Senior Transaction Accounting Lead — M&A & Post‑Close

Elliott Davis; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous time off

Flexible schedules

Parental leave

Health and wellness benefits

Professional coaching

Leadership programs

Beyond program

Job summary

Elliott Davis is a leading provider of transaction, accounting, and finance advisory services to private equity firms, portfolio companies, and founder-led businesses throughout the lower middle market and middle market. Our professionals partner with investors and management teams to navigate complex transactions and build scalable finance functions that support long-term value creation.

In this role, you will lead transaction-related accounting engagements throughout the post-close lifecycle,

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in public accounting, transaction advisory services, accounting advisory, audit, or corporate accounting.
• Significant experience with M&A transactions, purchase accounting, net working capital analyses, and financial statement preparation.
• Experience reviewing purchase agreements and interpreting transaction-specific accounting provisions.
• Strong knowledge of U.S. GAAP, including business combinations (ASC 805).
• Experience working with private equity-backed companies preferred.
• Prior project management and staff supervision experience required.
• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or related field.
• CPA required.
• Strong financial statement analysis and accounting research capabilities.
• Advanced Excel skills, including large-data-set analysis and financial modeling.

Responsibilities

• Provide timely, high-quality client service that meets or exceeds client expectations.
• Lead multiple transaction accounting engagements simultaneously, including opening balance sheets, NWC true-ups, purchase price adjustments, and final closing statements.
• Manage all phases of post-close accounting workstreams from planning through delivery.
• Review purchase agreements and related transaction documents to identify accounting considerations, NWC definitions, and adjustment mechanisms.
• Perform and supervise detailed analyses of working capital, debt, cash, transaction expenses, accruals, reserves, and other purchase price adjustment components.
• Oversee preparation and review of opening balance sheets in accordance with ASC 805 and related purchase accounting guidance.
• Evaluate historical accounting practices and recommend adjustments required to comply with GAAP and transaction documentation.
• Coordinate with client management, private equity sponsors, auditors, tax advisors, legal counsel, and other third-party professionals throughout the engagement.
• Manage engagement economics, project budgets, staffing, and delivery timelines.
• Develop and mentor associates and interns through coaching, technical review, and on-the-job training.
• Identify opportunities to expand client relationships and support business development initiatives across the firm’s service lines.
• Assist in the development of transaction accounting methodologies, templates, and technology-enabled solutions to improve quality and efficiency.
• Prepare and present analyses and conclusions to executives, investors, and other stakeholders.
• Lead discussions with clients and transaction counterparties to negotiate and resolve accounting-related purchase price adjustment matters.

Skills

M&A experience

GAAP knowledge

Financial modeling

Project management

Communication with stakeholders

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting or related field

CPA designation

Tools

Excel

ERP systems

Financial reporting platforms

Job description

Elliott Davis is a leading provider of transaction, accounting, and finance advisory services to private equity firms, portfolio companies, and founder-led businesses throughout the lower middle market and middle market. Our professionals partner with investors and management teams to navigate complex transactions and build scalable finance functions that support long-term value creation.

In this role, you will lead transaction-related accounting engagements throughout the post-close lifecycle,