A career in corporate finance

Fancy a career in corporate finance? Analyst Sara Glückman tells us all about a typical day for her...

Tell us a little bit about yourself…

I started at Clearwater as an analyst in August 2024 after having just completed a bachelor's degree in Business & Economics at the Stockholm School of Economics, majoring in Accounting and Finance. During my last semester of my education, I did an exchange semester at Singapore Management University, a very educational and fun experience. In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my loved ones, working out and traveling.

What made you want to join Clearwater Sweden?

My first contact with Clearwater was at a career fair during my first year at university and even then I got the impression that the company had an open and strong corporate culture. It was an environment I immediately felt I would like to be a part of. In the fall of 2023, I had the opportunity to do an internship at Clearwater, where I enjoyed myself very much. When I look back on my time as an intern, I think above all how much I learned in a short time, thanks to the amazing support I received from my colleagues. What really drew me to Clearwater was the open and supportive culture, as well as the feeling that it is a place where I can continue to develop and grow.

What is your role and what does it involve?

In the role of analyst at Clearwater, I get the opportunity to work with a wide variety of tasks and projects. My focus is mainly on creating material and carrying out analysis in the daily project work. Duties can include everything from valuations to identifying potential buyers, as well as preparing marketing materials for our mandates. As an analyst, I get to work independently and take responsibility for my own tasks, but at the same time I always have the support of my more senior colleagues when needed. It's a balance between independence and collaboration, which I really appreciate. I also appreciate the diversified customer base that gives me exposure to several different industries.

What does a typical day look like for you?

Every day at Clearwater looks different, but by and large I spend most of my time at my desk working on developing materials for pitches or projects. In a pitch, this means, for example, making valuations, building an equity story or looking for potential buyers. In a mandate, it may be about producing an IM (marketing material) or building a financial data book that summarizes the company's finances. I really appreciate the variety in the work and the opportunity to develop in different areas.

What advice would you give to somebody wishing to have a career in corporate finance?

My advice to someone who wants a career in corporate finance is to be curious and willing to constantly learn new things. Having a strong foundation in financial analysis, as well as good knowledge of Excel and PowerPoint, is of course an advantage. But the most important thing is to have a desire to develop - you can always learn the technical skills with the right attitude. It is also important to have strong communication skills and to be able to work well in a team as the work constantly involves collaborating and working with other people.

What are some of the challenges when working in corporate finance?

While one of the most enjoyable parts of the job is the opportunity to work with companies and industries that are years apart in many ways, it can also be challenging. You need to be able to adapt quickly and learn the details of a new company and its industry, often in a fairly short time.

"We do a lot of fun social activities, like trips, training and AWs, which creates a strong community."

SARA Glückman

analyst

What do you enjoy most about working at Clearwater Sweden?

What I appreciate most about working at Clearwater is the open and supportive culture. I really enjoy my colleagues and feel that I can always turn to someone for help. Clearwater is truly a place where I get the opportunity to develop every day and take responsibility, which gives me the chance to grow in my career. In addition, we do a variety of fun social activities, such as travel, training and AWs, which creates a strong community. One of my most recent fun memories was when I ran the Stockholm half marathon together with some of my colleagues. The strong community makes it extra fun to be part of Clearwater.

"We do a lot of fun social activities, like trips, training and AWs, which creates a strong community."

SARA Glückman

analyst