The opportunity

Our Transaction Diligence team aims to assist clients throughout the entire transaction process and works closely with other specialists across EY. Whilst traditional financial due diligence is a key element of our work, transaction support is much broader, incorporating assistance with strategic assessment, transaction management, negotiation and documentation, and post-completion processes.

Typically, you will analyse the financial and operational results of companies in different sectors targeted for investment by reviewing financial information and participating in interviews and Q&A with management. You’ll work effectively as a team member by demonstrating your commitment to quality, sharing responsibility, providing support, maintaining communication and updating senior team members on progress. You will work on opportunities across East Africa and occasionally across Central Africa.

You will also help to create a positive learning culture for junior team members and support their development. And as part of your role in the wider team, you’ll have a role to play in other team initiatives – for example, account management and contribute to recruitment of new team members.

Your key responsibilities

• Understand the key business drivers, co-developing our approach with the client, agreeing value measurements with the client, providing value to the client through insights, factual conclusions and advice
• Work closely with all members as well as forming strong internal links within Strategy and Transactions and other Service Lines in EY both in East Africa, Africa Sub-Area as well as other areas to form multi-disciplinary teams
• Gather, verify and analyse information, and formulate views
• Plan, prepare and review deliverables in various forms including excel data books, written reports, presentations and discussions with the clients
• Plan and monitor the progress of the team
• Understand the capabilities of the firm and look for opportunities to sell additional services to our clients
• Manage your engagements to ensure timely delivery as well as meet your revenue and margin targets

To qualify for the role, you must have

• Bachelor’s degree demonstrating strong academic record with minimum 4 to 5 years of relevant work experience
• Chartered Accountant or equivalent professional qualification
• Commercial awareness gained through direct experience of different economic sectors (either from within an Audit or Transaction Support/Corporate Finance role)
• Effective written and verbal communication
• Strong MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint skills. Data analytics skills will be an added advantage

Skills and attributes for success

• Demonstrate a keen interest in the accounting and finance
• Excellent analytical and interpersonal abilities
• Ability to work well within a team
• Self-driven and ability to work with minimal supervision
• Strong work initiative and the ability to adapt to new challenges and ideas

Ideally, you also have

• Prior experience of working on mergers and acquisitions
• Experience gained within another large professional services organization, Investment Bank or Private Equity firm covering Transaction Diligence
• Experience in East Africa or a developed country