Finance Associate in M&a

**About the role**

We are seeking a dynamic and ambitious Finance Associate in M&A to join our team in Kontich, Antwerp. You will play a key role in guiding the growth of our portfolio companies by performing financial analysis, valuations and due diligence for M&A transactions, and collaborating with management to achieve sustainable success.

This unique role at Companions offers the best of both worlds: immersion in an investment environment and tangible impact within various enterprises across different sectors. This exposure promises a dynamic learning journey with a steep career path, where financial acumen, ownership and analytical skills become your winning advantage.

**Your responsibilities will include**
- Supporting the evaluation of investment opportunities by reviewing the available information & presenting your findings to the team;
- Performing valuation on target companies to determine potential financial returns as well as deal structuring (determining mix of cash/equity/debt);
- Conducting and coordinating in the due diligence by critically examining the financial statements and other available information, being able to see through incomplete information and distil the key risks and opportunities;
- Together with both external & internal functional specialists, supporting other due diligence streams such as tax, legal, operational, and strategic aspects of the target company;
- Managing project timelines and workflows to ensure all deal-related activities are completed on schedule;
- Supporting purchase price negotiations including price, payment structure and post-acquisition plans through the findings obtained in due diligence;
- Coordinating with financial institutions to negotiate financing terms;
- Preparing & valuing potential exits;
- Support the external stakeholder communication at the level of Companions Group by assisting in the overall portfolio valuation.

**You are the perfect fit if you **
- Hold a master's degree in economics, management, business, or commercial engineering;
- Have an excellent academic track record;
- Possess 2-4 years of experience in a similar M&A role (experience in transaction services is a plus but not essential);
- Are highly analytical and proficient in Excel;
- Have critical thinking skills, can spot inconsistencies, and reason logically;
- Are results-driven and motivated to go the extra mile;
- Seek a steep career path, with the opportunity to grow into a C-executive role;
- Want to achieve maximum impact and are hands-on;
- Work in a structured approach, and have the flexibility to quickly adapt;
- Are an out-of-the-box thinker, are bold and dare to disagree;
- Have a passion for winning and are convinced that winning is nicer as a team;
- Are fluent in both spoken and written Dutch and English, French is a plus.

**You simply can’t resist our offer because it includes **
- A high level of autonomy, trust, and responsibility;
- The potential to collaborate closely with high-performing management teams, and inspiring colleagues, who consistently go the extra mile;
- A rapidly changing and growing environment that encourages leadership, entrepreneurship and ownership;
- Unforgettable team experiences;
- An optimised salary package.

**About Companions**

Companions is an independent investment company that was founded in 2022. We invest in small
- to medium-sized enterprises, focusing on companies with an EBITDA of up to €3M across diverse sectors.

Companions is an active investor: we improve operational and commercial performance, accelerate growth through M&A, and ensure continuity. What truly sets us apart is our internal team of business analysts, accounting experts, strategic wizards and financial maestros. Our team is actively involved in driving growth within our companies.

Headquartered in Antwerp, our dedication to success, a hunger for learning, and a commitment to positive impact drive everything we do.