Finance Associate

CSP Group; Clayton (MO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

The CSP Group, a St. Louis-area private investment firm, seeks a motivated Finance Associate to support M&A and finance operations for portfolio companies.

You will model acquisitions, analyze performance, and coordinate due diligence with lenders and providers, while partnering with CFO and VP Finance. Responsibilities span investment analyses, financial modeling, and portfolio company finance enhancements, with emphasis on profitability, efficiency, and data-driven decisions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business Analytics, Finance, or related field is required.
• Approximately five years of post-graduation professional experience.
• Strong Excel and data analysis/business intelligence skills.
• M&A or underwriting experience, preferably with due diligence.
• Public accounting experience is a plus.
• General accounting and financial analysis skills.
• Cost accounting experience is a plus.
• Experience with manufacturing or distribution businesses is a plus.
• Ability to organize complex information and communicate concisely.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines.
• Ability to prepare analyses and communications ready for execution and review.
• A minor or second major in Business Analytics, Systems, Applied Mathematics, or related discipline is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Own acquisition and divestiture analyses, including return, forecast, lender models, and due diligence materials.
• Build integrated income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow models for target companies.
• Coordinate due diligence with third-party providers and lenders.
• Prepare financial analyses and materials for investment committee review.
• Participate in investment committee discussions and presentations.
• Analyze monthly reporting packages and forecasts; explain business implications.
• Coordinate with portfolio company Controllers and FP&A on data requests.
• Identify working capital and margin improvement opportunities.
• Enhance BI usage across portfolio companies (Workday Adaptive Planning, Power BI).
• Improve forecasting processes including 13-week cash flow.
• Build data models connecting ERP/CRM and other data sources.
• Support integration of systems for new platforms and add-ons.
• Assist with special projects such as bridge and sales analyses.

Skills

Excel

Data analysis

M&A experience

Public accounting experience

Cost accounting

Manufacturing or distribution exposure

Organizing complex information

Deadline management

Communication of analyses

Business Analytics minor/second major

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting / Finance / Business Analytics

Tools

Workday Adaptive Planning

Microsoft Fabric

Power BI

Job description

A St. Louis-based, operationally focused private investment firm with a long track record of successfully acquiring, operating, and building companies for long-term investment is seeking a motivated and professional Finance Associate.

The firm takes a hands‑on approach to investing, working collaboratively with portfolio company leadership to drive growth, operational improvements, and long-term value creation. Its investment portfolio spans a diverse range of industries, providing employees with exposure to a variety of businesses and operating environments.

The organization operates through a collaborative team approach involving professionals across Operations, Acquisitions, and Finance. Its culture emphasizes motivated, intellectually curious, hard‑working professionals who work together through disciplined processes to achieve strong results.

The Finance Associate will report directly to the Chief Financial Officer and work closely with Vice Presidents of Finance and Finance Managers.

Responsibilities

Finance & M&A Support

• Own assigned acquisition and divestiture analyses, including return models, forecast models, lender models, sales/customer/product analyses, cost analyses, and due diligence data‑room materials.

• Build integrated income statement, balance sheet, and cash flow models for target companies.

• Coordinate due diligence requests and work with third‑party diligence providers (quality of earnings firms, tax, risk) on scope and integration of findings.

• Assist with and coordinate lender due diligence.

• Prepare financial analyses, due diligence conclusions, key risks, and decision‑making materials for investment committee review.

• Participate in investment committee discussions and presentations.

These responsibilities apply to both portfolio platforms and add‑on acquisitions. Success in this role requires more than simply preparing analyses; it requires evaluating information, developing insights, and translating data into actionable recommendations.

Finance Operations Support

• Analyze monthly reporting packages, bridge analyses, performance reviews, annual plans, forecasts, and capital expenditure projects, explaining the business implications behind the results.

• Coordinate directly with portfolio company Controllers and FP&A teams on data requests and clarifications.

• Identify working capital and margin improvement opportunities.

• Enhance portfolio companies’ use of business intelligence and analytics platforms, including Workday Adaptive Planning, Microsoft Fabric, and Power BI.

• Review and improve portfolio companies’ forecasting processes, including 13‑week cash flow forecasting.

• Enhance and build data models that connect ERP, CRM, and other operational data sources.

• Evaluate and improve finance and accounting processes across portfolio companies.

• Assist with the integration of systems and processes for new platforms and add‑on acquisitions.

• Support other special and ad hoc projects, such as preparation of bridge and sales analyses.

The key to success in these responsibilities is identifying opportunities to improve profitability, operational efficiency, and financial visibility across portfolio companies.

A collaborative team approach is fundamental to the organization’s success. The Finance Associate’s ability to work effectively and collaboratively in this environment will be critical.

Opportunity

This position offers the opportunity to work alongside an experienced investment and finance team in acquiring, developing, and growing businesses while building operational excellence and long‑term value.

The composition of the investment portfolio is continually evolving, providing ongoing opportunities to learn about different industries and businesses. This position offers significant exposure to the private investment world, including both transaction‑related work and hands‑on financial and operational support of portfolio companies.

Requirements

Education / Certifications

• Bachelor’s degree from a credible institution in Accounting, Business Analytics, Finance, or a related field is required.

Professional Qualifications

• Approximately five years of post‑graduation professional experience.

• Strong Excel and data analysis/business intelligence skills.

• M&A or underwriting experience, preferably involving due diligence, is a plus.

• Public accounting experience is a plus.

• General accounting and financial analysis skills.

• Cost accounting experience is a plus.

• Experience working with manufacturing or distribution businesses is a plus.

• Ability to organize complex information and communicate it concisely.

• Ability to manage multiple concurrent deadlines.

• Ability to prepare analyses and communications that are ready for execution and review.

• A minor or second major in Business Analytics, Systems, Applied Mathematics, or a related discipline is a plus.
  

Personal Characteristics

• Self‑starter.

• Team player with strong interpersonal skills.

• Driven with a strong work ethic.

  15-20% travel required