M&A Associate

Digs Dog Care; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

401(k) with company match

DigIn Shared Ownership Program

DayPlay discounts

Job summary

Digs Dog Care is seeking an M&A Associate to support acquisition strategy through rigorous financial modeling, data accuracy, and coordination across M&A, Finance, and Operations teams. You will translate deal insights into integration plans and work on QoE analyses and deal materials.

Responsibilities include analyzing seller data, building valuation models, and preparing investment materials for leadership. This role offers growth in a pet-services-focused, equity-friendly environment.

Qualifications

• CPA / accounting degree required.
• 1–3 years of professional experience in M&A transaction services, private equity, investment banking or financial consulting.
• Strong understanding of financial statements and GAAP accounting principles.

Responsibilities

• Spread and analyze financial information from sellers (P&L, payroll, balance sheets, tax returns).
• Build and maintain valuation models and pro forma financials.
• Prepare trending analyses and identify revenue, cost, and margin drivers.
• Review EBITDA adjustments and supporting documentation.

Skills

M&A

Financial analysis

GAAP

Education

CPA / Accounting degree

Tools

Excel

Job description

The M&A Associate plays a critical role in supporting Digs’ acquisition strategy by providing analytical rigor, financial modeling, and cross-functional coordination throughout the transaction lifecycle. This teammate partners closely with the M&A, Finance, and Operations teams to assess opportunities, ensure data accuracy, and help translate deal insights into integration readiness.

Responsibilities

Financial Analysis and Valuation

• Spread and analyze financial information provided by potential sellers, including P&L statements, payroll data, balance sheets, and tax returns.
• Assess the completeness of information provided; collaborate with the Business Development (BD) team to obtain missing data.
• Build and maintain valuation models and pro forma financials to assess potential acquisitions.
• Prepare trending analyses and identify key revenue, cost, and margin drivers.
• Review management adjustments to EBITDA and evaluate supporting documentation.
• Benchmark target company performance against Digs’ portfolio and relevant industry metrics.
• Partner with the M&A Manager and broader deal team to manage due diligence request lists and data flow between internal and external stakeholders.
• Synthesize diligence findings and summarize insights for Finance, Operations, HR, and Legal stakeholders.
• Ensure accurate, organized documentation throughout the diligence process.

Quality of Earnings (QoE) Roll Forward

• Update Quality of Earnings analyses for the interim period between initial diligence and closing.
• Validate reported financials, adjustments, and related trends to ensure alignment with valuation assumptions.
• Flag variances and work with leadership to assess potential deal impacts.

Investment Committee Material Preparation

• Draft investment and leadership materials (e.g., “GP Bringdown” decks) summarizing financial updates, QoE roll forward results, insurance reviews, and underwriting assumptions.
• Support the preparation of deal summaries and post-close performance expectations.
• Conduct specialized analyses on labor structures, fixed vs. variable costs, rent and occupancy expenses, and other cost drivers.
• Compare results to portfolio benchmarks and market dynamics to inform underwriting assumptions and integration planning.
• Provide insight into potential value-creation levers and operational risks.

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of financial statements and GAAP accounting principles.
• Exceptional attention to detail, organization, and ability to manage multiple priorities under tight timelines.
• Strong interpersonal skills; able to build trust with internal stakeholders and external partners.
• Passion for analytical problem-solving and interest in the pet-services or consumer services industry a plus.
• CPA / Accounting degree, 1-3 years of professional experience in M&A transaction services, private equity, investment banking or financial consulting.
• Ability to work under pressure and comfort dealing with ambiguity, incomplete information, and shifting priorities

What We Offer

At Digs, we take care of our pack. Dental and vision benefits kick in shortly after your start date, and at 90 days you\'re eligible for a 401(k) with up to 4% company match. At 6 months, medical benefits become available to full-time teammates, and after one year you can join our DigIn Shared Ownership Program — because we believe the people who build Digs should share in its success. Many locations also offer teammates discounted DayPlay as a little extra perk.

Digs Dog Care is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. We are committed to diversity and inclusion and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.

About Digs Dog Care

At Digs Dog Care, we’re more than a collection of Pet Resorts—we’re a pack with one vision: to build the most trusted dog care community. Here, teammates grow as leaders, pet parents experience legendary hospitality, and every dog thrives in a safe, spotless resort. As pets become family for more and more people, the demand for world-class care is only growing—and so is the need for passionate, skilled teammates. That’s where you come in.

Our mission is simple: elevate the standard of care for pets by expanding a network of exceptional resorts, empowering our teams with the training and tools to succeed, and earning the trust of pet parents for life. When you join Digs, you’re not just starting a job—you’re joining a community. We learn together, grow together, and celebrate every wag along the way.

The pay range for this role is:

90,000 - 110,000 USD per year (Chicago HQ)