M&A advisor's job description

M&A advisors, also known as M&A analysts or deal managers, guide companies in the development and execution of financial transactions. So, what does an M&A consultant do? Profile, missions, skills, training, salary... Answers with IPAG Business School in this article on the job of M&A advisor.

What is the role of the M&A consultant?

An M&A analyst is an M&A (mergers and acquisitions) professional who advises companies on complex financial transactions. Mergers with another company, buy-outs, sales of subsidiaries, IPOs, restructuring...: this professional guides companies through these financial transactions, which can prove tricky to set up.

Throughout the financial operation, the advisor is assisted by legal, tax and financial market experts. Working in collaboration with company management, the M&A advisor uses his or her expertise to consolidate companies and develop their external growth.

M&A analysts generally work for investment banks or audit firms, but can also specialize in specific sectors.

What are the main tasks of an M&A advisor?

The objective of the M&A advisor is to advise his client and execute the financial transaction. To do this, they hold numerous discussions with their clients to fully understand their projects and activities, and identify their needs. This analyst is required to carry out financial analysis, market analysis and risk assessment, in order to put in place a business strategy and the financial packages needed to consolidate the client company. On behalf of his client, he is in charge of various actions: strategic analysis, recommendations, introduction of a target or acquirer, organization of the sale or purchase, etc. He is also responsible for the organizational process. They are responsible for the organizational process.

The job also involves advising the customer, proposing a plan and making specific recommendations based on the project in hand. The consultant will then model and manage the company's M&A operations.

What's the profile of an M&A advisor?

The job of M&A advisor is a very demanding one, requiring availability, flexibility and versatility. You need to be resilient to the stress and adrenalin that are increasingly prevalent towards the end of the transaction. So, what's the right profile for this job, where the work becomes increasingly complicated as the process progresses (over 6 months - 1 year)?

What are the technical skills required of an M&A consultant?

This profession, which combines strategy, financial analysis and business analysis, requires expertise in a wide range of fields, including finance, law, commerce and accounting. Working both in France and internationally, M&A consultants have a perfect command of English and possibly another language.

This professional has a solid grounding in computerized financial modeling tools (Excel), prospecting and benchmarking techniques, and competitor analysis. To ensure successful completion of financial operations, this expert masters the legal and tax aspects of set-ups, risk management and commercial negotiation techniques. To find business clients, this advisor is adept at building a network and making contacts.

What are the personal qualities of an M&A consultant?

In addition to professional skills, certain qualities are essential to the successful completion of assignments. The M&A advisor needs to have an intuitive mind and business acumen to detect the right financial deals. They have a sense of risk, and are quick to react and creative in devising financial scenarios.

A strong capacity for analysis, commitment and availability to the tasks at hand are also imperative for this profession. Working in collaboration with a variety of experts, the M&A analyst is a good listener, a good teacher and a fine negotiator.

IPAG's master's degree in corporate finance provides the know-how and skills needed to become an M&A consultant.

What training is required to become an M&A consultant?

There is no standard training to become an M&A advisor, but recruitment is based on a 5-year university degree. Various business schools, engineering schools and universities offer specialized masters degrees in finance. During their studies, students can specialize in corporate finance, financial engineering, accounting, control and auditing. An MBA in finance provides all the knowledge in the field of mergers and acquisitions, and is also highly valued by recruiters.

At IPAG, we offer the Master in Corporate Finance and the Master in Market Finance to students wishing to apply for positions as M&A advisors. Our specialized masters programs provide future graduates with the professional skills they need to enter the world of finance.

What does an M&A consultant earn?

Graduates generally start out as auditors or junior analysts. Eventually, M&A analysts can progress to positions of greater responsibility. Depending on experience, the average annual salary ranges from €45,000 to €70,000 at the start of a career, and can exceed €90,000 for an experienced profile.

In recent years, the financial operations market has undergone rapid change, and is becoming an employment-generating sector. This field offers a wide range of opportunities. Find out more about corporate finance professions.