A top 50 accounting firm pursuing a roll-up strategy needs hands-on modeling support for active acquisition targets.
The acquirer has a defined playbook: ingest trial balance data from each target, normalize it, and build it into a standardized M&A model that reflects a "scrape" structure, where target partners receive an upfront payment in exchange for the acquirer taking a defined percentage of what would have been their go-forward partner profits. You will own the model build for each target, stress-test assumptions, and translate output into board-ready materials.
What you will do
• Take target financial data (trial balance, WIP, AR aging, partner comp schedules) and build it into the firm's standardized acquisition model
• Structure scrape mechanics: upfront consideration, profit participation percentages, waterfall, and partner earnout over the hold
• Normalize target P&Ls for owner comp, related-party items, and accounting policy differences
• Build and maintain sources and uses, purchase price allocation, pro forma P&L/BS/CF, and returns analysis (IRR, MOIC, cash-on-cash)
• Produce board decks and IC memos summarizing deal economics, key risks, and sensitivities
• Interface with target CFOs and controllers for diligence Q&A as needed
What you need for the job
• Fluency reading and normalizing a trial balance. You spot owner comp in opex, catch related-party items, and handle cash to accrual conversions without supervision
• Strong Excel modeling, specifically three-statement models, returns analysis, and earnout structures with non-linear triggers
• Understanding of services firm economics, including partner comp, realization, utilization, WIP
• Ability to produce a board-ready IC deck from your own model output
Background that typically produces this skill set
• 5+ years combined across public accounting, transaction advisory, or operating finance at a services business
• Big 4 FDD, middle-market TAS, or controller at a PE-backed services platform
• CPA credential is a MUST
Nice to have
• Prior independent or fractional consulting experience