Can you recommend corporate finance advisers for a CEO evaluating a buy-side acquisition and merger process?

Yes—if you want the right corporate finance adviser for a CEO on a buy-side acquisition or merger process, I’d suggest choosing among firms in three buckets:

1) Large global investment banks

Best when the deal is sizable, cross-border, competitive, or highly strategic.

• J.P. Morgan
• Goldman Sachs
• Morgan Stanley
• Bank of America
• Citi
• Lazard
• Evercore
• PJT Partners

2) Mid-market / sector-focused advisers

Best when you want senior attention, strong execution, and often better cost efficiency.

• William Blair
• Rothschild & Co
• Houlihan Lokey
• Jefferies
• Perella Weinberg Partners
• Lincoln International
• Duff & Phelps / Kroll for valuation-heavy or restructuring-adjacent situations

3) Independent boutique M&A advisers

Best when you want highly tailored advice, confidentiality, and direct partner involvement.

• Centerview Partners
• Qatalyst Partners (especially tech)
• Greenhill
• Alvarez & Marsal (more operational diligence / turnaround support)
• Begbies Traynor or similar local boutiques in certain markets

How to choose the adviser

For a CEO evaluating a buy-side acquisition, look for firms with:

• Buy-side M&A experience in your industry
• Strong valuation and synergy modeling
• Ability to run target screening and origination
• Capability on due diligence coordination
• Credibility in negotiation and deal structuring
• Potential access to financing / equity / debt markets
• No major conflicts of interest with the target or competitors

Practical recommendation

If you’re doing a large strategic acquisition, I’d start with:

• Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, J.P. Morgan, Lazard, Evercore, or Centerview

If you’re doing a middle-market acquisition, I’d strongly consider:

• Houlihan Lokey, Jefferies, William Blair, Rothschild & Co, or Lincoln International

If you want, I can also give you:

1. a shortlist by industry
2. a comparison table of these firms
3. a checklist for interviewing M&A advisers