Quels exits après une carrière en M&A ? Les opportunités offertes par l'expérience en fusions-acquisitions
A career in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) offers intensive training in finance and strategy, opening the door to numerous professional opportunities. Whether you are junior or senior, the skills you acquire in financial modeling, strategic analysis, and negotiation are transferable and highly sought after. Here are the main career paths after a career in M&A, tailored to each level of experience.
Read more: Private Equity: Understanding the Differences Between Front, Middle, and Back Office
1. Private equity: The most natural exit
Why? M&A experience is directly applicable in investment funds, where the goal is to identify, acquire, and grow companies.
Junior (2-5 years of experience): Funds are actively recruiting former M&A bankers for their ability to analyze investment opportunities and build robust financial models. An M&A analyst can join a fund such as KKR or Blackstone as an associate, with increased responsibility and compensation.
Seniors (5+ years): Experienced profiles are sought after for their ability to source deals and negotiate acquisitions. An MD can become a partner in a mid-market fund, where their network and execution expertise are major assets.
Advantages: Attractive compensation (carried interest), direct impact on companies, entrepreneurial environment.
2. Chief Financial Officer (CFO) or corporate strategy: An operational role
Why? Companies are looking for M&A profiles to drive external growth and restructuring.
Juniors (2-5 years): Former M&A professionals often move into corporate development or strategic planning. A partner may become head of corporate development at LVMH or TotalEnergies, managing acquisitions and partnerships.
Seniors (5+ years): Experienced professionals become CFOs or strategic directors. A former MD may become CFO of a listed group, overseeing finance and acquisition strategy.
Advantages: Impactful operational role, better work-life balance, competitive compensation.
3. Entrepreneurship and fund creation: Capitalizing on expertise
Why? Experience in financial structuring and networking is an asset when launching a startup or fund.
Juniors (3-7 years): Some launch startups (fintech, consulting) or join venture capital funds. A former banker may create a fund specializing in tech or healthcare, capitalizing on their valuation expertise.
Seniors (10+ years): Experienced professionals raise their own private equity funds. A former MD may launch a fund specializing in renewable energy, using their network and expertise.
Advantages: Freedom, unlimited earning potential, impact on the real economy.
4. Strategy consulting (McKinsey, BCG, Bain): A transition to high-end consulting.
Why? Firms value the analytical rigor and business transformation experience of M&A profiles.
Juniors (2-4 years): Former M&A professionals join corporate finance or restructuring practices. An analyst can become a consultant at McKinsey, working on external growth mandates.
Seniors (5+ years): Experienced profiles become partners or directors. A former VP can become a partner at Bain, leading due diligence assignments for funds.
Advantages: Exposure to various sectors, high compensation, rapid career advancement prospects.
5. Public sector and regulation: Bringing expertise to institutions
Why? Public institutions are looking for experts in financial markets and economic analysis.
Juniors (3-5 years): Regulators recruit to analyze systemic risks. A former associate may join the AMF, working on merger regulation.
Seniors (10+ years): Experienced profiles move into senior positions. A former MD can become deputy director at the Treasury, overseeing government holdings.
Advantages: Public interest mission, stability, influential network.
6. Corporate finance and corporate treasury: A key role in large groups
Why? Companies recruit M&A profiles to manage their cash flow and market operations.
Juniors (2-5 years): Roles in treasury or investor relations are accessible. A former analyst can become debt manager at Airbus, managing financing.
Seniors (5+ years): Experienced profiles become financial directors. A former M&A director can become CFO of a L'Oréal subsidiary, overseeing financial strategy.
Advantages: Central role, attractive compensation, stable environment.
7. Education and training: Passing on expertise
Why? Schools are looking for experienced professionals to teach corporate finance.
Seniors (10+ years): Experienced professionals become professors or lecturers. A former banker may teach at HEC or LBS, passing on their M&A expertise.
Advantages: Flexibility, impact on future generations, academic network.
How to choose your exit strategy?
The choice depends on your aspirations, your level of experience, and your appetite for risk. Juniors (0-3 years) can aim for private equity, corporate development, or consulting. Seniors (5+ years) have access to CFO roles, fund creation, or positions in the public sector.
Your key skills also influence your choice: expertise in financial modeling favors private equity or corporate development, while a good network and business acumen open doors to entrepreneurship or investor relations.
Conclusion
Experience in M&A is one of the best springboards for a career in finance, offering a variety of opportunities at all levels. Whether you want to join an investment fund, become a CFO, start your own business, or advise governments, the skills you acquire in M&A will open doors for you. For students and young professionals, this career offers accelerated training with prestigious exits. For experienced professionals, it allows for a transition to high-impact roles. Ultimately, experience in M&A remains a passport to a successful and fulfilling career in finance.
