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Corporate Finance Graduate Programme

Help our clients grow, invest, innovate and achieve their strategic objectives, whilst developing technical, business and commercial skills that will complement your career.

    2024 Applications are now closed

     

    Join our student talent community to learn more about our career opportunities, life at EY, exclusive events and when we're opening for 2025 applications later in the year.

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    I’ve worked with clients on both mergers and acquisitions and debt advisory, providing a broad learning experience. I’ve also developed skills and my network through the EY Women’s events and tailored learning sessions.

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    Corporate Finance Graduate

     

    Corporate Finance

    We provide independent mid-market advice to a wide range of public and private sector clients, from central government, and entrepreneurs, to mid-market private equity and privately owned businesses – and lots in between. We help our clients execute smarter transactions. We have regional coverage and sector expertise to help achieve their growth ambitions. 

    Technology in Corporate Finance

    In UK and Ireland (UK&I), we're increasingly making use of analytics and data visualisation tools to deliver greater value to our clients.

    In Financial Services (FS), within banking and capital markets, our clients are actively integrating technology, such as Open Banking, to improve business decisions. Our team keep ahead of new innovation to offer strategic advice on improvements.

    What will you be doing?

    • Working in UK&I or FS, developing specialist expertise including a combination of technical and commercial skills across the disciplines of Debt Advisory, Government and Transport, and Mergers & Acquisition
    • Working with clients at different stages of maturity and growth across the full capital spectrum
    • Working in project teams across the full transaction life-cycle, from pitching for new business, right through to execution 
    • Taking ownership of key deliverables including business and industry research, analysis, business valuation and financial modelling and transaction documents
    • Creating industry and sector thought leadership and research
    • Communicating with colleagues, clients and other advisors across our global network

    • Are you eligible to apply?

      We operate an open access policy, meaning we don’t screen out applications on your academic performance alone. You will, however, need to be working towards an honours degree in any subject, have a minimum of grade 4/C GCSE (or equivalent) in English Language and Maths, and three A-levels/Five Highers (or equivalent) to be eligible to apply. 

      Eligibility for Visa Sponsorship: This vacancy is able to offer visa sponsorship if you are unable to secure the right to work in the UK yourself.

      We welcome applications from all academic backgrounds and are looking for individuals who will succeed at EY in the desired role and future qualifications, therefore throughout our recruitment process your academic performance will be considered against your online assessment scores to determine your suitability for an EY role. We are also proud to partner with RARE recruitment, so that your application can be processed in the context of your socio-economic background. This allows us to give you the maximum credit for your achievements, assessing whether you have overachieved in light of your personal circumstances.

      Read more about our academic requirements.

    Professional qualifications

    UK & Ireland - Once you've completed the first year of your graduate programme, there will be an opportunity to pursue the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) qualification

    Financial Services - Certificate in Finance, Accounting and Business (CFAB) and, once you've completed graduate programme, there will be an opportunity to pursue the CFA qualification.

    Programme length

    Two years

    Salary

    Competitive 

    How’s it structured?

    Once you join this programme, you will either work in UK&I or FS. Whichever you join, there will be lots of varied opportunities and you'll be part of a supportive, inclusive team who will give you all the help you need to decide how you want to shape your career. 

    First things first, we’ll bring you up-to-speed through a company induction. You will receive specialist Corporate Finance training across the two years of the graduate programme, starting with a three week specific training programme (including key analytical skills such as business valuation and financial modelling) delivered by an external provider that delivers this training to various banks. 

    From an early stage you will get to work on real client projects. Whether it's helping them raise equity capital, raise new debt or helping shareholders to sell their business, or advising Government clients, you will be helping businesses make their most important decisions. We advise businesses both nationally and internationally, meaning you may also get the opportunity to travel.

    Through a combination of formal and on-the-job training. you'll learn professional skills and project management, core skills (including Powerpoint/Excel/Word as well as selected data handling/visualisation tools) and soft skills, as well as financial modelling and analytical techniques.

    As you progress through the programme, you will take on more responsibilities and obtain experience across different teams, broadening your transactions knowledge, sector understanding and professional network.

    By the time you finish the programme, you can expect to be well on your way to being promoted.

    What type of work will I be doing?

    As a graduate on the Corporate Finance programme you may have the opportunity to work across one of our competencies:

    • Capital and Debt Advisory

      As part of the Corporate Finance practice, the Capital and Debt Advisory (CDA) team independently advises public, listed, and private corporates and private equity owned companies on their capital structure options and execution of debt financing in the global bank and debt capital markets. The team includes credit rating and hedging experts, as well as senior experience from leading investment banks in originating and executing debt financings.

      The Capital & Debt Advisory team works across many sectors and credit market segments in the EY member firms and their clients all over the world.

      The team is sector neutral, meaning that the range of clients we engage with is large and includes, but is not limited to, large corporate entities, government bodies and private mid-market companies. The guidance we provide to clients can be transformative to businesses, allowing them to achieve their financial goals.

      You'll have the opportunity to work on a wide range of projects at different stages of their life cycle, covering the following areas:

      • Structuring and modelling the financial implications of transactions
      • Preparation of client reports and key documentation for debt financing exercises, including presentations for lenders, information memorandums, teasers, term sheets and supporting models
      • Research and analysis of key aspects of the debt markets, specific client issues and questions

      Other aspects of the role also include:

      • Working alongside a range of stakeholders, such as legal advisors or other EY teams
      • Using commercial judgment and creativity to provide creative solutions to problems and 'thinking on your feet'
      • Hands-on involvement in business origination work, which involves identifying and researching potential clients
      • Providing support to the leadership group on wider team initiatives, such as Corporate Responsibility activities
      • Tailored formal and informal training initiatives which are designed to develop your knowledge, skill and understanding in the team’s core areas

      The team has ambitious growth plans moving forward, and your work will directly contribute to this, as well as EY’s vision of Building a Better Working World. By providing clients with best-in-class advice on complex commercial transactions, we are able to optimise client value and deliver the most desirable outcomes.

    • Government and Transport

      Working in UK&I, our Government and Transport team help clients identify and implement solutions to key public policy priorities which directly impact on businesses and communities. These include delivering green infrastructure, regenerating and levelling up local economies and transforming national and regional transport.

      We provide strategic, commercial and financial advice to key public sector led initiatives including infrastructure, transport and complex commercial projects. Our clients are predominantly public sector organisations from central government departments, through to local authorities, transport authorities and NHS trusts. We also work with the private sector delivering public-private partnerships.

      You'll have the opportunity to work on a wide range of projects at different stages of their life cycle and in particular covering the following areas:

      • Strategy development
      • Business Case development
      • Commercial and Financial structuring, including financial modelling
      • Advising on transactions, including procurement and commercial negotiations

      You can also expect to:

      • Work on a variety of sectors which may include amongst others: Health; National and Regional Transport; Defence; Green Energy; and Social Infrastructure
      • Work with a wide variety of people in the team, other areas of EY and alongside other advisors working with our clients (e.g. legal advisors)
      • Gain hands on experience with clients from an early stage - you will be actively involved in the preparation and delivery of client meetings and work products
      • Build your own personal network and support the team with business development opportunities, including developing market materials and proposals for new business
      • Be actively involved in supporting our leadership team on wider team initiatives
      • Benefit from informal and formal training, including bespoke training courses which will enable you to develop your knowledge in our teams core areas set out above

      Your work and contributions to our team will help our team grow and deliver on EY's vision of Building a Better Working World by advising our clients on complex commercial transactions at the nexus of public and private sector both here in the UK and abroad to optimise client value and deliver better outcomes.

    • Mergers and Acquisitions

      The Corporate Finance Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) practice is an innovative, award-winning team, regularly working on high profile, cross-border, sell-side, buy-side and finance raising transactions, supporting a range of clients from high-growth businesses to multi-national listed companies.

      Our projects are fast-paced, exciting and time-sensitive, providing you with every opportunity to learn what it takes to acquire and sell businesses.  You will be involved in all aspects of a project at different stages of their lifecycle including:

      • Support in the development and maintenance of client relationships, including pitch/proposal preparation, presentation to clients
      • Support in the preparation of transaction marketing materials and other client deliverables
      • Valuation analysis and calculation
      • Undertaking sensitivity/scenario analysis and analysis of financial data
      • Commercial and financial advice on key contracts forming part of the transaction, and negotiation with project stakeholders
      • Project management and management of key stakeholders on projects

      You can also expect to:

      • Build your commercial acumen by working with clients from a variety of different sectors that can include Energy, Technology Media & Telecommunications, Healthcare & Life Sciences, Real Estate and Consumer Products & Retail
      • Work alongside our EY colleagues across the globe in different segments of the business to bring the best of EY to our clients
      • Enhance your network with the private equity community with regular interactions
      • Gain a high level of experience in dealing with clients from an early stage whilst being actively involved in all aspects of a transaction from the initial pitch stage, through to client take-on and being a key member of the deal team to deliver a successful transaction for our clients
      • Assist the M&A leadership team on wider team initiatives
      • Develop your skills through informal and formal training, including bespoke training courses

      Your work is essential to helping our team realise our goals to deliver market-leading results for our clients.  You will be involved in dealing with complex transactions which will help you develop, grow and build your skills so you can make a meaningful impact and help us deliver on these goals.

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    Rewards and benefits

    You want a career that counts. An experience that challenges you. That rewards performance and ultimately defines your future. That's what's on offer at EY. After all, our success is founded on yours.

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    Adjustments

    All candidates should be given the opportunity to be their best selves throughout the process. We have adjustments in place to make all individual applications accessible.

    Find out more

    FAQs

    Do you have questions about applying to and working at EY? From choosing a programme to visa requirements, technical help to joining, you're likely to find the answers here.

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    2024 Applications are now closed

     

    Join our student talent community to learn more about our career opportunities, life at EY, exclusive events and when we're opening for 2025 applications later in the year.

    Join our community

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