Transaction Advisory Services Senior Associate

Ksm CPA; Chicago, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

KSM, a top 50 independent advisory, tax, and audit firm in the United States, seeks a Senior Associate for the Transaction Advisory Services team in Chicago. You will lead financial due diligence for acquisitions, assess earnings quality, cash flows, and working capital, and interact with management and advisors.

The role requires 2–5 years in audit or transaction advisory, knowledge of US GAAP, and a CPA/CFA or progress toward one. Travel to client sites is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance required.
• 2–5 years' experience in audit, transaction advisory or related finance roles.
• CPA or CFA certification preferred; strong knowledge of US GAAP.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial due diligence for client acquisitions and evaluate potential transactions.
• Advise buyers/sellers on financial risks and opportunities in M&A contexts.
• Analyze target company data to identify trends, earnings quality and working capital factors.
• Lead meetings with management and prepare deal reports/presentations for clients.
• Manage multiple projects and mentor TAS associates and interns.

Skills

Financial due diligence

M&A analysis

Communication

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Job Description: We’re KSM, one of the top 50 largest independent advisory, tax, and audit firms in the United States. But more than our size, it’s our people and culture that set us apart. We believe great things happen when people are supported, challenged, and given the freedom to do their very best work. That’s why we’ve built a workplace where your career and personal life can thrive together – where you have the flexibility to manage your time, the resources to grow, and a team that genuinely cares about your success. We’ve been employee-owned since 2001, giving every team member a stake in our collective success. This ownership mentality fosters a culture of collaboration, curiosity, and excellence – where new ideas are welcomed, different perspectives are valued, and you’re encouraged to explore what excites you most. Whether you’re expanding your skills, tackling new challenges, or making an impact beyond the office, we provide the resources and support to help you grow in the direction that’s right for you. At KSM, your contributions matter – not just to the firm, but to your colleagues, clients, and the communities we serve across the U.S. If you’re looking for a place where you can do meaningful work, build lasting relationships, and grow in ways that align with what’s most important to you, we’d love to meet you.

Position Summary

As a Senior Associate you will have the opportunity to lead in an energetic atmosphere, actively participating in assessing the target’s quality of earnings, cash flows, working capital and key business drivers through analyzing financial details and discussions with management and their advisors.

Responsibilities

• Lead team members in providing financial due diligence for clients acquiring businesses and aid in the evaluation of the potential transaction in the context of the client's investment thesis
• Advise both strategic and private equity buyers/sellers by identifying and analyzing business and financial risks or opportunities throughout the acquisition, disposition, or restructuring of the target company
• Aggregate, manipulate, and analyze the target company's detailed financial and operational data to identify financial and operating trends, quality of earnings & working capital considerations
• Lead meetings and site visits with target company management, interacting with top-level management to obtain pertinent financial analysis information
• Lead the build of deal reports and presentations for clients that highlight key financial and operations findings that may impact or drive the client's investment thesis
• Work on multiple projects of varying size & complexity
• Help supervise, train and develop other TAS associates and interns

Requirements/Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting or Finance
• A minimum of 2-5 years' experience required, preferably within audit, transaction advisory, or other finance-related roles
• CPA or CFA certification or working towards obtaining (preferred)
• Strong current knowledge of U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
• Familiarity with the M&A process & market
• Strong project management skills and highly analytical
• Capable of working in a demanding, deadline-driven environment (either independently or within a team dynamic) while effectively managing unexpected issues and/or questions in a professional manner
• Ability to adapt communication style to successfully convey messaging & objectives to all levels of management, clients, colleagues, etc.
• Travel as needed to various client sites

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, veteran status, or any other protected category.

KSM only accepts resumes directly submitted by a candidate and referrals submitted by current KSM employees. Unsolicited resumes or candidate profiles sent by staffing agencies and fee-based referral services will not be considered outside of a signed KSM vendor contract. KSM will not pay a fee to recruiters or agencies that do not have a signed KSM vendor contract.

About Us

We’re KSM, one of the top 50 largest independent advisory, tax, and audit firms in the U.S. But more than our size, it’s our people and culture that set us apart. We believe great things happen when people are supported, challenged, and given the freedom to do their very best work. That’s why we’ve built a workplace where your career and personal life can thrive together – where you have the flexibility to manage your time, the resources to grow, and a team that genuinely cares about your success. We’ve been employee-owned since 2001, giving every team member a stake in our collective success. This ownership mentality fosters a culture of collaboration, curiosity, and excellence – where new ideas are welcomed, different perspectives are valued, and you’re encouraged to explore what excites you most. Whether you’re expanding your skills, tackling new challenges, or making an impact beyond the office, we provide the resources and support to help you grow in the direction that’s right for you. At KSM, your contributions matter – not just to the firm, but to your colleagues, clients, and the communities we serve across the U.S. If you’re looking for a place where you can do meaningful work, build lasting relationships, and grow in ways that align with what’s most important to you, we’d love to meet you.