We are on the lookout for motivated and committed individuals to join our independent award‑winning M&A advisory firm.
About Cortus Advisory
Cortus Advisory Group helps buy, sell, fund, grow and fix businesses and operates across six UK offices in Leeds, Manchester, Preston, Nottingham, Birmingham and London. Comprising of 55+ professionals, our team brings together professionals at different stages of their careers, creating a supportive and inclusive environment.
The overall vision for Cortus is to create a truly collaborative and inclusive professional services business where everyone can have a varied, enjoyable, and successful career. A vehicle to facilitate positive social change and challenge the norms.
In just under five years, Cortus Advisory Group has become one of the fastest growing independent financial advisory boutiques in the UK. Group revenue has grown from zero to over £5.0m.
Culture and Values
Cortus is founded on simple key values of Integrity, Collaboration and Expertise, and we demonstrate them around our foundations of supporting Colleagues, Clients and Communities.
Our own working philosophy is particularly supportive, and you will have access to our market‑leading training and development programme, RISE, which focuses on technical skills, complex behavioural skills and coaching. As well as being mentored by our experienced team.
We are proud that many of our (repeat) clients put environmental concerns and ESG policies at the heart of their own business agenda. Cortus is forward‑thinking, embracing innovation and technologies such as AI to enhance its services and deliver cutting‑edge solutions for clients.
The opportunity
We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Transaction Services Manager to join our growing Financial Due Diligence (FDD) team. This is a key role with responsibility for leading and managing due diligence engagements, supporting Partners in delivering high‑quality advice, and coaching and developing junior team members.
You will work across buy‑side, sell‑side and refinancing transactions, acting as a trusted day‑to‑day contact for clients, investors and other advisers, while ensuring projects are delivered efficiently, profitably and to the highest technical standard.
Key Responsibilities
Transaction & Project Delivery
- Lead and manage Transaction Services engagements from planning through to completion.
- Take responsibility for engagement set‑up, including client acceptance, risk management procedures, drafting engagement letters, scopes and information request lists.
- Develop a clear understanding of client needs and required deliverables, and articulate these effectively to the project team.
- Monitor project progress, budgets and timelines, escalating issues, delays or cost implications proactively.
- Produce full draft due diligence reports and analysis sections for Partner review on smaller engagements, and fully drafted sections on larger assignments.
- Ensure reports are concise, commercially focused, and clearly highlight key risks, opportunities and value drivers.
- Anticipate next steps for both the engagement and the client, maintaining momentum throughout the transaction.
Financial Due Diligence
- Oversee and review detailed analysis of financial statements, cash flows, working capital and key performance indicators.
- Assess quality of earnings, normalised EBITDA, run‑rate performance and pro‑forma adjustments.
- Challenge assumptions within forecasts and business plans, identifying risks and sensitivities.
- Apply judgement to complex or subjective accounting areas and ensure issues are addressed appropriately.
- Ensure analysis and outputs are robust, well‑structured and suitable for client decision‑making.
Client Management & Commercial Awareness
- Act as a confident day‑to‑day contact for clients and other advisers on assigned engagements.
- Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, investors, lenders and professional advisers.
- Develop confidence presenting findings and recommendations to senior client stakeholders, including Finance Directors, private equity principals and bankers.
- Maintain communication with clients after transactions complete, supporting long‑term relationship building.
- Develop a strong understanding of the wider Cortus Advisory Group and identify opportunities for collaboration and cross‑referrals.
Team Leadership & Development
- Coach, mentor and review the work of Executives and Analysts, providing clear, constructive feedback.
- Inspire confidence within the team through strong technical knowledge, clear direction and professional presence.
- Support the development of junior team members through on‑the‑job training and participation in internal learning initiatives.
- Foster a collaborative, high‑performance team culture aligned to Cortus values.
Personal Effectiveness & Contribution
- Take full accountability for the quality and timeliness of your work and engagement outcomes.
- Make timely, well‑reasoned decisions and balance multiple priorities across concurrent engagements.
- Contribute to non‑client‑facing activities such as training, risk management initiatives and team development.
Required
- ACA, ACCA or equivalent qualification.
- Strong background in Transaction Services, audit or related corporate finance roles.
- Proven experience managing due diligence engagements and client relationships.
- Excellent technical accounting knowledge (UK GAAP and IFRS) and strong financial analysis skills.
- Ability to explain complex financial matters clearly and pragmatically.
- Strong project management, communication and report‑writing skills.
- Advanced Excel capability and confidence working with large datasets.
Preferred (but not essential)
- Prior experience working with private equity or mid‑market entrepreneurial businesses.
- Exposure to a wide range of sectors and transaction types.
- Interest in data analytics, automation or AI‑enabled approaches to due diligence.
Personal Attributes
- Commercial mindset with an interest in deals, business performance, and value drivers.
- Commercially focused with strong deal awareness and client empathy.
- Confident, credible and able to challenge constructively.
- Highly organised with the ability to manage competing demands.
- Collaborative leader who enjoys developing others.
- Comfortable operating in fast‑paced, deal‑driven environments.
- Curious, forward‑thinking and committed to continuous improvement.
We’re looking for someone who embraces the Cortus values:
Integrity - Our honest approach makes us human; we provide advice with understanding. We respect and support our colleagues, promoting diversity and inclusion with everyone having the opportunity to do the work they enjoy.
Collaboration is key - We work closely with our clients in an agile manner to ensure we provide the right team, with the right skills, to deliver the best solution. We care about and actively partner with other organisations; to invest in our local communities.
Expertise makes us best in class - We strive to maximise the potential of our team through focused training programmes. We take ownership of our work and we never compromise on quality.
What You Will Get At Cortus
- Competitive base salary and bonus (benchmarked twice a year to market)
- Annual Leave – Team members receive 25 days of annual leave plus public holidays
- Birthday Leave – Take the day off to celebrate your birthday
- Company sick pay
- Option to purchase annual leave
- One‑to‑one mentoring
- Flexible working options
- Enhanced paternity / maternity / sick leave
- Annual Peer/Mentoring allowance
- Health cash plan
- Pension salary sacrifice scheme – with employer contributions being paid on full salary
- Cycle to work scheme
- Annual Corporate Conference
- Annual CSR day
- Mental health support
- Supported study programmes
- Referral bonus
Equal Opportunities
At Cortus is committed to equal opportunities and welcomes applicants from all backgrounds. We also believe that every candidate should have an equal opportunity to demonstrate their abilities so if you need any adjustments during the hiring process, let us know so we can support you.
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