Looking for Advice: Final Round Case Interview (In-House M&A Role)

Question

Hi everyone,

I’ve made it to the final round for an in-house M&A Associate role at a large corporation. The interview will be 1.5-2 hours, and I’ve been told it will include a case study, though they haven’t shared what the case will cover.

For those of you who’ve been through similar corporate development or in-house M&A interviews, I’d love your thoughts on:

What kind of case format did you receive?
Was it quant-heavy, or more focused on qualitative reasoning and business judgment?
Did you have to present your thinking, or was it a more conversational case?
Any tips for framing a recommendation when you don’t have access to full financial models?
Anything you wish you’d done differently to prepare?

Thanks in advance - any insights would be hugely appreciated!

Answer 1

Hi! Congrats on reaching the final round. That’s already a great achievement.

From what I’ve heard, in-house M&A cases often lean more on qualitative reasoning and business judgment than heavy quantitative modeling, especially since you might not get full financial data. Expect to analyze strategic fit, synergies, and potential risks.

The format can be a mix of conversational and presentation-style, you’ll likely need to clearly explain your thought process and recommendations.

My tip would be to practice structuring your analysis clearly and be ready to justify assumptions logically. If you don’t have all numbers, focus on the key drivers and show awareness of what additional info you’d need.

Wishing you good luck!
Rita

Answer 2

Hi there,

first off, congrats on getting to that stage!

In my experience those kinds of interviews can differ quite a bit depending on the company and even on who’s running the session. I’ve seen some that felt more like a conversation, others that were a bit more structured, and the level of detail really varies.

I wouldn’t worry too much about having the “perfect” preparation – usually they’re more interested in seeing how you think and approach a topic rather than a specific type of answer.

Every process is a bit unique, so just go in with a clear mind and be ready to adapt.

Wishing you all the best for the interview!

Nathalie