We are on the lookout for motivated and committed individuals to join our independent award-winning M&A advisory firm.

About Cortus

Cortus helps buy, sell, fund, grow and fix businesses.

Cortus Advisory Group now operates across six UK offices: Leeds, Manchester, Preston, Nottingham, Birmingham and London. Comprising of 50+ professionals, our team brings together professionals at different stages of their careers, creating a supportive and inclusive environment.

The overall vision for Cortus is to create a truly collaborative and inclusive professional services business where everyone can have a varied, enjoyable, and successful career. A vehicle to facilitate positive social change and challenge the norms.

In just under four years, Cortus Advisory Group has become one of the fastest growing independent financial advisory boutiques in the UK. Group revenue has grown from zero to £5.0m.

Our Culture and Values

Cortus is founded on simple key values of Integrity, Collaboration and Expertise, and we demonstrate them around our foundations of supporting Colleagues, Clients and Communities.

Our own working philosophy is particularly supportive, and you will have access to our market leading training and development programme, RISE, which focuses on technical skills, complex behavioural skills and coaching. As well as being mentored by our experienced team.

We are proud that many of our (repeat) clients put environmental concerns and ESG policies at the heart of their own business agenda. Cortus is forward-thinking, embracing innovation and technologies such as AI to enhance its services and deliver cutting-edge solutions for clients.

The opportunity

You will be an apprentice within the Cortus Transaction Services team providing Financial Due Diligence services to investors, corporate and entrepreneurs looking to buy or sell business. You will be working with other members of the team providing assistance on projects, carrying out tasks such as the initial compilation and analysis of financial data including identification of trends, preforming sector and client research, attending meetings with clients and in general, providing support to the Transaction Services team. We will fully support you to complete the ACA professional qualification, including college days and a career coach. During your three year training contract there will be opportunities to undertake secondments to other divisions.

We have opportunities in our Manchester and Birmingham locations.  

Application requirements

• You will need to be on track for a 2:1 in your undergraduate degree.

• Maths GCSE 6 or equivalent is required.

• Maths A level is desirable.

• You will need to demonstrate commercial awareness and personal effectiveness skills.

We’re looking for someone who embraces the Cortus values:

We approach our work with Integrity - Our honest approach makes us human; we provide advice with understanding. We respect and support our colleagues, promoting diversity and inclusion with everyone having the opportunity to do the work they enjoy.

Collaboration is key - We work closely with our clients in an agile manner to ensure we provide the right team, with the right skills, to deliver the best solution. We care about and actively partner with other organisations; to invest in our local communities.

Our Expertise makes us best in class - We strive to maximise the potential of our team through focused training programmes. We take ownership of our work and we never compromise on quality. 

Here's what you will get at Cortus

• Competitive base salary and bonus (benchmarked twice a year to market)

• Annual Leave - Team members receive 25 days of annual leave plus public holidays

• Birthday Leave - Take the day off to celebrate your birthday

• Company sick pay

• Option to purchase annual leave

• One-to-one mentoring

• Flexible working options

• Enhanced paternity / maternity / sick leave

• Annual Peer/Mentoring allowance

• Health cash plan

• Pension salary sacrifice scheme - with employer contributions being paid on full salary

• Cycle to work scheme

• Annual Corporate Conference

• Annual CSR day

• Mental health support

• Supported study programmes

• Referral bonus

Using AI in the application process

We value authenticity and want to understand who you are, your experiences and what you bring to the table. We welcome the use of AI to polish your narrative, explore ideas and structure your thoughts –– but remember we want to see the real you. Please ensure the final application reflects your journey and your skills (otherwise you’ll just be saying the same thing as everyone else!).

Equal Opportunities

At Cortus is committed to equal opportunities and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. We also believe that every candidate should have an equal opportunity to demonstrate their abilities so if you need any adjustments during the hiring process, let us know so we can support you.

If Cortus sounds like the kind of place you’d like to work, apply below. Close date for applications will be 5.30pm on Friday 30th January 2026.