Mergers and acquisitions analyst

About this occupation

Mergers and acquisitions analysts oversee the execution of transactions for the purchase, sale, merger or takeover of companies. They negotiate and complete the deal on the client's behalf, by working closely with lawyers and accountants. Mergers and acquisitions analysts conduct operational and legal risk assessments of a company, assess comparable companies in the market and help with the post-merger integration.

A specialisation of financial analyst.

• Apply mathematical or statistical techniques to address practical issues in finance, such as derivative valuation, securities trading, risk management, or financial market regulation.
• Research or develop analytical tools to address issues such as portfolio construction or optimization, performance measurement, attribution, profit and loss measurement, or pricing models.
• Interpret results of financial analysis procedures.
• Develop core analytical capabilities or model libraries, using advanced statistical, quantitative, or econometric techniques.
• Define or recommend model specifications or data collection methods.
• Produce written summary reports of financial research results.

Typical education (US)

Master's Degree

Preparation

Job Zone 5 of 5

Interests

Investigative, Conventional, Enterprising

Top skills: Mathematics, Critical Thinking, Reading Comprehension, Complex Problem Solving, Active Listening, Speaking

US median pay: US$81,100 a year (2025), 132,130 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.

Subjects this work relies on

How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).

• Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsExtremely important (4.6)
• Economics or AccountingO*NET: Economics and AccountingVery important (4.2)
• Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsVery important (3.7)
• English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageImportant (3.0)

O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.

Preparation needed

Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed

Most common education (US)

Master's Degree

Education

Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).

Experience

Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.

Training

Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.

O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.