Finance and investment graduates seeking to acquire experience in mergers, acquisitions and valuations may want to consider the KPMG South Africa Deal Advisory Graduate Programme for FY2027 in Johannesburg.
The three-year graduate programme provides participants with an opportunity to gain valuable insight in multiple areas of financial advisory, working with local and international teams. The vacancy is advertised under reference number 2600002Q.
What the KPMG Deal Advisory Graduate Programme Offers
The deal advisory graduate programme is a three-year fixed-term contract.
Unlike many graduate positions that may only allow participants to gain experience in a specific department, this vacancy offers the chance to rotate between three teams:
• Mergers and Acquisitions
• Transaction Services
• Valuations Advisory
This way, participants have the opportunity to gain a well-rounded understanding of the transaction advisory landscape, learning a variety of skills associated with each of these specialisations. They will also be exposed to multi-industry transactions and work with seasoned professionals in the industry.
Professional development is encouraged, with KPMG South Africa noting that graduates are able to continue their studies in areas such as CIMA or CFA. This is especially important for those considering a long-term career in financial analysis, investment, transaction advisory or corporate finance.
In addition to local expertise, graduates also have the opportunity to learn from international specialists, gaining insight into diverse transaction advisory processes.
Who Can Apply?
In terms of qualifications, the vacancy is open to candidates with any of the following tertiary qualifications:
• Financial Management (Hons)
• Financial Sciences (Hons)
• Bachelor of Business Science (Finance) with Honours (four-year degree)
• Certificate in Management Accounting (CIMA)
• Certificate as a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
• Investment Management (Hons)
Applicants should also have completed financial or business accounting up to at least third year. These requirements illustrate the types of candidates KPMG South Africa is looking for, but it is important to note that the company considers academic achievement to be only one aspect of their selection criteria.
Skills KPMG Is Looking For
KPMG advertises the vacancy with the understanding that not all suitable candidates will have the necessary skills and experience. As such, they have identified the most important competencies they are looking for in a potential graduate.
Analytical and Problem-Solving Ability
Graduates should have strong analytical skills, being able to identify issues and investigate potential causes, determining what action should be taken to resolve them. They should be able to operate independently, critically examining financial data and other relevant information.
These skills are especially important in a transaction advisory role, where business dynamics and financial factors are constantly shifting. Graduates should therefore have some experience with analysing and interpreting financial figures, being able to identify patterns, irregularities and potential risks.
Teamwork
The majority of corporate transactions take place within teams, with professional advisors collaborating to complete complex deals successfully. Graduates should therefore have strong teamwork skills, being able to communicate effectively with others while also understanding their role in a team environment.
At the same time, they should also be able to work independently when necessary.
Adaptability
With the need to work in teams and complete individual tasks, it is vital that graduates are able to adapt to different environments. This is also important when dealing with different industries, as the needs of each client can vary significantly. As such, adaptability is a crucial skill for this vacancy, with KPMG looking for candidates with a positive attitude and willingness to learn.
Interest in Financial Advisory
KPMG South Africa is looking for candidates with a genuine interest in the financial advisory space. As such, they encourage applications from those with a specific interest in Deal Advisory, as opposed to graduates with finance qualifications who may have limited understanding of the transaction advisory landscape.
What Is Deal Advisory?
Deal advisory services assist organisations in completing complex financial and strategic transactions, playing a crucial role in mergers and acquisitions, transaction services and valuations.
Mergers and acquisitions
Mergers and acquisitions typically involve the buying, selling or swapping of businesses, with specialists providing assistance on both sides of the deal, helping clients to understand the value on offer and support them in negotiating the most favourable terms.
Transaction services
Transaction services assist clients in completing high-value transactions, providing independent analysis of financial statements and other factors that may impact deals.
Valuations
Finally, valuation specialists calculate the value of businesses, assets and other investments, playing an important role in informing corporate decisions.
By working across these three areas, graduates will have the opportunity to gain valuable insight into the end-to-end deal process, acquiring a diverse range of skills.
Why the Three-Year Structure Matters
Most graduate programmes are short-term, typically only lasting for one year. In many cases, they are designed to allow new graduates to apply their academic skills in a professional environment, with little opportunity for in-depth experience.
The three-year structure of the KPMG Deal Advisory Graduate Programme benefits both the employer and the employee. For the former, it allows them to identify the most talented graduates, selecting those with the strongest combination of skills and abilities. For the participants, it means that they have sufficient time to gain meaningful experience in the industry.
For graduates considering obtaining professional qualifications, such as CIMA or CFA, it also provides the opportunity to pursue these opportunities without disrupting their working life.
On the other hand, it is important for graduates to understand that while this vacancy provides a fantastic opportunity, it does not guarantee a permanent role. Once the initial three-year contract expires, future employment prospects will depend on a variety of factors, including business needs, individual performance and the availability of vacancies.
Potential Career Paths Following Deal Advisory Experience
The combination of experience, skills and insight gained through the KPMG Deal Advisory Graduate Programme can enable participants to pursue a variety of different careers in the financial services industry. The primary options include:
• Corporate finance
• Transaction advisory
• Investment analysis
• Valuations
• Financial due diligence
• Investment banking
• Corporate development
• Financial consulting
The right qualifications and professional development can also enable graduates to obtain CIMA or CFA certification, gaining even greater versatility and credibility in the financial services industry.
How the Programme Could Benefit Finance Graduates
For a recent finance graduate, the most attractive feature of this vacancy is the opportunity to gain hands-on experience, as opposed to relying on theoretical studies. The combination of technical knowledge, professional mentorship, practical advisory insight and multi-disciplinary rotations can give participants an invaluable glimpse into the world of transaction advisory, helping them determine whether this is the career that they wish to pursue.
Application Checklist
Those interested in this vacancy should ensure that they have the relevant tertiary qualifications and financial/accounting background. It is also vital that they have a genuine interest in the deal advisory space, along with the analytical, teamwork, problem-solving, communication and self-management skills mentioned above can submit on company portal.
Before submitting their application, candidates should also ensure that they understand the requirements set out by KPMG South Africa in the official vacancy, being aware that the employer expects them to meet the qualification and experience requirements.
Programme at a Glance
Detail Information
Programme Deal Advisory Graduate Programme – JHB FY2027
Employer KPMG
Location Johannesburg
Contract Three-year fixed-term contract
Job Number 2600002Q
Business Area Deal Advisory
Rotations Mergers & Acquisitions, Transaction Services, Valuations Advisory
Professional Development CIMA/CFA levels encouraged
Target Applicants Finance, financial management and investment graduates
Final Takeaway
The KPMG Deal Advisory Graduate Programme FY2027 in Johannesburg offers finance graduates the opportunity to gain extensive hands-on experience, with three years of exposure to a variety of financial advisory services, including merger and acquisition, transaction services and valuations.
For the right candidate, this vacancy could represent an ideal opportunity to gain practical experience at the beginning of their professional career.
However, it is important for applicants to understand the requirements and responsibilities of this role, ensuring that they have the necessary qualifications and skills prior to submitting their application.
