Contract: Full-time (37.5 hours per week, Monday to Friday)
Salary: Competitive starting salary
Reports to: Transaction and Advisory Services Manager

If you are a graduate or soon-to-be graduate, our Transaction and Advisory Services Graduate Scheme is your gateway into a people-focused career with significant earning potential, bringing you new challenges and learning opportunities along the way. No prior experience in accounting or a specific degree is required!

Our Transaction and Advisory Services Graduate Scheme could be the start of your journey to becoming an expert in M&A and wider transaction advisory services – including financial due diligence, corporate valuations, financial modelling and wider advisory services - as part of one of the most active dealmaking teams in the UK.

Our Transaction and Advisory Services team provide a range of advisory services to a wide array of clients, including those looking to buy businesses, sell businesses, or raise finance. This includes supporting clients through complex M&A processes, and in the case of clients buying businesses, ensuring that they understand the target’s financial health and forecast prospects - identifying risks, and providing valuable data-driven insights that shape successful deals.

We are a market-leading firm, supporting on c.150 deals annually worth over £2.0bn in value. Our deals typically range from £1m to £50m.

We are a highly experienced, award-winning team that provides valuable deal support. Transaction and Advisory Services is all about combining analytical skills, commercial awareness, and clear communication to deliver robust advice. Your role will involve financial analysis, risk assessment, and working closely with clients and other advisers to ensure transactions run smoothly.

Your role will be based in Birmingham, which has one of the largest professional networks/communities outside of London, offering excellent opportunities for your professional development.

Responsibilities:

• Undertaking financial analysis for inclusion within financial due diligence reports and other deliverables – primarily using Excel. You will also be given the opportunity to develop skills with other data analysis tools.

• Drafting financial due diligence reports/sections using PowerPoint – based on the financial analysis prepared and risks, conclusions and recommendations identified.

• Assisting with the development of financial models and valuation reports.

• Supporting the management of engagements, including liaising with clients/targets, legal advisors and wider deals teams.

• Supporting the team in expanding the current client portfolio. This would include inputting into pitch documents, participating in networking, developing your professional network, and being an ambassador of the firm.

You can expect to:

• Build your commercial acumen by working with clients across diverse sectors.

• Gain exposure to high-profile transactions and develop a deep understanding of deal structures.

• Work closely with senior team members and clients from an early stage.

• Enhance your professional network within the Midlands dealmaking community.

• Develop your skills through formal and informal training, including bespoke courses.

Training and development

Training with PKF Smith Cooper offers depth and variety in client assignments. Our graduates benefit from exposure to a wide range of work with businesses of all sizes, many of them local to our offices.

Our partners take a direct interest in the development and progression of our graduates. We aim to equip every graduate with the skills they need to become a future leader – our Managing Partner started out at PKF Smith Cooper as a graduate himself, so who knows what you could achieve through our graduate scheme!

As an ICAEW and ACCA Approved Training Employer, we are recognised for our high-quality training and development. As part of the graduate program, you have the opportunity to obtain your ACA qualification through a leading training provider. Additionally, you will have the benefit of studying alongside other trainees from different departments within the firm.

Your skills and qualities:

• Any degree at 2:1 or above, with a strong academic record at A Level and GCSE

• A genuine interest in pursuing a career in Transaction and Advisory Services

• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and critical-thinking abilities

• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal

• Close attention to detail and a commitment to delivering high-quality work

• Ability to work collaboratively within a team and adapt to changing priorities

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office is beneficial

• Although a driving licence and a car aren’t a requirement, it will be beneficial as you may need to travel to client sites

• No prior experience required

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 Birmingham?

In the heart of the vibrant city, our new, state-of-the-art office boasts a contemporary open plan working area, on-site gym with lockers and shower facilities, and a large roof terrace perfect for taking in the views of the city. Our Birmingham office is easily accessible via train, being adjacent to Snowhill Train Station and only a 10-minute walk from New Street Station.

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 the manager's 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?

If you believe you meet our requirements, we encourage you to apply! Even if you don’t meet 100% of the criteria, please submit your application. To do so, upload your CV and a cover letter to our job portal.

If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to a member of the People team at careers@pkfsmithcooper.com or by calling 01332 332021.

Please note that we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds; however, we are unable to accept applications from candidates who require a visa to work in the UK.

Also, we kindly ask that recruitment agencies refrain from contacting us unless we have directly reached out to you.