For a corp dev case study, how does one calculate return on investment (IRR, NPV, Cash on Cash, etc.) if the acquired business is integrated into the parent as opposed to acquired then exited 5 years later like in a typical PE case study. Would you just calculate the present value of revenue growth and cost savings?

I found it burdensome to scroll through all of the pages in the "The Other Road: Corporate Development Associate Fielding Questions" thread to find harvardgrad08's responses to everyone's questions, so I copied and pasted all of his posts (as of 3/28/13) into one Word document. Thought you all might find it useful.

Best,
MBA2CS

Guys, first time poster looking for some advice here.

I’m going back to b-school this year, and I’ve been researching different career paths. F500 corporate strategy has piqued my interest. On the surface, it looks like a lot of F500 companies have one department for CS and corporate (or business) development…I have zero finance/m&a background (math undergrad, 4 years consulting)…my questions are:

1. Do the people in these departments typically focus on one practice (i.e., either CS or CD) or do they do a bit of both or does it vary by company?

2. During b-school, should I focus on filling skills gaps (finance) or enhancing strengths (strategy)?

3. I’m looking for F500 firms with CS employees in New England. Are there any firms that are particularly prestigious?

I'm interested in transitioning into Corporate/Business Development and am looking to reach out to some individuals at a few companies I'm interested in. I want to contact someone not too senior or junior (i.e. VP in Investment Bank), and I was wondering if anyone had a good idea of the hierarchy structure in these departments.

Through researching on Linkedin, I've found the following titles: Director, Manager, VP, Associate, and Analyst. I'm pretty sure Associate and Analyst are towards the bottom just like in IB, but I'm not sure how the other positions line up (something is telling me VP is the most senior).

If anyone has a good idea on this, I would really appreciate a heads up. Thanks.

Hey guys. Currently a 3rd year analyst at a BB and have an upcoming interview for a corporate strategy/development role at another global investment bank. This is a unique role in that it is working with a small team (partly in NYC, partly in Europe) on the company's overall long-term strategy. Job description included meeting with regional executives, and a lot of vague descriptions about "strategy projects."

Ultimate goal is corporate development or strategy. I know an IBD stint is the best starting place, but that's not where I am. Thoughts?

Been doing internal finance (product control+valuations) at a BB for 3.5 yrs - 2.5yrs at a top BB and 1yr at a lower BB for higher pay.

Currently making around 90k (probably with no bonus), but I recently got an offer to do corporate development at a Internet company in Japan (top 10 player). It pays less (around 70k in US dollar terms) but the work seems much more interesting.

You guys think its worth it to make the switch? Dunno if I want to stay in this company for the long term but I think it may be good to gain experience and perhaps go for an MBA after 3-4yrs.

Just turned 25 yrs/old just fyi.

Please let me know your opinions.

Thanks,

Leo

Hey guys,

I'm a junior at a non-target in Florida, not even in the top 100 in fact. I chose to go here before I really knew much about careers in high finance and the like. And realistically, staying in-state was the only way I'd be able to afford it anyway.

After doing research I decided on trying to go for Big 4 audit, which recruits decently at my school, and take it from there as far as exit ops. I was pretty satisfied with the salary I'd eventually make and work I'd be doing after moving over to private, but then I researched a little more and found this site. It made me think that I could do better than just being an accountant. I think business/corporate strategy/development is what I'd really like to do.

I was curious to find out what the best route would be to get into a F100 Corporate Development or Corporate finance group?

I'm under the impression that MBB get a lot of love because, beyond their reputation, they experience a significant amount of modeling during their tenure, which allows them to have the modeling skill-set up there if IBankers. But for all the other consulting firms that may not necessarily be as modeling-heaving, i.e. some tier 2/3 consulting firms and Big 4, what would they need to do to break into to the Corp Dev/Corp Fin groups of the F100? Would they need to get some IB experience or something Finance/Modeling heavy?

Position Summary
This position is for a graduating senior that will work with the Company for a three year assignment, with opportunities upon completion to attend a top tier graduate school of business, or be placed in a top tier private equity firm, hedge fund, or investment bank.
Under general supervision, this position will be responsible for conducting or assisting in developing/executing moderate to complex financial analysis in conjunction with development, acquisition and divestiture opportunities, or operational assignments.
Primary Responsibilities
1. Assists in the conduct of financial and economic analyses and operational assignments in activities such as merger and divestiture analysis, strategic planning, competitor analysis and valuation.

Hey guys I'm new here but looking for a bit of advice:

I graduated in May from a non-target school and I've been trying to get an analyst role of any sort working in investment research. I took the Level 1 CFA in June and passed that, which I feel has earned me a few interviews. I have made it to the final stage but nothing has stuck because the roles weren't research oriented and they said they felt I'd just leave after 2 years.

Recently, I've been targeting a job at boutique, middle market, and bulge bracket IBs for an analyst gig after graduating college. I've been thinking about my plans after working two to three years as an analyst. There are several scenarios that I have in mind:

1. I'm conversational in an asian language and thought of going abroad and completing a master's program in international commerce. I want to work in corporate strategy or development for few years. Then, come back to the states and completing a top MBA program and then work at a fortune 100 company here. I want to gain international exposure to work globally in asia and in the states.

I posted this in my original corporate development thread (http://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forums/the-other-ro...) but figured I would create a separate topic to give this opportunity more visibility.

For those interested in corporate strategy / corporate development jobs..I just came across the following posting.

Can someone shed some light on the lifestyle and compensation within corporate development groups at large companies. Just wondering what the hours are like and compensation for someone with 6-8 years of experience. Thanks

Does anyone have a sample corporate development cover letter that they would be willing to share? Or simply, any ideas as to what one should include?

Thanks.

Hi Monkeys,

I have a job interview for a Manager of Business Development role in Rockville, MD (Washington DC metro). The HR director wants me to quote a salary, I am wondering what a good range is for this role. The specs are below.

Location - Rockville, MD
Industry - Healthcare
Exp - modeling, including IS/BS/CF models, DCF valuation, LBO analysis and fx models with 6-9 work exp.

Thanks,
Raj

Any thoughts on this group for a full-time analyst position? (Pay, culture/hours, exit opps)

How does it compare to Lazard IBD?

Thanks.

Any thoughts on which to take? I was attracted to a summer in IB to see what it's like and to further build my financial skills but I am leaning towards Corp Dev as a longer term career option (due to lifestyle). Having come from more of a strategic background would a summer in IB still be worthwhile before shifting to corp dev or possibly PE post-mba?

I am currently at a Big 4 working in audit based in the UK. When in college I had an offer after an internship from a 2nd Tier IB in Corporate Finance. I enjoyed the work, disliked the highly unpredictable long hours and got good performance reviews. In the end I decided to get my ACA because long term I see myself in a senior finance role in industry and decided that the qualification is useful to have. Now that I am approaching the end of my training I am beginning to consider my options.

I am a strong performer with excellent academics (not quite Oxbridge but Edinburgh/St.Andrews/Warwick caliber) and good client experience but solely in audit (cannot move departments in my firm until fully qualified and out of training contract).

What are your thoughts on working from ER to corp. development?

Is this feasible? With no transaction experience would that be a negative thing?

If you could snag a corporate development position at a F500 tech or media firm that in theory keeps buyside opportunities open (VC/PE), would you take it over BB or elite boutique IBD? If you wanna be a corporate VP or CEO or something in the long-term, does it make more sense to do corp dev than banking? Do you learn anything in banking that you wouldn't learn in corp dev that an executive decisionmaker needs to know?

Cost-benefit analysis please. I obviously know the lifestyle tradeoffs, and I've seen the great thread by harvardgrad08 already.

Hey Guys,

So I have been trying hard to get an investment banking internship for this summer and really haven't had much luck. I have a 3.9 in a top accounting program and I've networked a lot with banks, but I still can't manage to get noticed by many banks. I have only had 3 first round interviews and those got me to two SuperDays.

I am starting to panic though because I have exhausted my contacts at various banks and my chances are now looking slim. I have heard that corporate development is a good alternative but it seems as though a lot of the internships are for MBAs. Do you guys know of any corporations that offer undergrad internships?

Thank you for your help.

I'm still in college but my plan is to work at an Investment Bank after undergrad then going for my MBA.
I'm really interested in the media industry and would like to work deals with-in that specific sector working in Corporate development(M&A)/Corporate Strategy. I'm not sure what would be a better career move for me.
Which would be suited best for me; working in Private Equity or working in Corporate Finance(Corporate Develpment) Ideally for one of the top media conglomerates ie. Viacom,Time Warner,Disney,20 century,nbcuniversal etc.
If i worked at a private equity firm would I be able to just focus on Media?
I'm really interested in Strategic planning and actually coming up with ideas and plans as well as implementation with-in the industry along with M&A.

So after spending two and a half yrs at a BB in a finance rotational program in Asia, I went to the UK to attend a top target for a MSc Finance, but due to family reasons, had to come back to my home country.

I started in a PC role at another BB (lower ranking), but definently do not want to be pigeon holed in this role. I have the option of deferring my studies by a yr, but will have a blank on my resume until then.

I was thinking about quitting the firm and doing an internship at a fund (non paid) where I get to work on deals but the problem is that I will have no income.

What do you guys suggest I do? Is there any way out of this? Please give me advice?
Would it be stupid to quit this job in this market??

Hey all,

So I graduated in May and am currently working for a very active corp M&A team (Company: ~3B EV, ~6 acquisitions in previous 2 years, some deals in excess of $100M). The experience is great (team of 5 so I'm very involved in the deal processes, we look at ~5/month and proceed to diligence on ~1-2 deals) but the pay isn't quite up to my liking. My goal is to get into PE within the next few years...

How often do ER analysts/associates switch careers to corporate strategy or development? It seems as though a lot of the skills and knowledge you'd gain in ER could be applicable in-house at a F500. Are there times during one's career where the move is common? And which level positions would you transition into?