Big 4 M&A opportunity

Hi All,

I'm hoping for some advice. I'm currently working in technology consulting revolving around SAP. I had previously worked on a global M&A project, and some of the big4 guys reached out and want me to join their M&A practice.

My question is what exactly would that look like work wise. It is not FS, TS, or FDD. It is "Operational Due Diligence" I've been told that I will be intermingling with all of these fields. Is this great experience, I am interested in M&A and feel it is a good opportunity, i'd just like to be more on the FDD side I think. Could be wrong.

Any advice is appreciated.

 
Best Response

ODD is literally what it sounds like - you'll be reviewing the target's IT operations to provide a report out on how it fits in with the overall deal rationale.

Specific to IT, you'll likely be looking at things like software licenses, hardware, migrating and/or rationalizing systems/servers, etc. and associated costs or areas for savings.

As a heads up, DD work can be quick and dirty - long hours and short turnaround times for your reviews; but it's also a great way to get your deal count up and see the inner workings of of a lot of various businesses.

 

I've never heard of anyone working between all those groups - sounds like they just want to use your IT skills and spread them where needed. If you're trying to get into M&A, this would be the perfect opportunity. Even if you are still doing strictly IT stuff, the experience will look a lot better on your resume and you'll be able to spin it better for your next M&A opportunity down the road. Plus, you might actually learn something about M&A in the meantime.

 
ResponsibleRinger:

I've never heard of anyone working between all those groups - sounds like they just want to use your IT skills and spread them where needed. If you're trying to get into M&A, this would be the perfect opportunity. Even if you are still doing strictly IT stuff, the experience will look a lot better on your resume and you'll be able to spin it better for your next M&A opportunity down the road. Plus, you might actually learn something about M&A in the meantime.

Yea maybe it's just a ploy to seem more appealing, when not actually working in any of those areas. I am trying to get into M&A, I spent my first year in M&A doing ODD I believe, and the entire project peaked my interests. So you think that having M&A on my resume would be a better opportunity than becoming an SAP SME in my treasury field?

the_stig:

ODD is literally what it sounds like - you'll be reviewing the target's IT operations to provide a report out on how it fits in with the overall deal rationale.

Specific to IT, you'll likely be looking at things like software licenses, hardware, migrating and/or rationalizing systems/servers, etc. and associated costs or areas for savings.

As a heads up, DD work can be quick and dirty - long hours and short turnaround times for your reviews; but it's also a great way to get your deal count up and see the inner workings of of a lot of various businesses.

Hmm okay this is really good feedback, I wasnt aware it's so technical based. I am looking to get into a more finance rounded role. I agree with you that the experience and getting multiple deals under my belt would be good. I'm just weighing exit strategies etc.

This is what the manager sent me that referred me: Can either of you chime in on what you think after hearing this?

"We play in the middle of all of these sections of TS, FDD, and CF. We partner with all of them but we do operational diligence (cost to stand the company up) and then the actual stand up of the company. We do more of the PE advisory work than the transaction work"

"We help the PE fund decide if the company is crappy and can find savings and they buy them. Then we help change the company to improve any inefficiencies. Or we help sell the company or integrate it. So far I have done a FP&A role, an IMO role and due diligence work. Along with right now I'm helping file an s4 and prepare the 10-k".

Let me know what y'all think of this.

 

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