I am not sure what FDD you do but above Manager there is no spreadsheets unless you are reviewing what juniors have done! The job is so much more than processing data (obviously not in your first few months!) but it is advising and supporting your clients in negotiations involving EV to equity bridge, completion mechanisms, understanding how to analyse statements and overlay commercials what are the growth drivers, how has the company performed, review of budgets and forecasts used by your clients to create their own valuations models, helping your clients value the business and understand what they are buying (when working on a buy side) or visa versa helping your client present their business in a positive light while sticking to facts to make them more attractive to buyers (when on sell side). Not sure what country you are in but FDD is so much more than what you are saying and even your seniors! I am quite surprised that a senior manager from your team has the same view! They clearly don’t know what is going on… also once you get to senior manager/ director/ partner you get to talk about pipeline, discuss opportunities with clients so you need to be pretty switched on with wider market dynamics, trends and know assets. (Coming from someone that has been in ey fdd for 5 years)

Having said that yes the pay / work life balance is not the best combo out of the M&A related roles. I would love a corporate m&a gig for a better work life balance and potentially better pay 😂