M&A Associate/Senior Associate (Corporate Finance) in Exeter

Our multi-award-winning, market-leading Corporate Finance team continues to thrive, creating an exciting opportunity for a driven and ambitious professional to join us and advance their career in Corporate Finance. The team delivers expert guidance on a diverse range of transactions, fundraisings, and valuations, while also providing strategic insights to management teams and shareholders. With transactions typically ranging from £1m to £100m, our work increasingly extends across international borders through our global PKF network. The team are consistently rated the most active dealmakers in our region having advised on over 100 completed deals every year.

What you'll be doing day to day:

• Support the M&A team on varied assignments for clients across the UK.
• Lead on M&A transactions including pitching to prospective clients and playing an influential role.
• Engage with investors and buyers on mandates.
• Analyse extensive data to produce high-quality marketing materials.
• Coordinate client responses and address issues proactively.
• Evaluate initial bids to ensure competitive tension and profitable outcomes including negotiations on behalf of your client.
• Provide financial and commercial advice during deal closures.
• Conduct market research to assess industry trends and the impact of regulatory developments on clients.
• Collaborate closely with Partners, Directors, and other team members on a daily basis.
• Contribute to business development, including drafting proposals, attending events, and participating in pitch meetings.

About you:

• CFA/ACA qualified (or equivalent), although applicants nearing qualification may also be considered.
• Prior experience in corporate finance is desirable but not essential.
• Commercially minded, with an enquiring and analytical approach.
• Strong report-writing skills and experience of Microsoft Office.
• Excellent verbal communication skills and confidence in front of clients.
• Ability to work on your own with strong time management skills to meet deadlines.
• Ability to assimilate information from various sources quickly and construct robust reports.
• Team-oriented and flexible when required to assist the wider Corporate Finance team.
• The desire and ability to develop self and others.

Why work at PKF Francis Clark:

As the largest firm of independent chartered accountants and business advisers in South West England, PKF Francis Clark offers a wide range of opportunities to develop your career in the way that’s right for you. Established in 1919, we’ve grown to nearly 1,000 people across offices in Bristol, Exeter, Plymouth, Poole, Salisbury, Southampton, Taunton, Torquay and Truro. Our size means we can offer ambitious work with exciting clients and a friendly, supportive culture. We want you to belong, be yourself and do your best work as part of a forward-thinking team, with a flexible approach to hybrid working and a strong focus on wellbeing, learning and development.

For the past four years, PKF Francis Clark has been certified as a Great Place to Work and ranked among the UK’s Best Workplaces, rising to 6th out of 100 large organisations. We’re a top 10 Best Workplace for Women, as well as being ranked for Wellbeing, Development, and Consulting and Professional Services. These rankings are compiled by Great Place to Work, based on confidential, independent feedback from our people. In addition, we’re one of The Sunday Times Top 100 Apprenticeship Employers. Being a Certified B Corp means we’re held to high standards for environmental and social performance. We’re independently assessed to ensure we support our people, act responsibly and make long-term decisions that balance people and planet. We’re proudly independent, while collaborating internationally through the PKF Global family of firms. Together we’re the 13th largest provider of accountancy services in the UK, with connections to like-minded advisers in 150 countries.

Your core benefits:

• Group personal pension to help you build your future savings through employer and employee contributions.
• Group life assurance providing cover up to four times your basic annual salary.
• Group income protection available after six months’ service.
• Health cash plan giving money back on everyday health costs, with free cover for up to four dependent children (up to age 24 in full-time education) and the option to add a partner or spouse.

Mental wellbeing:

• Counselling and emotional support for you and your immediate family.
• Virtual GP and second opinion services for you and your immediate family.
• Access to trained Mental Health First Aiders for confidential, peer to peer support.

Physical wellbeing:

• Cycle to work scheme, with the option to purchase a bike and accessories up to £4,000.
• Discounted membership at gyms, pools and studios across the UK.
• Digital health and wellbeing tools available through the employee health cash plan.
• Support for colleagues experiencing menopause, as part of our Menopause Workplace Pledge, including webinars and a dedicated Microsoft Teams channel for ongoing support.

Additional benefits:

• Family friendly benefits, including enhanced pay, family leave coaching sessions and a parent network.
• The option to buy up to five extra days of holiday (pro rata for part-time colleagues).
• One paid volunteering day each year to support local organisations.
• Electric vehicle lease scheme (grade and pay criteria apply).
• Gifts to mark key career and family milestones.
• Expert led webinars on mental, physical and financial wellbeing.
• Francis Clark Charitable Foundation, offering support for current and former employees experiencing financial hardship.

Please be aware that the job title used internally may not align exactly with the title displayed in this advert.