How would hours, pay, work environment, career potential change if I move from International Tax to M&A Tax?

I am considering the move but want to make sure I actually know what I’m signing up for — I’m hoping for higher comp (10-15%?), less repetitive work and exposure to the M&A lifecycle (more big picture) and potential to lateralize to M&A/strategy consulting.

[B4, Senior 1, HCOL but not NYC/SF, w CPA]

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This is a good move. Very complimentary skill sets. Lots of M&A stuff requires international knowledge.

likesmart

I made the move from international to m&a. I love the change. I have used a lot of my international skill set but have not had to deep dive into the nitty gritty. Happy to talk more about my transition, DM me.

likehelpful

Hi am about to make the same move as a senior associate. Can you share some experience on what to expect and key tax skills to come onboard with? Appreciate your insights

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The salary is good. Lots of interesting issues and “big picture” exposure. One big difference is that your schedule will be less predictable. There are times when you are sitting at your desk (or home, these days) doing nothing but waiting for the client to give you the green light to proceed. And then there are times at Friday 5pm as you are getting ready to leave the office where a new deal comes in.

Overall, I think we work fewer hours, on balance, than those in compliance (especially as compared to busy season hours), but it comes with less predictability. Which is a problem for some.

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At EY ITTS includes both international tax and M&A transaction tax group. You should check it out.

Yes, I’m in the group. Depends on what you are comparing it to in terms of comp bump, less repetitive, etc. Every group has its mundane tasks. The TT group does due diligence (can be boring) and has tight deadlines (like a Client squeezing an acquisition in before Dec 31). Pay is better overall in ITTS and the M&A group gets paid a little more I’ve heard. And it’s a tax consulting group.

likehelpful

How are you planning on pulling a switch from m&a tax to strategy consulting? That sounds pretty much impossible imo. Once you are in tax...you’re in tax

Yikes. I’m a second a year associate in tax and want to get out

SD1 and EY1 thank you both! I know this is going to be a tax technical role and I have no problem with that, but does M&A tax get you exposed to the big picture and the “why” (i.e. the strategic/operational/financial motivators and outcome of a deal) at all? Do you get to work with or network with professionals from other groups? Thanks!

I’m in the M&A group at EY and am happy to discuss via DM if you’d like more specifics. We’re also desperate for talent, so this would be a great opportunity for you to make the switch if you decide to pursue this path.

@tc that used to be the case, but now both TT and ITTS are under the same umbrella (I think it’s a “JV” between SAT and Tax).

@EY2, it’s still largely the same, though we have gravitated a bit towards ITS. We go to their town halls now instead of SAT’s. More central planning (re: opportunities, plan, resources etc.), a limited version of sharing staff, and some ITS partners are “certified” to do dealwork and are trying their hand at it.

International Tax is pretty great spot to be in isn’t it? At least compared to what I do - was considering switching into ITS myself. Out of curiosity, why do you want to make the switch over to M&A if I may ask?

I’m hoping for less nitty gritty and more consulting and quite frankly a salary bump

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Do an MBA if you want to switch to SaT

Stop suggesting an MBA. Again, terrible advice.

likesmart

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