Why become a Value Creation Intern at Grant Thornton | Stax Transactions?
Grant Thornton | Stax Transactions helps private equity investors, growth-focused companies, and corporates identify and execute opportunities to improve business performance and across the full deal lifecycle — from diligence and sign-to-close, through integration or carve-out, hold-period value creation, and exit As a Value Creation Intern, you will support high-impact engagements focused on revenue growth, EBITDA expansion, commercial excellence, pricing, go-to-market strategy, performance improvement, operational improvement and integration and separations.
Recognized as a top workplace, Grant Thornton | Stax Transactions has been named to the 2025 Vault Consulting 50 Best Firms, Management Consulted’s Top Ranked Consulting Firms 2025, and Consulting Magazine’s 2025 Best Firms to Work For.
As a member of the Value Creation team, you will gain exposure to strategy consulting, private equity portfolio companies, financial and operational analysis, market research, and client deliverable development. You will work alongside experienced Stax commercial strategy professionals and Grant Thornton specialists across operations and human capital to analyze business performance, size growth and cost opportunities, and support recommendations that create measurable value for clients.
Through hands-on experience, mentorship, and team-based client work, you will develop foundational consulting skills, including structured problem solving, financial analysis, research, communication, and presentation development. Interested candidates should demonstrate intellectual curiosity, analytical thinking, attention to detail, and an interest in strategy consulting, private equity, business operations, and value creation.
Your day-to-day may include:
- Supporting client engagement teams with research, analysis, and deliverable preparation.
- Working on a variety of client engagements that may vary by industry, business model, growth opportunity, and strategic priority.
- Supporting operational due diligence, cost optimization, synergy assessment, and integration and carve-out engagements.
- Assisting integration, separation, and carve-out workstreams.
- Conducting market, industry, competitor, customer, and company research to inform strategic recommendations.
- Supporting primary and secondary research efforts, which may include web research, survey analysis, and interview note synthesis.
- Assisting with data collection, organization, and analysis related to revenue growth, pricing, sales effectiveness, operational improvement, and go-to-market strategy.
- Supporting cost baseline, spend, and headcount analyses used in operational due diligence, cost improvement, and standalone cost assessments.
- Using data visualization and AI-enabled research tools to accelerate research, analysis, and synthesis.
- Assisting the development of financial models, spreadsheets, charts, and client-ready analyses.
- Assisting with the development of PowerPoint presentations and other client deliverables.
- Participating in team meetings, internal discussions, and client workstreams as appropriate.
- Shadowing client working sessions and management interviews and capturing notes and follow-ups for the team.
- Learning consulting methodologies, value creation frameworks, and tools used by Grant Thornton | Stax Transactions professionals.
- Receiving hands-on mentoring, coaching, and professional development opportunities.
- Building foundational consulting, communication, project management, and analytical skills.
You have the following technical skills or qualifications:
- Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Business, Economics, Finance, Accounting, Data Analytics, Strategy, Marketing, Management, or a related field preferred.
- Minimum overall GPA of 3.0/4.0.
- Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without the need for employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future. No visa sponsorship is available for this position.
- Interest in strategy consulting, private equity, value creation, commercial excellence, pricing, growth strategy, financial analysis, M&A and transaction support, and operational improvement.
- Strong structured problem-solving and analytical capabilities.
- Ability to conduct research, synthesize findings, and translate analysis into clear insights.
- Foundational financial modeling and Excel skills, with interest in developing the ability to quantify revenue, EBITDA, and operational impact.
- Strong PowerPoint skills and ability to support the development of client-ready presentations.
- Familiarity with data visualization tools and comfort using AI-enabled tools to accelerate research and analysis.
- Excellent analytical, written and verbal communication, and interpersonal skills.
- Detail-oriented and organized, with the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively in a fast-paced, team-based environment.
- High initiative, intellectual curiosity, and a collaborative mindset that welcomes different perspectives and continuous learning.
The pay rate for this position in the firm’s Chicago, Illinois office is $37.00 per hour.
In the U.S., Grant Thornton delivers professional services through two specialized entities: Grant Thornton LLP, a licensed, certified public accounting (CPA) firm that provides audit and assurance services ― and Grant Thornton Advisors LLC (not a licensed CPA firm), which exclusively provides non-attest offerings, including tax and advisory services.
In 2025, Grant Thornton formed a multinational, multidisciplinary platform with Grant Thornton Ireland. The platform offers a premier Trans-Atlantic advisory and tax practice, as well as independent American and Irish audit practices. With $2.7 billion in revenues and more than 50 offices spanning the U.S., Ireland and other territories, the platform delivers a singular client experience that includes enhanced solutions and capabilities, backed by powerful technologies and a roster of 12,000 quality-driven professionals enjoying exceptional career-growth opportunities and a distinctive cross-border culture.
Grant Thornton is part of the Grant Thornton International Limited network, which provides access to its member firms in more than 150 global markets. About the TeamThe team you’re about to join is ready to help you thrive. Here’s how:
- Benefits for internship positions: Grant Thornton interns are eligible to participate in the firm’s medical, dental and vision insurance programs and the firm’s employee assistance program. Interns also receive a minimum of 72 hours of paid sick leave, and are paid for firm holidays that fall within their internship period.
- Benefits for seasonal employee positions: Grant Thornton seasonal employees are eligible to participate in the firm’s medical, dental and vision insurance programs and the firm’s employee assistance program. Seasonal employees may also be eligible to participate in the firm’s 401(k) savings plan and employee retirement plan in accordance with applicable plan terms and eligibility requirements. Seasonal employees receive a minimum of 72 hours of paid sick leave.
Skills Required
- Pursuing a bachelor's degree in Business, Economics, Finance, Accounting, Data Analytics, Strategy, Marketing, Management, or a related field
- Minimum overall GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0
- Authorized to work in the United States without employment-based visa sponsorship now or in the future
- Interest in strategy consulting, private equity, value creation, commercial excellence, pricing, growth strategy, financial analysis, M&A, transaction support, and operational improvement
- Strong structured problem-solving and analytical capabilities
- Ability to conduct research, synthesize findings, and translate analysis into clear insights
- Foundational financial modeling and Excel skills
- Strong PowerPoint skills and ability to develop client-ready presentations
- Familiarity with data visualization tools and AI-enabled research tools
- Excellent analytical, written, verbal communication, and interpersonal skills
- Detail-oriented and organized, with ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, team-based environment
- High initiative, intellectual curiosity, collaborative mindset, and willingness to learn
What We Do
Forget what you think you know about professional services. We go beyond what’s expected and help others do the same. Grant Thornton is the U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd, one of the world’s leading independent audit, tax and advisory firms. That means our network has more than 60,000 professionals in more than 135 countries who are ready to help public and private organizations of all sizes take on today’s challenges. But what sets us apart isn’t just what we do – it’s how we do it. Here, we believe in making business more personal and building trust into every result. We’re collaborators – obsessed with quality and ready for anything – who understand the value of strong relationships. It’s how we challenge the expectations of business and empower our people and clients to do it, too. One thing we won’t do? Grant Thornton LLP will never request money or any form of payment for services via social media. Please report any concerns at 1-800-810-3503. "Grant Thornton” refers to Grant Thornton LLP, the U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd (GTIL). GTIL and the member firms are not a worldwide partnership. Services are delivered by the member firms. GTIL and its member firms are not agents of, and do not obligate, one another and are not liable for one another’s acts or omissions. Please see grantthornton.com for further details.
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