Corporate Finance Business Analyst Role Description
The Corporate Finance BA role is similar to the Generalist BA role and identical
in job description, evaluation and required skill set. The biggest difference
is in the mix of projects, in that CF BAs spend roughly half of their time working
on finance-related projects such as mergers and acquisition transactions and the
other half of their time is spent working on generalist topics. The position
is designed for individuals interested in management consulting who have a desire
to focus on corporate finance topics.
About the Corporate Finance Practice
McKinsey's Corporate Finance practice aspires to be an architect of long-term value
for our clients by helping them create value through corporate strategy and transactions.
We believe that strategy and M&A must be based on a thorough understanding of
valuation and the capital markets. From our vast experience in a range of industries
and geographies, we combine industry insight with corporate finance techniques to
provide distinctive advice. The majority of our work in the Corporate Finance Practice
is in three broad areas:
• Corporate and portfolio strategy: We work with clients to
develop strategies based on perspectives of historical performance, the competitive
landscape, business unit opportunities, and financing capabilities. Such perspectives
serve as a foundation for reviewing the business portfolio to determine changes
that will enhance value and, if so, what types of transactions, investments, or
organic moves would be optimal.
• Mergers, acquisitions, and alliances: We work with corporate
and private investment clients identify and assess merger, acquisition, joint venture,
and alliance opportunities that will enhance shareholder value. This involves identifying
strategic fit, assessing base business valuation, quantifying synergies and risks,
as well as analyzing organizational and cultural fit. We provide our clients with
an independent and objective perspective on the attractiveness of potential transactions,
and assist them with successful transaction execution and integration.
• Finance transformation: We aim to be trusted counselors
to CFOs and help them on their key issues, including developing an investor relations
strategy, optimizing the Finance function, and linking the finance function with
corporate strategy.
Our practice comprises over 350 consultants worldwide. CF consultants operate in
teams with individuals across other areas within McKinsey, both industry sectors
and functional practices. Such team structures allow us to apply the range of skills
and experience necessary to meet our clients’ needs. For more information
on Corporate Finance please visit our web site.
Location
The Corporate Finance BA position is offered in New York City, Hong Kong, Shanghai,
Beijing, Singapore and some European locations. For more information, please contact
the office(s) most interesting to you. Corporate Finance BAs are considered an integral
part of the office BA class.
Candidate Qualifications
Ideal candidates for the CFBA position:
• Are about to complete, or have just completed, an undergraduate or masters
degree.
• Have a clear interest in a broad range of business, strategy and finance
topics.
• Have demonstrated an understanding of the basic principles of corporate finance.
• Have a strong commitment to excellence and personal and professional growth.
• Have demonstrated outstanding academic achievement and an aptitude for analytics.
• Have a strong record of leadership in a work setting and/or extracurricular
activities.
• Enjoy working on teams.
• Find problem solving exhilarating.
• Are resourceful, responsible, patient, tenacious, informed, independent,
confident, and full of energy.
Training
As all BAs do, CF BAs attend a one-week learning program upon joining the firm.
This training is designed to equip you with the basic consulting skills you need
on your first engagement team. Following this initial training, you will attend
a two-week Corporate Finance Core Skills Training Program which is designed to solidify
the core principles of valuation and M&A analysis that underpin the work we
do in the practice. After approximately one year of consulting, you will attend
Business Analyst Training, which is a one-week course in advanced problem solving,
interpersonal, and communications skills.
In addition, other programs and learning resources will be available to you, depending
on your personal development needs to build specific skills (such as problem solving
or communications), and to provide additional industry knowledge (e.g., electronics,
consumer goods, health care, financial services) and functional knowledge (e.g.,
marketing, sales, corporate finance, business dynamics, strategy).
In addition to formal training, your professional development continues through
the range of experiences you gain on engagement teams, which may involve working
in other offices or other countries. Every business analyst also has a Development
Group Leader, a senior member of the firm who offers guidance on career choices
and staffing and represents you at performance reviews. Also, you will naturally
build informal mentor relationships with team members and office colleagues from
your client engagements.
Career Path
At the end of the two-year program, we encourage our BAs to further their education
or explore other career opportunities within and outside of McKinsey. Some former
analysts attend top business, law, medical, and other graduate schools. Others begin
careers in private equity and venture capital firms, at start-up companies, in education,
public service, and at nonprofit institutions. A select few business analysts spend
a third year with McKinsey, in many cases in a different geographic location.