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Supports strategy consulting engagements for private equity and growth-focused clients, including revenue growth, pricing, commercial excellence, operational improvement, due diligence, integrations, and separations. Responsibilities include market and financial research, data analysis, financial modeling, client-ready presentations, workstream coordination, and developing actionable recommendations. The role provides mentorship and hands-on exposure to value creation, performance improvement, and transaction support.
Why become a Value Creation Associate at Grant Thornton | Stax Transactions?
Grant Thornton | Stax Transactions helps private equity and growth-focused companies identify and execute opportunities to improve business performance. As a Value Creation Associate, 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 assist clients by applying structured problem-solving, research, data analysis, financial modeling, and strategic thinking to a variety of client engagements. Our professionals work with private equity sponsors and portfolio company leaders to help identify growth opportunities, improve commercial and operational performance, quantify financial and synergy impact across the deal lifecycle and support actionable implementation plans.
You will gain exposure to client-facing strategy consulting work while developing core consulting skills in market research, business analysis, financial modeling, presentation development, and project execution. Through hands-on experience and mentorship, you will build the analytical, communication, and critical-thinking skills needed to help solve complex business problems and support measurable client outcomes.
Your day-to-day may include:
- Supporting client engagements focused on revenue growth, pricing optimization, sales effectiveness, commercial strategy, go-to-market strategy, and operational performance improvement.
- Supporting operational due diligence, cost optimization, synergy assessment, and integration and carve-out engagements.
- For integration and separations, supporting day-to-day mechanics of a workstream — building and maintaining Excel schedules, tracking data requests, source-checking analyses, and quality-controlling deliverables before partner review.
- Gathering, organizing, and analyzing financial, operational, customer, market, and sales-related data.
- Supporting primary research efforts, including interview preparation, phone interview synthesis, survey analysis, and web-based research.
- Using data visualization and AI-enabled analysis tools to accelerate research, synthesize large datasets, and sharpen client insights.
- Assisting in the development of financial models and analyses to estimate revenue, EBITDA, and operational impact.
- Supporting the development of client-ready presentations, workpapers, analyses, and deliverables.
- Assisting with the development of actionable recommendations, implementation plans, and performance improvement roadmaps.
- Attending client working sessions and interviews, capturing notes and synthesizing takeaways for the team.
- Learning Grant Thornton | Stax Transactions methodologies, tools, and approaches for value creation and strategy consulting.
- Developing project management, communication, analytical, and leadership skills through client service experiences.
- Receiving hands-on mentoring, career coaching, and professional development opportunities.
You have the following technical skills or qualifications:
- 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 base salary for this position in the firm’s Chicago, Illinois office is $105,000 per year.
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:
• Whether it's your work location, weekly schedule, or flex time off, we empower you with the options to work the way that it best serves your clients and your life. Consistent with the firm's hybrid work model, this position will require in-person attendance at least three days per week, either at a GT office or client site.
• Here, you are supported to prioritize your overall well-being through work-life integration options that work best for you and those in your household.
• We understand that your needs, responsibilities and experiences are different — and we think that’s a good thing. That’s why we support you with personalized and comprehensive benefits that recognize and empower all the identities, roles and aspirations that make you, well, you. See how at www.gt.com/careers
• When it comes to inclusion, we are committed to doing more than checking boxes. Explore all the ways we’re taking action for diversity, equity & inclusion at www.gt.com/careers
Here’s what you can expect next:
If you apply and are selected to interview, a Grant Thornton team member will reach out to you to schedule a time to connect. We encourage you to also check out other roles that may be a good fit for you or get to know us a little bit better at www.gt.com/careers.
Benefits:
We understand that your needs, responsibilities and experiences are different, and we think that’s a good thing. That’s why we support you with personalized and comprehensive benefits that recognize and empower all the identities, roles and aspirations that make you, well, you. For an overview of our benefit offerings, please visit: https://www.grantthornton.com/careers/rewards-and-benefits
- 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.
Grant Thornton employees may be eligible for a discretionary, annual bonus based on individual and firm performance, subject to the terms, conditions and eligibility criteria of the applicable bonus plan or program. Interns and seasonal employees are not eligible for bonus compensation.
Additional Details:
It is the policy of Grant Thornton to promote equal employment opportunities. All personnel decisions (including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, training, working conditions, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, evaluations, and termination) are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital or civil union status, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, citizenship status, veteran status, disability, handicap, genetic predisposition or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and applicable state and local laws, it is the policy of Grant Thornton LLP to provide reasonable accommodation when requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability, unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process. To make an accommodation request, please contact [email protected].
For Los Angeles Applicants only: We will consider for employment all qualified Applicants, including those with Criminal Histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance.
For Massachusetts Applicants only: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Gran Thornton does not require or administer lie detector tests as a condition of employments or continued employment.
Grant Thornton LLP (US) Chicago, Illinois, USA Office
171 N. Clark Street, Suite 200, Chicago, IL, United States, 60601
Grant Thornton LLP (US) Downers Grove, Illinois, USA Office
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