SPA Manager/AD

Grant Thornton UK LLP; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial advisory firm in Manchester seeks a Manager (SPA Manager/AD) to support growth in Deals Advisory and Consulting. This role involves managing client relationships, producing financial analyses, and advising on mergers and acquisitions. The ideal candidate will hold a professional qualification and have experience in the financial aspects of sale and purchase agreements. Hybrid working options are available, promoting flexibility and self-development.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Hybrid working model

Personal Development Plans

Qualifications

• Professional qualification with post-qualification experience.
• Experience in mergers and acquisitions preparation and review.
• Strong knowledge of financial aspects of sales agreements.

Responsibilities

• Act as a primary contact in the absence of senior staff.
• Draft letters of engagement and monitor assignment costs.
• Produce high-quality financial analyses with minimal input.

Skills

Mergers and acquisitions advisory

Financial analysis

Client relationship management

Risk management

Commercial judgment

Education

Professional qualification (ACA, ICAS, CA, ACCA or CIPFA)

Job description

Grant Thornton’s Sale and Purchase Agreement Advisory team is hiring a Manager (SPA Manager/AD) to support our rapid growth within the Deals Advisory and Consulting service line. You will focus on transactions involving mergers and acquisitions, completion mechanisms, enterprise value to equity value bridges, and the financial aspects of sale and purchase agreements.

Responsibilities

• Take a second‑level client relationship position behind an associate director/director/partner and act as the primary contact in their absence.
• Understand the perspectives of different clients on the same engagement and build trust and respect by responding to client demands and keeping them informed of progress.
• Identify and resolve risk management issues, applying knowledge to manage site issues and involving senior staff and specialists to mitigate risk.
• Accurately draft letters of engagement and ensure take‑on work is completed before associate director/director review and submission.
• Demonstrate understanding of technical issues, offer potential solutions and seek advice when needed.
• Produce high‑quality financial analysis with minimal input from associate directors.
• Draft fee estimates and budgets for review by the director/partner.
• Participate in presenting conclusions and recommendations to clients, discussing implications and action points.
• Monitor and manage assignment costs versus budgets, including challenging team member time charged to other departments.
• Demonstrate understanding of the firm’s products, services and capabilities and actively cross‑sell.
• Show a clear appetite for self‑development through performance reviews and Personal Development Plan (PDP) processes.

Qualifications

• Professional qualification (ACA, ICAS, CA, ACCA or CIPFA) with post‑qualification experience.
• Experience advising on mergers and acquisitions and in preparing, reviewing or disputing completion accounts and earn‑out accounts.
• Strong knowledge of enterprise value to equity value bridges and the financial & accounting aspects of sale and purchase agreements.
• Confidence managing a large portfolio of audit clients and a demonstrated ability to work independently with minimal partner involvement.
• Excellent commercial judgment and the ability to interface with client management and other professionals.
• Willingness to learn and develop through coaching, feedback and formal development plans.

Grant Thornton embraces diversity and offers flexible and hybrid working options including reduced days, annualised days or term time working. For internal employees interested, please contact the recruiter or the SPA team directly for an informal conversation.