The Corporate Finance department of an investment bank operates with the purpose of ensuring that its corporate clients have sufficient capital to fund trading and future plans. Corporate Finance often refers to the work involved in mergers and acquisitions and the raising of funds for these purposes.

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Corporate finance (in the UK) is the provision of services to companies to facilitate major transactions, for example mergers and acquisitions. Corporate Financiers assist companies in raising the capital to complete business deals, to manage debts or to fund expansion.

Corporate finance in the UK is commonly associated with deals involving the sale or purchase of a company. Corporate Financiers may be the originators of such transactions, or may simply provide the services which are required to allow such deals to take place. Corporate Financiers advise their clients on how to successfully achieve their business and financial aims.

Typical duties of a Corporate Financier include:

• Developing expertise in particular markets or industries with the aim of assessing the potential of deals, a process which is called origination. Corporate Financiers may originate deals themselves or may work with clients who have expressed a desire to make a particular deal.
• Execution: working in detail to negotiate and structure the terms of a deal.
• Working with clients to raise capital through the sale of equity - for example, via Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) or via private equity.
• Working with clients to raise and restructure debt.
• Researching new business opportunities and presenting them to clients and/or colleagues.
• Managing the complex teams required to work on deals.

Qualifications

Entry level roles require a solid record of academic achievement and a good university degree. Employers look for candidates who can demonstrate commercial acumen and a sound understanding of the financial markets.

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