As one of the world’s largest networks of audit, tax and consulting firms, RSM delivers big ideas and premium service to help middle-market businesses thrive. We are a fast-growing firm with big ambitions – we have a clear goal to become the premium adviser to the middle market, globally. This vision touches everything we do, motivating and inspiring us to become better every day. If you are looking for a firm where you can build a future and make an impact, then RSM is the place for you.
Mergers and Acquisitions – Get the career you want at RSM
Our Mergers and Acquisitions school leaver 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 fast-tracked business career that recognises your potential, rewards your ambition, and trains you in a widely recognised professional qualification (AAT).
When you join our team, you’ll enjoy a combination of on-the-job learning, structured training, and an impressive client list to work with. You’ll discover a culture that nurtures individuality and an environment where everyone is encouraged to reach their potential. With us, you’ll always be moving forward.
What does our Mergers and Acquisitions team do?
Our M&A team sits within the Corporate Finance department at RSM, which is one of the most active corporate finance advisers in the UK, advising on more than 1,000 deals in the past five years.
We advise private shareholders and management teams that are looking to sell their businesses, make acquisitions, raise money for growth or carry out a management buy-out. We advise our clients throughout the entire transaction to ensure they maximise value and achieve the best possible deal. This includes pitching to new clients, helping them prepare the business for a transaction, researching their options, and negotiating the terms of the deal.
At RSM, we work with clients across a range of sectors, including technology, manufacturing, and business services, amongst others. No two days are the same in M&A, and you are likely to be involved in preparing pitches, producing sector research, and analysing a company’s financial performance early on. During your time at RSM you will have the opportunity to hit the ground running and make meaningful contributions on the projects you work on from day one.
What can you expect?
RSM’s M&A school leaver programme offers fantastic career development, invaluable hands-on experience, and a supportive environment in which to learn and thrive. You will be working on live projects and given responsibility from day one, for example, being involved in key discussions and meetings with senior members and external clients to the firm. 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, as well as working with experts from other fields, such as law and banking.
As well as working towards your AAT qualification, you will benefit from on-the-job technical training and gain access to our internal training courses that will help you develop in the role, interact with your peers and learn directly from service line experts within your department.
In M&A you will typically work in small teams of 3-5 team members on each project, and can expect to participate in additional social events with your project teams.
Once qualified, you will have the option to continue your development through either the ACA or CFQ, both widely recognised professional qualifications that provide a fantastic foundation to your career.
What we look for
At RSM, we don't just look for good exam results. We think passion, personality and originality are just as important. We’re on the lookout for school leavers with a ‘can do’ attitude, who are prepared to work hard and take on high levels of responsibility. In M&A you will work closely with external stakeholders and other advisers, so we also look for team players who enjoy interacting with others and are curious about how businesses work. Time management and organisational skills are key: you may be working on multiple projects at the same time, while studying towards a professional qualification. You should be confident with numbers but also have excellent written communication skills and a keen attention to detail.
If that sounds like you, we know you’ll enjoy being part of our team.
Flexible working
At RSM we work hard to create an environment where our people can make a difference - to themselves, their career, their teams, and to the success of our firm and clients. We support all our people to work flexibly, to manage their family and other responsibilities alongside their work commitments; we believe this is key to achieving an inspiring and fulfilling working environment.
Our Recruitment Process
Please note, for those who perform well throughout our assessment process, should your first preference be unavailable, you could potentially be offered a role in another location or department. This would always be discussed with you in this instance.
RSM will only take one application into consideration per recruitment cycle. We do not accept multiple applications to different vacancies.
Entry requirements
Candidates will need:
112 UCAS (new tariff*) across 3 A Levels or an equivalent level 3 qualification or 104 UCAS (new tariff*) across 4 Scottish Highers/Advanced Highers.
Please note, RSM does not accept General Studies, AS levels or the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).
*UCAS changed their points system so under the old tariff it would be 280 or 260 points respectively
Diversity and Inclusion at RSM
At RSM, we want to create a strong sense of belonging so that people of all identities, backgrounds, and cultures feel they can bring their true self to work. Our clients come from all walks of life. We aim to achieve that same diversity of background, experience and perspective in our own teams, so that we can genuinely understand our client’s needs. Diverse teams bring a broader range of ideas and insights to work. That’s why we’re working together to ensure our firm’s principles and processes support a firm culture that embraces difference and strengthens inclusion.
At RSM we work hard to create an environment where our people can make a difference - to themselves, their career, their teams, and to the success of our firm and clients. We support all our people to work flexibly, to manage their family and other responsibilities alongside their work commitments; we believe this is key to achieving an inspiring and fulfilling working environment.