Location: Nottingham

Contract: 8-week Internship

Closing date: 21st March 2025

Are you interested in becoming a skilled business advisor and a successful dealmaker in the field of Corporate Finance? If so, you might be the perfect candidate for our 8-week Corporate Finance Internship Program.

Our Corporate Finance team is a leader in mergers and acquisitions (M&A). We help our clients grow and transform their businesses by advising them on buying, selling, and raising capital. In 2022, we completed 161 deals with a combined value of over £2.3bn, ranking us as the 7th largest firm nationally. Our deals vary in size, from £1m to £50m.

As an intern, you will get hands-on experience working on real deals alongside our experienced and award-winning team. You will learn how to use a diverse set of advisory skills to find the best solution for our clients. You will also develop skills in market research, deal marketing, communication, commercial awareness, and financial analysis.

This internship is a unique opportunity to gain valuable insights into the world of corporate finance and to potentially secure a full-time graduate role with us. To be eligible, you must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate degree program. You must also be available to work for 8 weeks from July to August.

Click here to learn more about our Corporate Finance services.

The important work you will be doing :

• Analysing financial performance
• Undertaking research to support the valuation of private companies
• Researching sectors to identify potential purchasers or acquisition targets
• Detailed investigation into client businesses to fully understand the business model, value drivers, risks and opportunities
• Drafting Information Memoranda to solicit offers, and inputting to business plans to raise finance
• Assisting in the project management of transaction processes, including liaison with other financial advisers, solicitors, funders and clients

You can expect to:

• Work on real projects that will provide you with real insight into the business and sector you are working in
• Build your knowledge through a broad range of technical resources
• Develop your commercial acumen by working with clients from a variety of different sectors
• Learn the value of teamwork, problem-solving, presenting, and communicating effectively
• Assist the Corporate Finance leadership team on a wider team initiative

Why PKF Smith Cooper?

• Our company culture, built on our values – Engage, Empower and Excel – encourages initiative, personal growth, and collaboration. Every team member is appreciated and celebrated; a notion embodied in our Kudos Reward Scheme.
• The firm’s Partners, who remain actively invested in the development of employees, will both support and champion your professional development and progression.
• We work with ambitious businesses of different sizes across a variety of sectors, so no two jobs are the same.
• We are multi-award-winning accountants and business advisors, ranked the 12th biggest firm by UK fee income in the Accountancy Age Top 50+50.

Why Nottingham?

Nottingham is at the heart of the Midlands. A hub of music, sports and culture, the city always has plenty to do, ranging from concerts and local festivals to world-class sporting events. With an extensive bus and tram system, travel around the city and further afield is simple, with the Peak District and East Midlands airport only a short distance away.

PKF International

As an active member of PKF International, we are part of a large global network of legally independent accounting firms.

Located in the 5 fastest growing global markets, we have ground presence in 150 countries and span across many jurisdictions.

An ambitious, future-focused network, PKF provides a comprehensive range of services. Operating in unison with member firms across the world, we are able to share our ideas, expertise, and specialist resources to better serve our clients, delivering highly-personalised services and global connectivity through our client-centric culture. 

What's in it for you?

Our benefits package has been designed around our people and shaped by our values. As part of Team PKF Smith Cooper, here are some of the things you can expect:

• A working environment that empowers you to perform at your best, through our flexible working policy and dress for your diary scheme - Hybrid working during your probation period is subject to manager discretion 
• Time to do what matters to you – 25 days annual leave plus statutory bank holidays, the option to reduce annual hours for additional annual leave, and your birthday off, on us. Long-serving employees can also request a sabbatical, giving you the chance to make truly unforgettable memories
• Rewards for those who actively embrace and embody our values and culture through our Kudos Reward Scheme
• Regular social events and annual, company-wide away days, giving you the opportunity to engage with colleagues across your division and office, as well as the wider firm
• Bonus referral schemes for introducing new talent or clients so that when we benefit, you do too
• Life doesn’t stop at the end of the working day and neither do our benefits. We also offer life assurance, discounts on a huge variety of retailers through the PKF Smith Cooper Rewards Scheme, and cashback on healthcare (including dental visits, physiotherapy etc) through Healthshield

How to apply?

Apply now if you believe you have what we are looking for! Even if you do not tick 100% of the boxes, we would encourage you to apply. To do so, please upload a copy of your CV and a covering letter to our job portal. 

Should you have any questions, please contact a member of the People team - email recruitment@pkfsmithcooper.com or call 01332 332021. 

Please note that whilst we welcome and encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply for our vacancies, we are unfortunately unable to accept applications from candidates requiring a visa to work in the UK.

Please no agencies unless we have contacted you directly.