Associate, Strategic Finance

Associate - Strategic Finance Consulting

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 Position

The 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 Responsibilities

Financial Planning & Analysis

• Build 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

Liquidity & Performance Management

• 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

Value Creation & Transaction Support

• 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

Client Engagement

• 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

Qualifications

• 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 Benefits

• Base 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.