing transactions across a diverse range of sectors, helping clients understand the financial health, underlying performance, and key risks of target businesses.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform detailed analysis of financial statements, including income statements, balance sheets, cash flow statements, and working capital.
• Compile and analyze financial data including identification of trends, perform sector and client research, attend meetings with clients and in general.
• Identify key trends in profitability, earnings quality, cash flow drivers, and business performance.
• Assess normalised EBITDA, run‑rate performance, and pro‑forma adjustments.
• Evaluate forecast assumptions, business plans, and historical trading patterns.
• Provide Financial Due Diligence services to investors, corporate and entrepreneurs looking to buy, sell or refinance their business.
• Contribute to due diligence reports, highlighting key findings, risks, and commercial implications.

Client Delivery & Communication

• Support senior team members in managing engagements from planning to completion.
• Prepare clear, concise, and insightful written reports for clients.
• Present observations and financial insights to managers and partners.
• Assist in liaising with clients, vendors, legal advisors, and other stakeholders throughout the transaction process.

Project & Team Support

• Help structure and coordinate workstreams across multiple engagements.
• Contribute to project timelines, ensuring deliverables are met accurately and on schedule.
• Participate in developing client proposals, scoping documents, and pitch materials.
• Support the team in building sector knowledge and market insights.

You will get on the job training from an experienced management team as well as benefiting from a thorough onboarding programme to ensure you transition successfully into the role. We have roles available in Manchester, Leeds, Nottingham and Preston with occasional travel to other offices in the UK and client premises.

Application requirements

Required

• ACA, ACCA, or equivalent — a minimum of one year post qualified.
• Strong financial analysis skills with an excellent understanding of accounting principles (UK GAAP and IFRS).
• Experience in audit, corporate finance, or financial analysis (typically from a professional services environment).
• Ability to explain complex financial issues clearly and concisely.
• Proficiency with Excel and ability to handle large datasets confidently.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, and report‑writing skills.

Preferred (but not essential)

• Prior experience in Transaction Services, FDD, or M&A advisory.
• Experience with private equity clients or entrepreneurial mid‑market businesses.
• Understanding of sector trends in the UK mid‑market and/or private equity landscape.

Personal Attributes

• Commercial mindset with an interest in deals, business performance, and value drivers.
• Self‑motivated, enthusiastic, and able to take initiative.
• Strong attention to detail combined with the ability to see the bigger picture.
• Comfortable working in fast‑paced, deal‑driven environments.
• Collaborative team player with a willingness to learn.
• A keen interest in AI and data analytics is also valuable.

During our application process, you will be asked three questions to help us learn more about you and how you align with our values. These will be used as part of our selection criteria, to determine if we progress your application further.

We’re looking for someone who embraces the Cortus values:

• Integrity — Our honest approach makes us human; we provide advice with understanding.
• Collaboration is key — We work closely with our clients in an agile manner to ensure we provide the right team, with the right skills, to deliver the best solution.
• Expertise — We strive to maximise the potential of our team through focused training programmes.

Here’s what you will get at Cortus

• Competitive base salary and bonus (benchmarked twice a year to market)
• Annual Leave – Team members receive 25 days of annual leave plus public holidays
• Birthday Leave – Take the day off to celebrate your birthday
• Company sick pay
• Option to purchase annual leave
• One-to‑one mentoring
• Flexible working options
• Enhanced paternity / maternity / sick leave
• Annual Peer/Mentoring allowance
• Health cash plan
• Pension salary sacrifice scheme – with employer contributions being paid on full salary
• Cycle to work scheme
• Annual Corporate Conference
• Annual CSR day
• Mental health support
• Supported study programmes
• Referral bonus

How to apply

We’re excited to connect directly with talented individuals for this opportunity. At this time, we kindly ask that recruitment agencies do not contact us regarding this vacancy. If Cortus sounds like the kind of place you’d like to work, apply below. Close date for applications will be 5.30pm on Friday 20th February.

Equal Opportunities

Cortus is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds. We also believe that every candidate should have an equal opportunity to demonstrate their abilities so if you need any adjustments during the hiring process, let us know so we can support you.