Our corporate finance graduate programme will give you all the skills and support you need to unlock a future that’s packed with opportunities and new experiences. You’ll enjoy a powerful combination of on-the-job learning and structured training – not to mention an impressive client list to work with.
When you join our team, you’ll discover a culture that nurtures individuality and an environment where everyone is supported to reach their potential. With us, you’ll always be moving forward.
What does our corporate finance team do?
Our team is one of the most active corporate finance advisers in the UK, advising on more than 1,000 deals in the past five years.
Our national network is broadly split into five distinct teams, two of which are our Merger and Acquisitions (M&A) and Due Diligence (DD) teams. When you apply to our corporate finance department, we’ll assess your skills and experience and select you for either DD or M&A.
DD: We support investors, banks and large corporates that are looking to buy or invest in a business. We identify potential issues that could impact on the purchase price, assess financial risks, and lay the groundwork for the successful integration of the acquired business.
M&A: We advise private shareholders and management teams that are looking to sell their business, make acquisitions, raise money for growth or carry out a management buy-out. We help them through all stages of the deal, including preparing for the transaction, researching options and negotiating the terms. Our work helps ensure our clients secure the best possible deal.
What can you expect?
Whichever team you join, you’ll be working on live projects from day one. In these fast-paced roles, you’ll learn what makes a business attractive to investors and buyers, and the possible funding options for companies looking to grow. You’ll be working with businesses and entrepreneurs from a broad range of industries and sectors as well as liaising with experts from other fields, such as law and banking.
If you join our DD team, you’ll work towards the ACA qualification.
If you join our M&A team, you’ll choose whether to work towards the ACA qualification or a hybrid ACA/Corporate Finance Qualification (CFQ) route.
For Scottish students who are successful in joining our team, you’ll choose whether to work towards the CA qualification (which is done through ICAS) or a hybrid ACA/Corporate Finance Qualification (CFQ) route through ICAEW.
Our expert mentors will help guide your decision.
What we look for
Our teams are on the lookout for students with a can-do attitude who are prepared to work hard and take on high levels of responsibility. You’ll be working on multiple projects at the same time so time management and organisational skills are key. Confidence with numbers and business awareness is a must, but you’ll also need excellent communication skills and be able to forge strong working relationships with people from all backgrounds. Competency in Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint is essential.
If that sounds like you, we know you’ll enjoy being part of our team.
Locations
Our vacancies are subject to changes as we recruit on a rolling basis. For those who perform well across all of the tasks at our assessment centre, should your first geographic preference be unavailable, you will be offered a role in one of our specialist teams at one of our Corporate Finance hubs. Our specialist hubs are across the country in Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Gatwick, Glasgow, Leeds, London, Manchester, Milton Keynes, Nottingham, Newcastle, Reading, and Southampton.
Entry requirements
At RSM, we don’t just look for good exam results. We think passion, personality and originality are just as important.
You will need:
- a minimum of 5 GCSEs grade B or above or 5 National 4/5 Qualifications (or equivalent), including Maths and English language;
- 280 UCAS across 3 A Levels or 260 across 4 Highers/Advanced Highers;
- A predicted 2:1 honours degree.
Why RSM?
As one of the world’s largest networks of audit, tax and consulting firms, we’ll help you reach your full potential. You’ll work on an impressive client list – from multinational and growth-focused entrepreneurs to fashion icons and premier league footballers. The variety of projects will challenge you every day, helping you expand your capabilities and grow professionally. And with access to a global team that spans more than 120 countries, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to broaden your horizons. Discover a culture that nurtures individuality and celebrates fresh thinking. Find your future at RSM.