Deals Analyst Review

As a Mergers & Acquisitions and Due Diligence intern, I supported a variety of live projects across different stages of the transaction lifecycle. After receiving training in Excel and PowerPoint, I assisted with company research, market analysis, financial benchmarking, and presentation preparation.
My work in m and a involved identifying comparable companies, analysing industry trends, supporting valuation exercises, and preparing materials for both internal and client-facing purposes. As I gained experience, I was given greater responsibility and had the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to live engagements, developing my analytical, research, and presentation skills in a professional environment.
My work in Due Diligence, I worked with company financial statements, converting financial information into Excel and carrying out analytical procedures. This involved reviewing data, performing calculations, and helping assess the reliability and consistency of financial performance information. Through this work, I developed my Excel, financial analysis, and attention-to-detail skills.

Initially, I was not given a large amount of responsibility, which was understandable as I was new to the role. However, I received extensive support through structured training and development activities that helped me build my technical skills in Excel and PowerPoint. The training was well organised and provided a strong foundation for the work I would later undertake.
As my confidence and skills developed, I was given greater responsibility and the opportunity to contribute to a wider range of projects. Throughout the internship, I worked closely with colleagues, buddies, and line managers who were always available to provide guidance and answer questions. This supportive environment allowed me to develop professionally while gaining practical experience in both M&A and Due Diligence.

I would say the internship helped me develop my Excel skills significantly. Although I studied Data Analytics at university, much of the teaching focused on more advanced techniques and assumed a level of existing knowledge. This internship helped me strengthen the core Excel skills that are essential in a professional environment.
I also developed my PowerPoint skills, learning how to create clear and professional presentations to a high standard. In addition, I improved my communication skills and gained confidence in delivering work within a corporate setting.
One of the biggest areas of development was my professional confidence. Working in a corporate environment gave me experience interacting with colleagues at different levels of seniority and helped me learn how to communicate effectively and professionally. Overall, the internship improved both my technical and professional skill set and gave me a much better understanding of working in a business environment.

During the initial training period, the level of support and development provided was excellent, which was particularly helpful while I was learning the fundamentals of the role. As I became more confident and began taking on project work, the support became more independent, with guidance available whenever I encountered challenges or had questions. I felt this was a sensible approach, as it allowed me to develop confidence in completing tasks on my own while still knowing that support was available when needed.

The company culture was very welcoming, particularly among the placement students, graduates, and junior members of the team. I built strong relationships with the other placement students, graduates, and my line manager, all of whom were supportive and approachable. While I had fewer opportunities to interact closely with more senior members of staff due to the nature of the internship, everyone I worked with was friendly and willing to help when needed.

I thoroughly enjoyed the internship, as it was my first experience in a professional environment. It allowed me to discover my strengths and weaknesses while gaining a better understanding of the type of work I enjoy. Having exposure to a wide range of tasks helped me identify which areas I was most interested in and motivated by, as well as those that were less appealing to me. Overall, the experience was invaluable in helping me understand both my professional interests and the skills I would like to continue developing in the future.

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