Strategy and Transactions - Transaction Diligence - FSO - Senior

Location: New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Charlotte

SaT – Financial Services – Transaction Diligence – Senior

EY is a leader in serving the global financial services marketplace and the only professional services firm with a separate business unit dedicated to the financial services industry – the Financial Services Organization (FSO). Our focused model and bold ambition have put us at the center of the events that continue to reshape and redefine our industry, working side by side with a range of clients from our most venerable institutions to dynamic new entrants across Banking and Capital Markets, Wealth and Asset Management and Insurance. Our purpose is to help build a financial services industry in which financial institutions are trusted and flourish, and the global economy is healthy, growing, and secure. If you have a passion for rallying together to solve complex challenges, then come join our dynamic FSO team! 

The potential for error is high in an environment where speed is critical. Companies looking for local and global deals face strong competition for quality assets and stakeholder scrutiny regarding acquisitions. M&A success starts with comprehensive diligence, it's the only way to understand if the deal is the right decision at the right price.

As a Transaction Diligence Senior – Financial Services Office, you'll be involved in the heart of the action. You'll work with many of the world's largest financial services organizations and private equity funds on some of the most complex deals. You'll be part of our team advising clients throughout the diligence lifecycle on key value drivers while reducing the risks and uncertainty inherent in transactions. 

The opportunity

You'll be working in a team environment with financial due diligence professionals on both buy-side and sell-side due diligence across the financial services industry, including but not limited to the following sectors:

• Wealth and asset management: Investment managers, hedge funds, wealth managers, fund administrators and adjacent services companies and adjacent technology companies.
• Banking & capital markets: Investment banking, broker dealers, exchanges, banks, specialty finance, cryptocurrency, etc. and adjacent technology companies.
• Insurance: Carriers, administrators, brokers, MGAs and underwriters in the life, health, accident, and property & casualty spaces and adjacent technology companies.
• Professional services.

Our team serves both private equity and corporate clients by gaining an understanding of the business, operations and historical results of the client or target to identify and advise on the financial risks related to the transaction. Our advice is developed through analyzing historically reported financial information, profit drivers, and trends, challenging whether historical results reflect run-rate/forecast profitability. Having an appreciation for industry specific practices and key performance indicators drives the uniqueness of the due diligence process for financial services businesses. We assist clients in understanding the factors affecting purchase price and post-closing transaction matters.

Your key responsibilities

As a Senior in Transaction Diligence, you will be a vital member of the team executing both buy-side and sell-side financial due diligence projects. You'll be focused on:

• Leading analysis of historical financial data.
• Identifying key trends behind the performance of a business.
• Discussing business performance and forecast assumptions with senior management.
• Helping write reports that set out the findings and recommendations around the key financial and business issues in a transaction.
• You will also be helping to identify innovative ways to further utilize our global delivery services team and new technologies to improve our ability to service our clients.

Skills and attributes for success

• Working with Partners, Senior Managers and Managers to facilitate financial due diligence engagements.
• Analyzing financial and operational results of potential business acquisitions or divestitures through reviewing historical financial information and conducting interviews with executive management.
• Identifying financial factors affecting the purchase price and deal structure.
• Demonstrating knowledge of quality of earnings, net assets, and cash flows.
• Constantly researching industry trends and new technologies, to provide knowledge and insight to clients through dynamic analysis.

To qualify for the role, you must have

• A bachelor's degree in Accounting and/or Finance and 2 years of related work experience; or a graduate degree and approximately 18 months of related work experience.
• Excellent analytical skills and the confidence to translate large, complex datasets into meaningful insights.
• Ability to prioritize effectively on projects and the skills to adapt quickly to new challenges and concepts.
• Aptitude to work in fast paced, deadline driven environment.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Must be able to assist in delivering insightful analysis in response to key internal and external stakeholders’ requests.
• The ability and willingness to travel and work in excess of standard hours when necessary.
• Expertise in the Microsoft Office Suite, specifically in using Excel and PowerPoint.

Ideally, you'll also have

• Experience in roles providing financial due diligence or other related services to financial services and private equity clients.
• A proven record of excellence in audit and/or mergers or acquisitions transactions role. 
• An active CPA certification.
• Experience gained within another large professional services organization or public accounting experience.
• Experience with Alteryx, Power BI, Tableau, or other analytics tools.
• Established networking skills in a relevant industry.

What we look for

We're interested in talented professionals with the ability to visualize our clients' goals and think creatively to facilitate them - often in high paced environments. If you have an entrepreneurial spirit, and a genuine passion for taking on new challenges, this role is for you.

• Continuous learning: You’ll develop the mindset and skills to navigate whatever comes next.
• Success as defined by you: We’ll provide the tools and flexibility, so you can make a meaningful impact, your way.
• Transformative leadership: We’ll give you the insights, coaching and confidence to be the leader the world needs.
• Diverse and inclusive culture: You’ll be embraced for who you are and empowered to use your voice to help others find theirs.