Each type of due diligence job typically concerns itself with the investigation of a corporation. By definition, due diligence is the act of assuring a prospective buyer or investor that the company is solid, has adequate funding, and has a loyal customer base. Finance, law, and engineering are all areas that offer due diligence jobs.
When a company's chief executive officer (CEO) wants to either merge with or purchase another company, he or she usually hires a legal team that specializes in due diligence matters. Additionally, each company is likely to employ a due diligence team comprised of investigators that reviews the targeted company's financial records, employees, history, legal status, and other categories as needed. Investigators will typically examine bank records, domestic and foreign business holdings, assets, liabilities, and solidarity of the company that is being investigated.
Another branch of due diligence jobs is the due diligence analyst. An analyst may be either the one doing the investigating, or he or she may receive and analyze the information provided by an investigator. Sometimes, a company has a pre-approved checklist for the investigator and the analyst to help in their assessment of a prospective merger company. This assessment list usually includes areas like trustworthiness of employees, if the company's standing is on record with the state in which the company is located, and if there have been any difficult periods for the company. The analyst usually reviews this information and forms an overall snapshot of the company that is then presented to the CEO.
A due diligence lawyer is another branch of due diligence jobs. This typically is the person who is responsible for knowing corporate law and the due diligence process. He or she usually ensures that all legalities are covered and all paperwork is submitted to the correct governmental bureaus.
To find work in the due diligence field, a person could find employment with a finance company as an analyst with only experience in real estate and low-income housing taxes. The majority of companies, however, require at least a bachelor's degree in Business Management for all due diligence jobs. Other degrees that could qualify include Marketing, Finance, and Accounting. Some agencies require their due diligence analysts to be certified public accountants (CPA).