Junior Analyst – Financial Advisory and Consulting Team (FACT) recruitment
THE COMPANY
European Capital (ECAS) is a 100% subsidiary of American Capital (Nasdaq: ACAS), a publicly traded private equity firm and global asset manager with $57 billion in assets under management.
American Capital, both directly and through its global asset management business, originates, underwrites and manages investments in middle market private equity, leveraged finance, real estate and structured products. American Capital and its affiliates invest from $10 million to $100 million per company in North America.
Since its August 1997 IPO, American Capital and the funds it manages have invested approximately $30 billion in over 520 portfolio companies. Its diverse portfolio is invested in virtually every industry sector. ACAS has approximately 90 investment professionals in five offices in the United States and two in Europe (ECAS).
ACAS has three primary lines of business, serving as financial partner in management and employee buyouts, providing senior debt, mezzanine and equity financing for buyouts led by private equity firms and providing capital directly to private and small public companies. ACAS also pursues One Stop Buyouts®, funding senior debt, mezzanine and equity. ACAS is a long term and patient investor.
European Capital is an investment company seeking pan-European senior and mezzanine debt investment opportunities from €10 MM to €40 MM and One Stop Buyouts® up to €100 MM. It currently has €1.1 billion of assets under management, 49 portfolio companies and 46 employees in two offices in London and Paris. Since August 2005, European Capital and its affiliates have originated and managed approximately €3.3 billion in over 90 portfolio companies, in a diverse range of industry sectors.
THE POSITION
As a junior analyst based in Paris, your work will be primarily focussed on (i) the quarterly valuations of ECAS investments and (ii) the monitoring and assessment of ECAS portfolio companies’ performance via MDA style reporting and financial analysis. Occasionally, you will assist FACT managers and senior analysts in performing financial/accounting due diligence procedures as well as specific projects related to ECAS portfolio companies. Other tasks will include coordinating and interfacing with both internal and external parties as well as assisting in organising the FACT team interventions and deliverables.
Working closely with FACT team managers and analysts, the candidate must possess strong analytical skills, a good understanding of corporate finance and accounting concepts, strong excel modelling skills, high adaptability and good under pressure to deliver structured, accurate and reliable analysis.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Valuations: Prepare ECAS portfolio companies’ quarterly valuations based on audited and reported results, forecasts and other financial analysis;
- Portfolio Monitoring: Maintain effective monthly financials management, monitor metrics of ECAS portfolio companies and prepare monthly MDA;
- Accounting/financial Due Diligence Portfolio management projects: Assist other FACT team members in performing accounting/financial due diligence procedures as well as other special projects related to the ECAS portfolio companies.
IDEAL EXPERIENCE
- Business school graduate (will also consider final year students seeking an internship);
- Major in finance, audit or financial controlling;
- Experience as a trainee in the transaction services or audit department of a big four accounting firm.
PERSONAL PROFILE
- Superior analytical and quantitative skill set;
- Resourceful and innovative approach to problem solving;
- Rigorous and very well structured mind-set, willing to accept accountability and manage tasks from inception through to closure;
- Strong written and oral English and French;
- Holding a Chartered Accountant degree (French DECF or equivalent) would be an advantage;
- Team player with participatory and inclusive operating style;
- Ability to work effectively within a decentralised, matrix and non-hierarchical organisation;
- Able to travel as there is occasional involvement in projects across Europe, but mainly in France, the UK and Germany.
COMPENSATION
A competitive compensation and benefits package will include base salary, bonus and fully-paid medical insurance.