At Grant Thornton we do things differently - looking to the future, driving ambitious growth and pioneering positive change in our industry. Providing audit, tax and advisory services, we empower clients through strategic insight, curiosity, and genuine partnership. And we empower our people with real opportunity, an inclusive culture and work life balance. A true alternative.
With over 5,000 people in the UK, and a presence in 150 global markets, we're on an ambitious journey, from great to exceptional, and we need the best people to help us achieve our potential. And with that comes the opportunity to help redefine what our industry looks like, and what you want from your career.
Do you have Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) experience? Our market leading SPA team at Grant Thornton is hiring at all grades to continue our rapid growth! We work with corporates, private equity houses and other investors across a wide range of sectors, advising on the financial aspects of acquisitions and disposals, from completion mechanisms and price adjustments through to sale and purchase agreement (SPA) negotiations. We are seeking ADs with the technical and commercial skills who enjoy protecting value for clients undertaking acquisitions and disposals. Successful candidates should have transactions experience, a good understanding of completion mechanisms, enterprise to equity value bridges and the financial aspects of SPAs. Candidate will ideally have 3-5 years’ transaction and/or SPA advisory experience and be ACA (or equivalent) qualified.
As a SPA Associate Director within our team, you will:
· Take responsibility and ownership of the client relationship at the appropriate level in the client's organisation at board level.
· Consult effectively with specialists within the firm when faced with complex risk management.
· Oversee and manage letters of engagement internally and with the client.
· Develop solutions to complex technical issues.
· Interpret and analyse complex information, identifying business issues and applying technical knowledge appropriately.
· Oversee the preparation of deliverables to client, such as financial analysis, ensuring quality output is produced which is relevant to the transaction.
· Lead on completion mechanism matters, including net debt, working capital and other price adjustment calculations, ensuring analysis is robust and well supported.
· Review final drafts of our output.
· Manage all aspects of the transaction competently, including managing any junior team members involved on the project on technical aspects of the transaction.
· Set the fee estimate and oversees the drafting of the engagement letter.
· Lead the presentation of conclusions and recommendations to the client and discuss the implications and action points.
· Proactively seek out business development opportunities.
· Suggest innovative selling solutions whilst pro-actively identifying cross-selling opportunity.
· Review and participate in negotiations on the financial aspects of SPAs, including warranties, indemnities and disclosure letters, working closely with legal advisers.
· Lead, motivate and coach managers by inducting effectively, giving regular feedback and timely performance reviews.
· Prepare fee estimates and budgets for client assignments and manage client expectations about changes and overruns.
Joining us as a SPA AD, the minimum criteria you’ll need is a professional qualification (ACA, ICAS, CA, ACCA or CIPFA) with post qualification transaction advisory experience (ideally 3-5 years, gained within a transaction services, corporate finance or SPA advisory environment), and to be confident managing a portfolio of SPA advisory engagements.
It would be great if you had some of the following skills, but don’t worry if you don’t tick every box, we’ll help you develop along the way:
· Some years experience in transactions/deals including experience of advising on financial aspects of SPAs
· Strong technical understanding of completion mechanisms, including locked box and completion accounts structures, and net debt and working capital adjustments.
· Experience reviewing and negotiating the financial aspects of SPAs, including warranties and indemnities.
· A level of business development experience, including converting sales opportunities and building long-term client relationships.
· Experience managing and developing junior team members across multiple, concurrent engagements.
· Strong report writing and communication skills, with the ability to present complex financial analysis clearly to clients and other stakeholders.
The culture at Grant Thornton is what sets us apart, we’re known for our inclusive culture and creating environments where all our people can flourish. The things that set you apart, we value them, and this helps us all to perform at our best.
Our values are the unwavering principles that shape our daily behaviours and decisions, alongside our drive to do the right thing. We’re looking for people who align with our values and are purposefully driven, actively curious and candid but kind. You can learn more about our values in practice here.
It’s not just about our culture and values, in addition to a competitive salary and reward package, us you’ll also get:
Tailored development programmes and access to coaching
Flexible bank holidays – allowing you to celebrate the days that are important to you
Benefits including pension, life assurance and private medical, additional holiday purchasing and health benefits
Anytime benefits giving you access to shopping discounts, gym memberships, financial advice
And more. Visit our benefits section to read more.
We have a trust-based way of working, driven by responsible people who have the best interests of our firm and our clients at heart. Our how we work framework gives flexibility in where, how, and when we work to deliver the best results for our clients, whilst helping you keep a balance between work and life. Life is more than work, the things you do, and the people you’re with outside of work matter, that’s why we’re happy to look at flexible working options for all our roles. That is how it should be.
We’re looking for people who can help drive the business forward, who want to contribute, spark fresh ideas and go beyond expectations. People who want to be able to proudly do what’s right, for the firm, our clients, our people and themselves. It’s how it should be.
When choosing an advisor, you could accept the usual compromises.
Alternatively, you can find people that aren’t afraid to break with the norms to provide a more rewarding experience. With people that leave you feeling smart, not smarting.
The UK member firms of Grant Thornton are part of a global network that employs over 76,000 people in 150 countries. We combine global scale with local insight and understanding to give you the assurance, tax, and advisory services you need to realise your ambitions.
We go beyond business as usual, so you can too. We make business more personal by investing in building relationships. Whether you’re growing in one market or many, you consistently get a great service you can trust. We work at a pace that matters – yours – bringing both flexibility and rigour. We celebrate fresh thinking and diverse perspectives to bring you proactive insights and positive progress.
Ready to go beyond? Visit our website for insight on what we can offer you.
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‘Grant Thornton’ refers to the brand under which the Grant Thornton member firms provide assurance, tax and advisory services to their clients and/or refers to one or more member firms, as the context requires. Grant Thornton UK LLP and Grant Thornton Advisory & Tax LLP are member firms of Grant Thornton International Ltd (GTIL). GTIL and the member firms are not a worldwide partnership. GTIL and each member firm is a separate legal entity. Services are delivered by the member firms. GTIL does not provide services to clients. GTIL and its member firms are not agents of, and do not obligate, one another and are not liable for one another’s acts or omissions. This publication has been prepared only as a guide. No responsibility is accepted by us for loss occasioned to any person acting or refraining from acting as a result of any material in this publication.
