Building a Career in M&A: Beyond the Numbers
Mergers and acquisitions can be a fast-paced, challenging and highly rewarding career path.
In this episode of Inside Corporate Finance, Marie-Audrey De Marco, an Associate at Indosuez Corporate Advisory – IMAP France shares why working in M&A offers the opportunity to learn quickly, work across different types of transactions and industries, and be involved in strategic decisions that can shape the future of companies.
Why Choose a Career in M&A?
Corporate finance offers a steep learning curve. For professionals considering a career in mergers and acquisitions, that challenge is also part of what makes the work exciting. Every transaction is different. Working in M&A means gaining exposure to different industries and types of deals. It also means being at the center of strategic decision making and as Marie-Audrey explains, M&A advisors can be involved in decisions that not only shape the future of the company they are advising but also have an impact on wider industries.
M&A Is More Than Financial Analysis
Financial analysis is a key part of any M&A transaction, but it is not the only aspect that matters. One of the things Marie-Audrey values most about working in mergers and acquisitions is the holistic nature of the role. Advisors need to consider not only the financial aspects of a transaction, but also the strategic and legal aspects.
Early Exposure to Founders and Management Teams
Another important part of working in M&A is the exposure it provides to founders and the management teams of major companies. Marie-Audrey highlights that M&A professionals can gain this exposure early in their careers, during important milestones such as acquisitions or the sale of a company. This gives professionals the opportunity to see how important corporate finance decisions are made and how different stakeholders approach key moments in a transaction.
The Human Side of M&A
M&A is often associated with financial analysis, strategy, and transaction execution, but the human aspect is also essential. As Marie-Audrey explains, the human side of a transaction can sometimes be underestimated, but it is key to the success of a deal.
Advice for Anyone Considering M&A
For anyone considering a career in mergers and acquisitions, Marie-Audrey’s advice is simple: go for it. M&A is challenging, but it offers the opportunity to learn a lot, work in a dynamic environment, and be involved in meaningful strategic decisions.
Watch the full video to hear Marie-Audrey’s perspective on why corporate finance and M&A can be such an exciting and rewarding career path.
Jurgis V. Oniunas
IMAP Chairman
At the start of the year, the outlook for Q1 was highly optimistic, with expectations of slowing inflation, lower interest rates, and improving growth projections. Unfortunately, we live in interesting times. Early in the year, speculation around the disruptive impact of AI on traditional SaaS business models triggered a significant revaluation in parts of the Software sector. More recently, escalation in the Middle East conflict has introduced fresh volatility – pushing oil prices higher, adding upward pressure on inflation, and creating supply-chain uncertainties. While it is too early to tell how these new shocks will eventually affect the global M&A market, we can be sure that our dealmakers around the world are on the ground every day – negotiating, re-evaluating, adjusting positions, and adapting to whatever the environment throws at them to deliver the best outcomes for their clients. They’ve done it for over 50 years, and that’s exactly what they’ll continue to do, no matter the conditions.
