2026 Full-Time Associate, M&A (FDD/TAS Experience Required)

Lincoln International • Chicago, IL

77d • $175,000

About The Position

Lincoln International is seeking Associates to join our rapidly growing M&A practice in Chicago and New York. Successful candidates have strong cognitive and interpersonal abilities, want to develop their professional and personal skills and are motivated by the prospect of building a leading M&A advisory firm. Candidates hired to this role join with Lincoln's 2026 Full-Time class in January/February to go through training at that time. The Associate position at Lincoln International involves interacting closely with the firm’s senior bankers and clients’ senior executives. Our Associates are heavily involved in every aspect of an M&A transaction and ultimately, master the ability to execute a deal from start-to-finish. Given our global platform, Associates also receive a high level of exposure to international clients and buyers, thus further enhancing their experience. In addition, Associates are expected to contribute to Analysts’ development and support new business development efforts. Lincoln International continuously provides our Associates with opportunities beyond typical roles in order to accelerate professional development and maximize career trajectory.

Requirements

• Minimum of 3+ years of Financial Due Diligence or M&A Transaction Advisory at a Big 4 firm (or A&M, RSM, Grant Thornton, BDO, BRG, Eisner Amper, Riveron, Moss Adams, or Cohn Reznick) preferred
• Fluent in accounting (e.g. Quality of Earnings) and finance and strong business acumen
• Strong verbal and written communication skills (e.g. PowerPoint)
• Assertive, self-motivated and desire to succeed in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment

Nice To Haves

• Candidates at the Manager level and/or 3rd year Senior Associate/Supervisor are strongly encouraged to apply for this role

Responsibilities

• Coordinating day-to-day client interactions, serving as the central point of contact between clients and the M&A team
• Conducting industry research to identify market trends, buyers, and acquisition targets
• Preparing confidential information memoranda and management presentations
• Performing core M&A modeling, valuation and databook preparation with strong understanding of supporting quality of earnings analysis
• Synthesizing large and complex datasets into strategic insights by identifying underlying key performance trends and underlying business drivers
• Managing vendor due diligence workstreams, overseeing preparation, coordination, and delivery across financial, commercial, and operational streams to drive transaction execution
• Coordinating bidder engagement, managing dataroom preparation and upkeep, tracking information requests, and liaising between management and bidders to ensure timely, accurate responses
• Support transaction negotiations by providing analysis on purchase price adjustments, working capital targets, indemnities, and completion mechanics
• Overseeing analyst workstreams by reviewing deliverables and providing guidance
• Participating in new business development meetings and pitches
• Hosting visits by potential buyers at client facilities
• Leading or driving initiatives to enhance the firm’s franchise value

Benefits

• Comprehensive package of benefits to eligible employees

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees