What are the main jobs in corporate finance?
1. Investment Fund Financial Analyst
- The role of the investment fund financial analyst is to assess the investment interest of their clients or a business under the authority of an acquisition arbitration director. Their main mission is to model the investment objectives and strategies for a fund. Their work includes a number of activities and services: financial analysis and research within companies, implementation of merger / acquisition operations, monitoring and assessment of investment risks, expertise suggestions in project feasibility…
- To start a career of the investment fund analyst, certain qualities and skills are required: interest in mathematics, rigour and discipline, good autonomy, team spirit and a good level of English.
- The salaries for the investment analysis jobs range from € 45k to € 65k of annual gross salary for profiles with 5 up to 15 years of experience. The salary of more experienced profiles can reach up to € 110k per year.
2. Risk Capital Financial Analyst (Venture Capital)
- The Financial Analyst in Venture Capital identifies and explores startup-type structures on behalf of a fund, finances them and provides a permanent support of their project if it is eligible. Their main job missions consist in sourcing and analysing investment opportunities, and supporting projects in a company.
- The skills required to become a financial analyst in Venture Capital are the following: proactivity, time and stress management, a good overall sense, diligence, knowledge of the startup functioning.
- The average salary of a Venture Capital analyst depends on their time management, missions and workplace, and ranges from € 38k gross to more than € 100k for senior positions, with bonuses and capital gains from the fund.
3. Mergers & Acquisitions Financial Analyst (M&A)
- The Merger and Acquisition analyst seeks to strengthen the companies they work with through financial transactions - mergers and acquisitions. They usually work in the banking sector or in an auditing firm in an advisory capacity. Their primary focus is to build transactional financial models and define a merger/acquisition strategy for the firm that employs them. Working with experts from different disciplines (lawyers, tax specialists, etc.), they develop strategy and financial packages. Risk evaluation and negotiation with stakeholders (clients, banks, investment funds) are integral parts of their work.
- The qualities and skills needed for this occupation are a good command of financial modelling tools, an excellent English level, good interpersonal and communication skills, as well as a good general knowledge and resilience.
- The salary of an M&A analyst is highly variable but can start at around €40k early in the career and rise to over €120k gross for senior positions.
4. Bank Financial Analyst
- Bank financial analysts are experts who work on behalf of a bank and provide the necessary information for successful investments in listed companies. They give advice to portfolio managers on investment opportunities and develop their profitability within banking institutions. Their role is to put together analyses of the companies' financial situation and share them with the risk management manager. They are focused on analysing investment programme financing, as well as exploitation or investment operations. This job also offers a good opportunity for career development, in equity management positions for example.
- This demanding job requires excellent analytical skills, team spirit, attention to detail, time management and rigour.
- Average starting salaries for bank financial analysts range from around €40k for junior positions to over €130k for senior positions.
5. Financial Analyst in Corporate Finance Consulting
- The main responsibilities of the corporate finance analyst are project cost modelling and 360° analysis of the financial and accounting elements - providing an understanding and addressing the risks and opportunities for the company. They also ensure compliance with accounting standards and suggest improvements to enhance the client's financial position. The main objective of a Corporate Finance analyst is usually to maximise the value of a business for the shareholders.
- This job is similar to a consulting position, and requires excellent financial modelling skills, a very good analytical capacity with a great overall sense, excellent interpersonal skills and intellectual curiosity in various fields.
- The average salary for corporate finance analysis jobs varies from €45k for junior positions to over €100k gross for senior positions.
Why join KEDGE Master of Science in Corporate Finance programme
KEDGE Business School's MSc Corporate Finance programme trains professionals who master financial tools and provide them with a perfect understanding of corporate needs and financial expertise. The course is entirely conducted in English on KEDGE Marseille campus. Marseille is the most important French city on the Mediterranean coast and one of the top destinations for international students. The city enjoys a great location on the French Riviera, close to Italy and just a few hours away from the Alps. Luminy's natural surroundings, home to the campus, are truly privileged. While living in Marseille, students are exposed to a wide range of cultural influences and enjoy a vibrant student life.
The programme is supported by an expert faculty and a strong network of partners, involved throughout the course and boosting graduates' employability. This course is ideal for a career in corporate finance, where they will have an opportunity to take up a position as a manager, executive or consultant in many areas of financial analysis.
Once graduates have gained a thorough understanding and a solid grasp of accounting and finance tools through the various courses, they will be able to meet the new challenges of corporate finance worldwide. Indeed, corporate finance experts usually pursue careers as managers or independent professionals in banking institutions located in major capitals (Paris, London, New York, Berlin...).
