Renewal of 'M&A Tenshoku,' a Career Change Support Media Specializing in the M&A Industry | Also Disseminating Information on the 'SME M&A Advisor Exam' to be Established in FY2026, with Support from CEO Hayato Matsuoka

AdviserNavi Inc. (Headquarters: Chuo-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Yukihide Taira; hereinafter 'the Company') has renewed its media platform 'M&A Tenshoku' (URL: https://ma-job.com/) for those working in the M&A industry and those wishing to change careers to the M&A industry. On this platform, members with experience working in financial institutions will support career changes into the M&A industry. Our CEO, Hayato Matsuoka, will also directly respond to consultations from those wishing to change careers. Furthermore, we will be extensively disseminating information about the new public qualification 'SME M&A Qualification Exam (SME M&A Advisor Exam),' which will be newly launched by the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency starting in fiscal 2026. We have also created a new logo.

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Our Efforts So Far - Support for the Financial Industry

AdviserNavi Inc. has provided various forms of support to the financial industry through services such as the career change support service 'IFA Tenshoku' for financial advisors, the matching service 'Asset Management Navi' connecting IFA corporations and investors, and the IFA consulting business. In particular, we have conducted many career consultations, mainly for those wishing to change careers from banks and securities companies to the M&A industry, and have worked to help those from the financial industry build new careers in the M&A industry. The purpose of this media is to deliver the knowledge we have accumulated through these daily consultations—such as 'the reality of careers for those working in the M&A industry,' 'points to be careful about when choosing a new job,' and 'the characteristics of each M&A brokerage company'—to a wider audience of people aspiring to enter the M&A industry.

Significance of Strengthening Information Dissemination for Those Wishing to Change Careers to the M&A Industry

1. The Need for Specialized Career Change Information in the M&A Industry

Although the M&A industry has been expanding rapidly in recent years, there is a challenge in that public information is limited, making it difficult for those considering a career change to access 'information close to reality.' Business models, work styles, and compensation structures differ greatly between companies such as major M&A brokerage firms, boutique firms, investment banks, and the M&A departments of financial institutions. Therefore, when choosing a new job, information based on the characteristics of each company is essential. 'M&A Tenshoku' will disseminate highly specialized information for those wishing to change careers to the M&A industry, based on the information obtained from past career consultations.

2. Support System by Members from Financial Institutions

In a career change to the M&A industry, the strengths that are easily evaluated and the suitable new jobs differ greatly depending on the industry of origin, such as banks, securities companies, and accounting firms. Therefore, when choosing a new job, advice from people who have worked in the financial or M&A industry is essential. At 'M&A Tenshoku,' members who have actually worked at financial institutions will be in charge of career consultations for those wishing to change careers to the M&A industry. Our CEO, Hayato Matsuoka, after experiencing business succession and M&A work at Nomura Securities Co., Ltd., co-founded our company in 2019 and has responded to over 2,000 career consultations to date. By having Matsuoka himself in charge of supporting those who wish to change careers, we will deliver more specific and practical advice based on field experience.

3. Response to the Newly Established Public Qualification 'SME M&A Advisor Exam'

A new public qualification, the 'SME M&A Qualification Exam (commonly known as: SME M&A Advisor Exam),' led by the Small and Medium Enterprise Agency, is scheduled to start in fiscal 2026. This qualification is designed as a mechanism to objectively prove the knowledge, ethics, and ability to collaborate with experts of personnel involved in M&A support for small and medium-sized enterprises. It may have a significant impact on the future career development of those working in the M&A industry and those considering a career change to the M&A industry in the future. 'M&A Tenshoku' will continuously disseminate information on the system overview, exam scope, and latest trends regarding this qualification, and support the decision-making of those aiming for the M&A industry.

Industry Status

The M&A industry has seen significant market expansion in recent years. Against the backdrop of the worsening business succession problem for SMEs and a shortage of successors, the need for M&A brokerage is higher than ever, and the performance of major M&A brokerage companies such as Nihon M&A Center, M&A Capital Partners, and M&A Research Institute continues on an expansionary trend. In addition, the options for engaging in M&A work have diversified, including the M&A departments of banks and securities companies, PE funds, consulting firms, and boutique M&A advisory firms.

In response to this environment, the number of people considering a career change to the M&A industry continues to increase across a wide range of age groups, from young people in their 20s to mid-career professionals in their 30s and 40s. In particular, there is a growing need for those who have been engaged in corporate sales or business succession work at banks and securities companies to take on the challenge of more specialized M&A advisory work, and for those to enter the M&A industry without prior experience.