Katharine Byrne, BDO Partner, provides a comprehensive guide for aspiring graduates looking to build a career in Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A). It covers essential skills, qualifications, and experiences that can set you apart in this competitive field, along with insights on how to gain relevant exposure and develop the expertise needed to excel in M&A.
Navigating a career in Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) requires more than just an interest in finance. It demands a blend of technical skills, strategic thinking, and hands-on experience. At BDO, we understand the complexities of this field and are committed to guiding the next generation of M&A professionals. In this article, Katharine Byrne, Partner and Head of Deal Advisory shares practical advice and key steps on how to get started and thrive in M&A.
Katharine Byrne, also member of the BDO International M&A Group, has specialised in Corporate Finance for over 20 years having previously qualified as a Chartered Accountant in our Business Assurance & Advisory department. Katharine is also a member of BDO Global Private Equity Group and the Financial Services Steering Group.
Each year BDO actively recruits graduates as part of what is known as the university “milk round”. About three quarters of the recruits who come into BDO this way have business degrees. However, increasingly graduates in areas such as engineering and science are sought too, and particularly IT, as long as they can demonstrate an interest in business and in developing deals.
Regardless of your primary degree, what is also required for a good M&A specialist are soft skills such as a strong ability to work with people, good communications, analytical abilities and problem-solving skills.
Of the graduates BDO takes in each year as part of the milk round, only six or seven will get to specialise in mergers and acquisitions, while others concentrate on audit and tax.
It typically takes 3½ years to achieve their professional qualification. After that, some will stay and work in the
M&A advisory team, while some
will move out into industry and work as part of an in-house M&A team.
Those with M&A advisory experience are also much sought-after as Chief Financial Officers.
With only 10-15% of graduate programme recruits making it into the M&A stream, it’s a highly competitive process, so any achievements outside of your academic abilities will stand to you. If the team sees a good fit in other ways, you don’t have to have a first-class honours degree behind you, points out Byrne.
To really boost your chances, try to get on one of the work placements professional services firms like BDO offers college students, or their summer holiday work experience programmes.
You do need to be quite academic for the study element of the programme but you also have to be able to think on your feet, she explains. It’s a great way to get a taster of what working in M&A is like.
Breaking into the M&A field is both challenging and rewarding, requiring a combination of the right education, experience, and networking. At BDO, we believe that with the right mindset and support, aspiring M&A professionals can find their unique path to success.
Start building your career foundation today, and let BDO be a part of your journey.