Cortus Advisory
Corporate Finance Executive
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Corporate Finance (CF) Executive
About Cortus Advisory
Cortus Advisory Group helps buy, sell, fund, grow and fix businesses and operates across six UK offices in Leeds, Manchester, Preston, Nottingham, Birmingham and London. Comprising of 50+ professionals, our team brings together professionals at different stages of their careers, creating a supportive and inclusive environment.
The overall vision for Cortus is to create a truly collaborative and inclusive professional services business where everyone can have a varied, enjoyable, and successful career. A vehicle to facilitate positive social change and challenge the norms.
In just over five years, Cortus Advisory Group has become one of the fastest growing independent financial advisory boutiques in the UK. Group revenue has grown from zero to over £5.0m.
Our Culture and Values
Cortus is founded on the values of Integrity, Collaboration and Expertise. These guide how we support our colleagues, clients and communities, and shape the inclusive, high-quality way we work.
Our supportive working environment is underpinned by access to RISE, our market-leading training and development programme, alongside mentoring from experienced colleagues.
We are proud that many of our (repeat) clients put environmental concerns and ESG policies at the heart of their own business agenda. Cortus is forward-thinking, embracing innovation and technologies such as AI to enhance its services and deliver cutting-edge solutions for clients.
The Opportunity
We are seeking a highly motivated Corporate Finance (CF) Executive to join our CF team. In this role you will support the delivery of corporate finance engagements, taking responsibility for core areas of analysis, due diligence and deliverables. The role requires strong technical capability, commercial awareness and the ability to manage multiple responsibilities while working closely with internal teams and external stakeholders.
The role will be based from our Manchester office with occasional travel to other offices in the UK and client premises.
Overall Aims
Project Execution
- Performs independent analysis, supports and manages due diligence processes, and prepares first drafts of key transaction documents with accuracy and clarity.
Commercial Awareness
- Develops a technical understanding of frameworks, regulations and transaction dynamics; analyses markets and buyer landscapes; and contributes to identifying solutions.
Personal Impact
- Works confidently with stakeholders, building and maintaining relationships while demonstrating professionalism and resilience.
Personal Effectiveness
- Manages multiple projects and deadlines effectively, demonstrates initiative, and continues to develop technical and professional capability.
Key Responsibilities
Project Execution
- Analyse financial statements and performance metrics, identifying key trends and drivers
- Perform valuation analysis, including:
- Discounted Cash Flow (DCF)
- Precedent transactions analysis
- Asset-based valuations
- Deliver high-quality outputs through accurate financial modelling, reporting and data interpretation
- Support and manage due diligence processes, ensuring data integrity and timely delivery
- Draft first versions of key marketing and transaction materials, including:
- Heads of Terms (HoTs)
- Information Memoranda (IMs)
- Management presentation decks
- Prepare materials that clearly and accurately represent a client’s financial performance and operations
- Utilise advanced Excel skills and financial databases (e.g. M2M, FAME) to support analysis and research
- Monitor and adhere to relevant compliance requirements across engagements
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Commercial Awareness
- Maintain awareness of corporate governance and compliance requirements relevant to transactions
- Conduct market research, identifying industry trends and assessing competitive landscapes
- Demonstrate awareness of tax considerations in different deal structures
- Analyse the buyer universe, contributing to targeting and evaluation of potential acquirers
- Summarise and interpret buyer feedback throughout the transaction process
- Identify financial risks and opportunities, proposing practical and actionable solutions
- Demonstrate strong awareness of broader market dynamics
- Contribute to competitive bid processes and formal client presentations
Personal Impact
- Work effectively with internal teams and external stakeholders to support delivery
- Liaise confidently with clients, advisors and other third parties
- Adapt to changing priorities and transaction environments
- Build and maintain industry and market relationships to support corporate finance activity and broader business initiative
- Demonstrate resilience under pressure, particularly in live deal situations
- Coordinate team and office activities where required
- Support Managers and senior team members in delivery of outputs
- Maintain and contribute to development plans and appraisal preparation
Personal Effectiveness
- Take responsibility for quality control of your own work, ensuring accuracy and consistency
- Manage multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining high standards
- Proactively identify opportunities to improve processes and efficiency
- Demonstrate the flexibility needed to meet tight transaction deadlines
- Take initiative in ongoing technical and professional development, making full use of training, mentoring and development opportunities
- Develop and manage personal brand, including professional presence (e.g. LinkedIn)
- Balance competing stakeholder demands effectively
- Communicate effectively, with strong verbal and written skills to present financial insights clearly
Summary
This role supports the development of a well-rounded Corporate Finance professional, combining technical analysis, commercial understanding and stakeholder interaction. The Executive will contribute to transaction delivery while building the skills required for progression within the Corporate Finance team.
Application Requirements
Required
- ACA, ACCA, or equivalent.
- Strong financial analysis skills with an excellent understanding of accounting principles (UK GAAP and IFRS).
- Experience in audit, corporate finance, or financial analysis (typically from a professional services environment).
- Ability to explain complex financial issues clearly and concisely.
- Proficiency with Excel and ability to handle large datasets confidently.
- Strong interpersonal skills, including emotional intelligence, alongside excellent communication and report-writing skills.
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Preferred (but not essential)
- Prior experience in Transaction Services, FDD, or M&A advisory.
- Experience with private equity clients or entrepreneurial mid‑market businesses.
- Understanding of sector trends in the UK mid‑market and/or private equity landscape.
Personal Attributes
We are looking for someone with a commercial mindset, strong attention to detail and a genuine interest in deals, business performance and value drivers.
- Self-motivated, enthusiastic, and able to take initiative.
- Strong attention to detail combined with the ability to see the bigger picture.
- Comfortable working in fast‑paced, deal-driven environments.
- Collaborative team player with a willingness to learn.
- Genuine interest in working with owner-managed businesses and supporting their growth and progression planning.
- A keen interest in AI and data analytics is also valuable.
We’re looking for someone who embraces the Cortus values:
- We approach our work with Integrity - Our honest approach makes us human; we provide advice with understanding. We respect and support our colleagues, promoting diversity and inclusion with everyone having the opportunity to do the work they enjoy.
- Collaboration is key - We work closely with our clients in an agile manner to ensure we provide the right team, with the right skills, to deliver the best solution. We care about and actively partner with other organisations; to invest in our local communities.
- Our Expertise makes us best in class - We strive to maximise the potential of our team through focused training programmes. We take ownership of our work and we never compromise on quality.
Here's What You Will Get at Cortus
- Competitive base salary and bonus (benchmarked twice a year to market)
- Annual Leave - Team members receive 25 days of annual leave plus public holidays
- Birthday Leave - Take the day off to celebrate your birthday
- Company sick pay
- Option to purchase annual leave
- One-to-One mentoring
- Flexible working options
- Enhanced paternity / maternity / sick leave
- Annual Peer/Mentoring allowance
- Medicash health plan
- Pension salary sacrifice scheme - with employer contributions being paid on full salary
- Nursery salary sacrifice
- Cycle to work scheme
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Financial wellbeing
- Elderly care family support
- Virtual GP
- Annual Company Corporate Conference
- Annual CSR day
- Mental health support
- Supported study programmes
- Referral bonus
How to Apply
If Cortus sounds like the kind of place you’d like to work, apply below.
Using AI in the Application Process
We value authenticity and want to understand who you are, your experiences and what you bring to the table. We welcome the use of AI to polish your narrative, explore ideas and structure your thoughts –– but remember we want to see the real you. Please ensure the final application reflects your journey and your skills (otherwise you’ll just be saying the same thing as everyone else!).
Equal Opportunities
At Cortus is committed to equal opportunities and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. We also believe that every candidate should have an equal opportunity to demonstrate their abilities so if you need any adjustments during the hiring process.
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