EY-Parthenon - Deals - Financial Diligence - Buy Side - Senior Associate

Location: Dallas, Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, McLean, New York, San Francisco, San Jose

About the role

At EY-Parthenon, we combine transformative strategy, transactions, and corporate finance to deliver real-world value—solutions that work in practice, not just on paper. Leveraging EY’s full spectrum of services, we’ve reimagined strategic consulting for a world of increasing complexity. With deep functional and sector expertise, innovative AI-powered technology, and an investor mindset, we partner with CEOs, Boards, Private Equity firms, and Governments to shape the future with confidence.

In a high-stakes environment where speed is critical, companies face strong competition for quality assets and stakeholder scrutiny regarding acquisitions. M&A success starts with comprehensive diligence; it's the only way to understand if the deal is the right decision at the right price. As a Senior Associate in EY-Parthenon’s Deals – Financial Diligence – Buy Side practice, you'll work on complex deals with some of the world’s largest organizations, fastest-growing companies, and private equity firms. You’ll advise clients throughout the diligence lifecycle on key drivers to increase value and reduce risks inherent in transactions.

Responsibilities

• Analyze financial data and identify key trends behind business performance.
• Discuss business performance and forecast assumptions with team management.
• Help write reports outlining findings and recommendations around key financial and business issues in a transaction.
• Assist in developing staff and ensuring their career growth.
• Work in a team environment with financial due diligence professionals on projects across various sectors.
• Understand client business profit drivers and trends, challenge assumptions of future performance, and assist with purchase agreements and post-closing transaction matters.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance and a minimum of 2 years of related work experience; or a graduate degree and approximately 18 months of related work experience.
• Public accounting experience.
• Transaction experience is a plus.
• Excellent analytical skills and the confidence to translate complex data into meaningful insights.
• Ability to prioritize effectively on projects and adapt quickly to new challenges and concepts.
• Solid negotiation and influencing skills, with the ability to develop long-lasting relationships both internally and externally.
• Must reside in or be within commutable distance to one of the office locations for this position.
• Ability and willingness to travel and work in excess of standard hours when necessary. Travel may be required beyond your work location based on client and project needs.

Skills

• Ability to handle financial due diligence engagements.
• Experience analyzing financial and operational results of businesses to be acquired or sold through reviewing accounting records and conducting interviews with management.
• Ability to identify negotiation factors for purchase price and deal structuring.
• Up-to-date knowledge of industry trends, technologies, seasonality, and cyclicality on cash flow requirements to provide insight to clients.
• Excellent Microsoft Excel skills, including processing, manipulating, and concisely presenting large amounts of data.
• Knowledge of Alteryx and Microsoft Power BI is a plus.

Preferred Qualifications

• A proven record of excellence in an audit and/or M&A transactions role.
• An active CPA certification.
• Experience gained within another large professional services organization.
• Established networking skills in a relevant industry.
• Knowledge of how to leverage firm-approved AI tools in a business setting, including Microsoft Copilot.

What We Look For

We seek talented professionals with the ability to visualize clients' goals and think creatively to facilitate them. If you have an entrepreneurial spirit and a genuine passion for taking on new challenges, this role is for you.

Pay

The base salary range for this job in all geographic locations in the US is $96,800 to $159,600. The base salary range for New York City Metro Area, Washington State, and California (excluding Sacramento) is $116,000 to $181,400. Individual salaries within those ranges are determined by factors including education, experience, knowledge, skills, and geography.

Benefits

• Comprehensive compensation and benefits package, rewarding performance and recognizing value.
• Medical and dental coverage.
• Pension and 401(k) plans.
• Flexible vacation policy, allowing you to decide how much vacation time you need based on personal circumstances.
• Time off for designated EY Paid Holidays, Winter/Summer breaks, Personal/Family Care, and other leaves of absence to support physical, financial, and emotional well-being.

Schedule

Join us in our team-led and leader-enabled hybrid model. Our expectation is for most people in external, client-serving roles to work together in person 40-60% of the time over the course of an engagement, project, or year.