Palm Tree is a modern M&A value creation firm that integrates financial consulting, operational consulting, and investment banking services. Founded in 2010, Palm Tree partners with private equity firms, business operators, and management teams through strategic events including acquisitions, carve-outs, recapitalizations, restructurings, integrations, and performance improvement initiatives.
The Strategic Finance Consulting team works alongside sponsors and executive leadership to strengthen financial visibility, improve forecasting rigor, and drive enterprise value creation within middle-market portfolio companies.
The Associate PositionThe Associate is a core execution leader within Palm Tree’s Strategic Finance Consulting practice. This role blends advanced financial modeling with hands-on engagement alongside CFOs and private equity sponsors. Associates are expected to operate with analytical rigor, strong commercial awareness, and an understanding of how financial performance translates into enterprise value.
Unlike Accounting Advisory, which focuses on historical reporting, technical accounting matters, and transaction accounting support, Strategic Finance Consulting centers on forward-looking financial planning, liquidity management, budgeting, forecasting, and operational performance improvement.
Associates deliver actionable financial insights that enable management teams to make real-time, value-oriented decisions.
Core ResponsibilitiesFinancial Planning & AnalysisBuild and maintain integrated 3-statement financial models
Develop 13-week cash flow models and rolling 12-week liquidity forecasts
Support Annual Operating Plan (AOP) development
Lead budgeting and forecasting processes, including scenario and sensitivity analyses
Design and enhance driver-based operating models
Perform detailed variance analysis and identify key performance drivers
Construct and manage short-term cash flow forecasting frameworks
Analyze working capital trends and cash conversion cycles
Develop covenant and debt capacity projections
Support cost structure optimization and margin improvement initiatives
Assist portfolio companies with financial infrastructure build-outs
Support 100-day planning initiatives and post-close performance tracking
Improve reporting packages, KPI dashboards, and board-level materials
Identify operational levers impacting EBITDA, cash flow, and valuation
Work directly with CFOs, Controllers, FP&A leaders, and private equity sponsors
Participate in executive working sessions and performance reviews
Prepare client-ready analyses and presentation materials
Manage workstreams across multiple concurrent engagements
4+ years of professional experience
Foundation in client services, preferably within Big 4 audit or advisory
Demonstrated FP&A experience within a private equity or portfolio company environment
Experience building and managing cash flow forecasts, budgeting models, and operating forecasts
Advanced Excel modeling capabilities (integrated 3-statement modeling required)
Strong PowerPoint and executive communication skills
Ability to synthesize complex financial information into clear, actionable insights
Experience in leveraged or sponsor-backed environments preferred
CPA or progress toward certification is strongly preferred; MBA or CFA candidacy is viewed favorably but not required.
Compensation and BenefitsBase salary range of $100,000–$150,000, with performance/metric-driven bonus opportunities.
Comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance.
401(k) plan with employer matching contributions.
Hybrid work environment with access to offices in Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York.
Unlimited paid time off and firm-recognized holidays.
Opportunities for career advancement within a merit-based, entrepreneurial culture.
Skills Required
- 4+ years of professional experience
- Foundation in client services
- Demonstrated FP&A experience within a private equity or portfolio company environment
- Experience building and managing cash flow forecasts, budgeting models, and operating forecasts
- Advanced Excel modeling capabilities (integrated 3-statement modeling required)
- Strong PowerPoint and executive communication skills
- Ability to synthesize complex financial information into clear, actionable insights
- Experience in leveraged or sponsor-backed environments
- Big 4 audit or advisory experience
- CPA or progress toward certification
- MBA or CFA candidacy
What We Do
Palm Tree is the modern M&A advisor. Our model is a hybrid of consulting, investment banking, and accounting, and we integrate with our clients to enable them to prepare for, respond to, and execute strategic events. Palm Tree navigates the time-sensitive, demanding, uncompromising rigors of M&A from the perspective of owners and investors. We provide comprehensive financial, transactional, and operational solutions to our private equity and corporate clients. This gives them the advantage of experience and expertise across the full continuum of transactions, transitions, and transformations. Our elite teams at Palm Tree are led by seasoned M&A professionals who have worked in private equity, investment banking, Big Four accounting, Elite Three consulting, and business operations. We provide a unique opportunity for high-performing Big Four & Elite Three individuals to break into the M&A industry and experience accelerated career growth. In addition, Palm Tree offers real-world experience internships and entry-level programs to undergraduate and graduate students and entry-level candidates. We pride ourselves on training well-rounded individuals to be prepared for a career in M&A. We provide our employees with proprietary training that leverages “best practices” from Palm Tree’s collective experience, training you on how to evaluate a business, improve a business and facilitate a transaction. We are presently hiring in the Los Angeles, Chicago, Detroit, and Dallas markets for all experience levels within each of Palm Tree’s service lines: financial due diligence, consulting, and investment banking. If you have an interest in developing a unique skill set for the world of M&A, drawing from our direct middle market experience, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at www.palmtreellc.com/contact. We’d love to hear from you!
