Associate Director - Private Equity Advisory (Transactions)

By joining our rapidly growing Private Equity practice you will serve as a trusted partner to our Private Equity clients and their portfolio companies. You will bring your first-hand experience, unique perspectives, and functional knowledge to deliver tailored integrated solutions that solve today's challenges and set the foundation for future success. With support from experienced leaders and a dedicated coach, you will join a collaborative community that invites you to contribute beyond the scope of client delivery.  

In today’s competitive deal market, Private Equity sponsors are increasingly focused on value creation, better acquisition integration and thorough preparation ahead of exit events. CrossCountry’s Private Equity practice is uniquely positioned to guide CFO-s as they build a scalable accounting and finance function, support corporate development teams with inorganic growth strategies and help management navigate complex carve-out or sale processes.

We are experienced operators, who serve as an extension of leading Private Equity sponsors to drive meaningful and sustainable operational changes across their portfolios and realize superior value upon exit.

What You'll Do:

• In this role, you will have the opportunity to work on a variety of projects which typically fall into one of three categories: Strategic Finance Projects, Transaction Projects, and Accounting Projects.  Here are a few examples:

Strategic Finance Projects:

• Lead and oversee the development of KPI dashboards for PE Sponsor and management reporting
• Guide clients or junior team members in developing a robust 13-week cash flow model
• Guide clients or junior team members in preparing budgets and forecasts with detailed assumptions and levers
• Lead and oversee the development of reporting packages to be submitted to banks on a monthly / quarterly basis
• Act as a project manager for key finance initiatives using PMO tools
• Assist executive leadership of portfolio companies in preparing board presentations
• Serve in Senior interim FP&A roles with a focus on process development

Transaction Projects:

• Serve as a trusted advisor to the CFO and the PE deal team with respect to buy-side and sell-side transactions planning and execution.  
• Buy side projects
• Lead bespoke financial due diligence combined with office of the CFO diligence and recommendations for post close improvements.
• Lead or guide management in planning and executing post-closing M&A integration support
• Guide management in conducting post-closing negotiations with Sellers on final closing balance sheet in accordance with the purchase agreement
• Guide junior team members in preparing closing statement for new acquisitions
• Support technical accounting team in preparing opening balance sheets for acquisitions in accordance with US GAAP
• Sell side projects
• Lead strategic exit readiness assessments and work with management/PE team to prepare a roadmap for successful exit
• Guide management in creating financial reporting, models and KPI reporting necessary to withstand the rigors of diligence.
• Guide the overall deal process; liaise with PE sponsor, lawyers, investment bankers and management to ensure deal success and adherence to timelines.
• Lead or support the development of carve out financials for potential divestitures
• Lead carve out execution and TSA support

 

Accounting Projects:

• Advise on complex accounting policy adoption (ASC 606 revenue recognition, ASC 842 leases, ASC 805 business combinations, etc.) at portfolio companies
• Serve in Interim Controller roles with a focus on process development
• Contribute to developing and implementing firm-approved, AI-enabled solutions for clients, in accordance with company policies on data protection, intellectual property, and professional standards
• Stay informed about emerging AI tools and techniques and collaborate with firm leadership to identify compliant opportunities to enhance client solutions and internal processes

What You'll Bring:

• 9+ years of experience working in a client-facing role at a public accounting firm or equivalent consulting firm with project experience in Transaction Advisory Services, Restructuring, M&A strategy, Deals, and/or FP&A, etc. or one of the following:
• 9+ years of experience in a corporate FP&A role managing a team and reporting to internal leadership (CEO, CFO), with exposure to M&A transactions
• 9+ years of experience in a corporate development function managing a team and reporting to internal or external stakeholders
• 9+ years of experience working in portfolio support/operations at a Private Equity firm
• Comfort with AI: Demonstrated ability to responsibly explore and adopt firm-approved AI tools to enhance productivity and innovation.
• Continuous Learning Mindset: Openness to learning and applying emerging technologies including AI and automation in alignment with firm policies and client standards.
• Consistent success in building and developing strong client relationships
• Experience mentoring and developing junior team members and helping project teams resolve multi-faceted issues

 

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting or finance
• CPA or CA certification preferred
• Experience working with Private Equity or within a highly acquisitive company
• Experience mentoring and developing team members
• Willingness to travel up to 40%; travel varies based on client preferences.

 

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