M&A Associate

About Ascend
Ascend empowers entrepreneurial CPAs to reach their goals with an innovative growth model that brings their firms into the new age. Backed by private equity from people-focused Alpine Investors, Ascend is building a modern platform for regional accounting firms that enables them to stay independent while accessing the resources of a large CPA firm to help them grow. Ascend provides access to growth capital, robust talent acquisition, best-of-breed technology, a catalytic leadership system, shared back-office services, and modernized equity incentives so that firms can surmount today’s industry challenges and reach their full potential. Founded in January 2023, the company attained revenues sufficient to qualify it as a Top 100 U.S. accounting firm within six months of operations.

For more information, visit https://www.ascendtogether.com/

About Alpine Investors
Alpine Investors is a people-driven private equity firm that is committed to building great companies by working with, learning from, and developing exceptional people. Alpine prides itself on fostering cultures where people value empowerment, diversity, fairness, integrity, and intellectual honesty. Founded in 2001, Alpine specializes in investments in companies in the software and services industries. Alpine has over $17 billion in AUM and has offices in San Francisco, New York, and Salt Lake City.

For more information on the firm, visit www.alpineinvestors.com

Position Summary
The mission is to spearhead Ascend’s inorganic growth strategy. We are seeking an individual who brings a passion for excellence and a dedication to process optimization, capable of delivering transformative results in our M&A function.

Key responsibilities include:
1. Cultivate Investment Judgment:
•Develop a keen understanding of investing in CPA firms.
•Approach each deal with an ownership mentality, assessing merits through data-driven analysis and not support a deal for the sake of “hitting” numbers or due to emotion.
•Share recommendations and concerns promptly, flagging issues early and knowing when to pause for recalibration.

2. Deliver High-Quality Diligence:
•Commit to producing prompt, accurate, and zero-defect diligence.
•Analyze and sanity-check raw data, quickly identifying gaps and escalating them as needed.
•Produce persuasive, well-organized, and audience-friendly work that addresses key issues effectively.
•Adopt a continuous improvement mindset, proposing new analyses or optimized approaches.
•Strive for self-sufficiency, seeking guidance efficiently and applying learnings independently.

3. Develop Process Management Skills:
•Utilize our process management tool as the central tool for deal process management, documenting best practices and attaching relevant exhibits.
•Meet key deal milestones.
•Anticipate next steps in the deal process by proactively identifying critical tasks.
•Maintain organized workflows across multiple active deals, keeping systems updated.
•Share insights and opportunities for improvement with managers and leadership.

4. Build Trusted Partnerships:
•Collaborate with cross-functional teams and sellers to ensure thoughtful and efficient deal execution.
•Support underwriting levers in the Ascend Proven Process.
•Contribute to internal-facing materials, such as analysis readouts and memos, to frame underwriting decisions.
•Foster rapport with sellers, respecting their time and journey during the information-gathering process.
•Coordinate with internal teams to ensure seamless back-end integration.

5. Lead Seamless Integration:
•Execute a thorough and orderly integration process.
•Work with Partner Firm leadership to ensure smooth front-end integration, including client and staff communications, cultural alignment, training, and growth plan priming.
•Oversee back-end integration with cross-functional teams to meet operational requirements.

6. Excel as a Team Player:
•Prepare thoroughly for all interactions and engagements.
•Manage third-party advisors effectively throughout deal processes.
•Demonstrate empathy and attentiveness when interacting with management teams during acquisitions.
•Proactively involve appropriate team members to ensure deliverables are completed successfully.

Qualifications:
•1-4 years of experience in investment banking, private equity, corporate development, M&A advisory, or management consulting.
•Strong proficiency in financial modeling, EBITDA normalization, and other valuation techniques.
•Advanced Excel skills, with the ability to use complex formulas, pivot tables, and scenario analysis effectively.
•Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
•Solid understanding of financial statements, including the ability to analyze and interpret data to identify trends and performance metrics.
•Experience conducting detailed data analyses and providing actionable insights.
•Excellent presentation skills, with the ability to create and deliver professional, persuasive content.
•Strong interpersonal skills to build trust and collaborate effectively with internal teams and external stakeholders.
•Proven ability to identify risks, escalate issues promptly, and problem-solve under pressure.
•Exceptional organizational skills, with attention to detail and follow-through.
•A growth mindset, with a commitment to receiving and acting on feedback for continuous improvement.
•A proactive, self-starter attitude with an ownership mentality and a willingness to take initiative.
•Adaptability and resilience in dynamic, fast paced environments.
•Foundational knowledge of M&A processes, including due diligence and transaction execution is a plus.
•Familiarity with CPA firm operations, revenue models, and cost structures is a plus.

Values
Ascend holds a high bar for building a team that lives the values that we have defined. The simplicity in it all is that we want people that are going to make a difference in the accounting industry and have fun doing it. This person can make that difference! We want an individual who can:
•Serve Whole-Heartedly: Approach the M&A process with a deep sense of responsibility and dedication. Ensure every interaction reflects professionalism, empathy, and a commitment to their success.•Own It: Take full accountability for driving the success of this critical growth initiative. Deliver results with precision and urgency.
•Be Excellent: Uphold the highest standards of excellence in every aspect of your work, meticulous attention to detail, well-structured processes, and consistently demonstrate a commitment to quality and professionalism.
•Win Together: Collaborate effectively with colleagues across teams and functions, recognizing that success is a collective effort. Foster an inclusive and cooperative environment, ensuring the M&A team reflects Ascend’s values.
•Bring the Sunshine: Approach engagements with enthusiasm, positivity, and respect. Build trust with sellers and stakeholders by fostering a collaborative and enjoyable process, creating a sense of excitement and confidence in the journey ahead.
We want people who can relate and own these values tried and true.

Education and Experience:
•Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics or any related field is required.
Compensation and Other
•Highly competitive compensation package, including attractive benefits.
•Start date is as soon as practicable.

At Ascend, we provide a fair and equal employment opportunity for all candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, age, marital status, disability, or any other legally protected characteristic. Ascend hires and promotes individuals solely based on qualifications for the position to be filled and business needs.