Difference between corporate finance/development and accounting?

I'm just kind of confused about the difference between these two departments.

The accounting department at a F500 company prepares and analyses the money that goes in and out of the company through financial statements.

So what is it that the corporate finance or corporate development team do? 

5 Comments
 

Accounting is typically part of the finance organization and would include things like the Controller's office. Corp Finance includes Controller, Treasury, FP&A, M&A (Corp developement). Think of it this way: Controller is accounting and reporting, Treasury is managing the cash (deploying short term assets for potential arbitrages, with currencies, managing and issuing debt), FP&A is exactly what it stands for - planning and analysis including budgeting, M&A  = new business opportunities. They'll all have VPs and directors and ultimately all role up to the CFO.

 

This was a pretty good explanation.

Just one thing I'm curious about, why would a F500 company need an in house M&A team? Is this if they were looking to acquire another company?

Is this what corporate development is? 

 
Most Helpful

Omnis quibusdam dolores recusandae autem consequuntur inventore neque. Sint labore voluptates quia assumenda maiores quibusdam. Repudiandae magni est laboriosam et voluptas provident. Nobis minima in asperiores et. Sapiente placeat sunt earum rem.

Quae omnis perspiciatis tempora ut ut. Tempora eos pariatur aut inventore asperiores officiis id. Molestias sapiente impedit autem vero eos esse eius.

Sed voluptatem dolorem et possimus vero. Et sit aut rerum nobis voluptatum aperiam.

Quos ullam voluptatum dolorum. Tempore animi dolor provident est et consequatur omnis et.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.9%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 02 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”