Sr. Associate or Associate (ESOP)

Marshall & Stevens Inc; Santa Ana (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Marshall & Stevens Inc., a leading independent valuation firm, is seeking an Associate or Senior Associate in ESOP Valuation & Advisory in Santa Ana, CA. You will analyze privately held interests in ESOP transactions, build and interpret financial models, and support client presentations.

The role grows toward project management, client leadership, and business judgment as you gain experience; a Bachelor's in Finance, Business, Accounting, or Economics is required, with 1–4 years in valuation or

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, Accounting, or Economics.
• 1–4 years of valuation/corporate finance experience preferred.
• Strong Excel-based modeling and basic ESOP knowledge.
• Excellent written and verbal communication for client-facing work.

Responsibilities

• Construct and refine financial models for ESOP transactions, valuation of ESOP companies, feasibility analyses and related advisory assignments using income, market and asset-based approaches to value.
• Collect and analyze company financial statements, tax returns, and other relevant information to understand operating models, business performance, financial characteristics and key valuation drivers.
• Conduct industry and economic research to connect company performance with market trends in support of valuation assumptions and conclusions.
• Participate in client meetings together with ESOP trustees, legal counsel and other advisors, taking increasing responsibility based on experience and demonstrated ability.
• Prepare detailed and thoughtful written reports summarizing the subject company’s operations, the framework of the valuation analysis, and the basis for final conclusions.
• Help manage engagement workflow, information requests, deadlines, and quality control processes while keeping senior team members appraised on significant issues.
• Apply sound judgment, ask the right questions and connect the analysis to the broader objectives.
• Contribute to practice initiatives, market research, recruiting, training and process improvement.

Skills

Excel-based modeling

Financial analysis

ESOP concepts

Client communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance/Business/Accounting/Economics

Tools

Excel

Job description

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Sr. Associate or Associate (ESOP)

Full Time Junior Santa Ana, CA, US

6 days ago Requisition ID: 1118

Salary Range: $85,000.00 To $105,000.00 Annually

Associate Or Senior Associate, ESOP Valuation & Advisory

Marshall & Stevens is a leading independent and national valuation firm, with over 200 professionals serving clients throughout twelve offices in nine states. Since our founding in 1932, we have grown to provide a broad service offering encompassing the valuation of private companies, intangible assets, real estate, machinery & equipment, as well as litigation support, marital dissolution, fairness & solvency opinions, and other transaction advisory services.

Within the broader M&S Valuation Practice, our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) Advisory Group provides valuation and transaction advisory services to ESOP trustees, business owners, senior executives and other fiduciaries. Our work sits at the intersection of business valuation, corporate finance, exit planning, capital sourcing and transaction execution. As part of our growing team, you will work closely with senior professionals across each of these dimensions, with direct exposure to client management teams and adjacent advisory professionals.

What This Role Will Do

As an Associate or Senior Associate in the ESOP Valuation & Advisory Practice, you will work as an integral part of project teams analyzing the privately held business interests being transferred in ESOP transactions, and/or owned by ESOP shareholders. You will build and interpret financial models, analyze historical and projected performance, research companies and industries, participate in client due diligence meetings, prepare valuation work product, and assist with client presentations.

The role is designed to develop from strong technical execution into increasing ownership of project management, client communication, and business judgment as your experience grows. Our work has a clear line of sight to real financial outcomes for employees, executives and shareholders, and your analysis will support decisions with tangible financial consequences for real people.

Key Responsibilities

• Construct and refine financial models for ESOP transactions, valuation of ESOP companies, feasibility analyses and related advisory assignments using income, market and asset-based approaches to value.
• Collect and analyze company financial statements, tax returns, and other relevant information to understand operating models, business performance, financial characteristics and key valuation drivers.
• Conduct industry and economic research to connect company performance with market trends in support of valuation assumptions and conclusions.
• Participate in client meetings together with ESOP trustees, legal counsel and other advisors, taking increasing responsibility based on experience and demonstrated ability.
• Prepare detailed and thoughtful written reports summarizing the subject company’s operations, the framework of the valuation analysis, and the basis for final conclusions.
• Help manage engagement workflow, information requests, deadlines, and quality control processes while keeping senior team members appraised on significant issues.
• Apply sound judgment, ask the right questions and connect the analysis to the broader objectives.
• Contribute to practice initiatives, market research, recruiting, training and process improvement.

What Makes You Successful in This Role

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Business, Accounting, or Economics.
• Experience: 1-4 years of experience in business valuation, corporate finance, or ESOP advisory is a plus but not required. We welcome candidates with overlapping skills from experience in other fields (e.g. FP&A, commercial banking, asset management, or other analytically rigorous financial roles).
• Technical Skills & Knowledge:
  • Strong proficiency in Excel-based financial modeling and valuation techniques.
  • Familiarity with fundamental analysis of company financials.
  • Awareness of business valuation and/or basic ESOP concepts is a plus.
• Areas of Interest: financial markets, complex capital structures, privately held businesses, transaction structures, employee ownership.
• Communication: Strong analytical and written communication skills for client-facing reports.
• Work Ethic: Detail-oriented, comfortable working both independently and in small teams, strong desire to take initiative, and intellectually curious.

Why You'll Love It Here

This is an opportunity to build a broad corporate-finance skill set while working on assignments that directly affect business ownership, succession, and long-term capital planning. You will receive meaningful exposure to senior leadership, complex privately held companies, and a national network of ESOP trustees and advisors.

Our career path is built around progression from technical learning and depth to project management, client leadership, and, over time, broader practice and revenue responsibility. We are looking for people who want to grow with that opportunity.