Sales & Purchase Agreement - Assistant Manager

An Assistant Manager must be capable of assisting with transactions and handling smaller transactions; must interface with clients, management, external financiers and other professionals. An assistant manager should know when to seek advice from the manager/senior manager and other specialists as appropriate (e.g. tax) and demonstrate strong commercial flair.

Come and think independently with an organisation that's doing the same. We're determined to help shape a Vibrant Economy in the UK and beyond. It's why we empower our people to bring new ideas to the table and take the lead in driving them forward. It's invigorating. It's inspiring. It's creating opportunities every day for our clients, our business, and everyone here. So bring your passion, ambitions and ideas, and together, let's make change happen.

Our clients are dynamic and ambitious and we provide throughout the entire life cycle of any transactions they undertake in order to support their growth strategies. In transaction services, you'll combine strategic thinking with practical delivery of operational solutions. You'll work with clients throughout the transaction process to assist with their strategy, identify risks, execute the deal and help unlock the potential for growth and value creation in their organisation. You'll help them achieve their business goals, enable them to grow sustainably and in turn help to shape a vibrant economy.

What you'll be doing:

The Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) Advisory team:

We advise shareholders, corporate and private equity buyers and sellers on the pricing mechanisms and the financial aspects of Sale & Purchase Agreements (the legal document behind acquisitions & disposals). We offer clients this specialised expertise, for both domestic and cross-border transactions, across a full range of sectors. The team includes completion mechanism specialists and forensic dispute experts, working together pre and post deal to protect value. We also work closely with our Due Diligence and Corporate Finance teams. As well as advising clients on deals, we are leading the way to establish and improve market best practice in SPA Agreements. In 2016 we authored the Best Practice Guideline: “Completion Mechanisms Determining the Equity Value in Transactions”, published by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW). In 2017 we undertook extensive research and published the first International SPA Survey: “Identifying international market practice for equity value adjustments and Sale and Purchase Agreements”.

The team has an immediate need for a new Assistant Manager level joiner to facilitate and continue its exceptional growth.

The role:

The team is looking for a highly motivated, qualified accountant seeking a new challenge in a fast growing team, with significant scope for personal development, to learn the specifics of advising on SPAs and Completion Mechanisms.

Whilst previous transactions and/or SPA experience (either from a Corporate Finance, Private Equity, Transactions Advisory Services or Disputes/Forensics perspective) is preferable, it is not essential, and the right candidate would develop the requisite skillset to deliver this high-value, interesting work.

The role is technical, but ultimately the work done directly influences the ultimate price paid or received for the deal and so it requires a strong commercial mind-set.

The day-to-day role will be varied, with a variety of clients across all industries, and involving the creation of data books, understanding the target business, considering the accounting and financial aspects of legal documents, advising buyers and sellers on their proposed transaction mechanics, and communicating regarding all of these with senior stakeholders. The role will also involve client take-on and risk management tasks.

An Assistant Manager must be capable of assisting the senior team with larger transactions and taking a more significant role on smaller transactions.

The role will involve significant discussion with clients, lawyers, target business management, external financiers, and other professionals, including other Grant Thornton teams.

An Executive will play a role in the development and delivery of the team's business development plans, including (but not limited to): networking internally and externally, drafting thought leadership (such as the team's International SPA Survey), and delivering presentations to a variety of audiences.

The role may include some occasional travel, including internationally, primarily for business development purposes.

Who we're looking for:

•You'll have a genuine interest in our clients. We want to provide a distinctive service and unlock potential for growth in dynamic organisations.
•You'll know that what you do matters. As an organisation we want to be known for how we do business, not simply what we do. So, we need people who know that every act matters from the simple things to the insights we bring to clients.
•You'll seize opportunities. We want to adapt quickly and wisely to changing conditions to optimise growth for both our clients and ourselves.
•You'll apply critical reasoning to bring clarity and insight. We do it by asking great questions, listening and drawing on our collective knowledge and experience to really help others grow.

The Person

To succeed in this varied and demanding role you will need to demonstrate the following skills and experience:

•ACA qualified or equivalent;
•Experience on transaction related work and/or SPAs is preferable, but not essential;
•A commercial mindset, with an appreciation of how the advice delivered will affect value paid or received by our clients;
•Experience communicating with senior stakeholders, the role will require an ability to talk with credibility to the senior management of both our clients and counterparties;
•Develops strong client relationships on engagements;
•A commitment to working under occasional high pressure and tight, often fluid deadlines;
•Excellent written and oral communication. Presentation skills and relevant presentations experience preferable;
•Strong IT skills, in particular, Microsoft Excel.

Who we're looking for:

Passionate about supporting, advising and helping businesses achieve their potential, you'll be someone who wants to make a difference and shape your career and a Vibrant Economy. You'll have strong technical skills and experience of providing clients with quality services.

You should be commercially focused with the ability to deliver innovative solutions. You should be focused on self-development as well as having the desire to coach, mentor and develop your colleagues. You must also share our CLEARR values - Collaboration, Leadership, Excellence, Agility, Respect and Responsibility.

We're looking for people who have a strong connection with and share our core beliefs:

•Profit with a purpose that leads to a sustainable business
•We create sustainable value for our clients
•We are better together
•Our CLEARR values underpin all we do
•We never compromise on quality

Valuing you

Your personal development plan will help you grow your skills. And you'll be able to progress your career within your team or by moving across our business or going on secondments in the UK and beyond. You'll also enjoy a competitive salary and a flexible benefits package designed to meet your individual needs.

Becoming a shared enterprise

Our unique culture is built around collaboration. Everybody here plays their part. We share ideas. We share responsibility. We share the rewards. Put simply, we're better together.

The time you spend outside of work helps shape what you can bring to our firm. We value the commitments you may have outside of work and will consider all flexible working applications.