Matthew Reed

Associate Director, RedRidge Diligence Services

40 Under 40 Category: External Field Examination

Biography:

Matt Reed has transactional due diligence experience with both private and public companies reporting under domestic and international accounting standards. Since joining RedRidge, Matt has performed M&A and lender due diligence for strategic partners operating in the middle market throughout North America, as well as Australia and Europe with deal sizes ranging from $1 million to $1 billion. 

Matt has led deal teams on a variety of acquisition and debt structures while focusing on providing clients with valuable information in an efficient manner. He is currently leading the first international office for RedRidge based in London.

Prior to joining RedRidge, Matt worked in the Assurance practice at PwC. During this time, he performed numerous yearly financial statement audits across a variety of industries.

Matt holds a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, College of Business. He is a Certified Public Accountant licensed in Illinois.

How do you think the commercial finance industry can attract more young professionals?

The industry should enhance its presence in the early stages of career searches as well as be able to adapt to and promote the flexibility that young professionals come to expect. I think commercial finance still has the stereotype of being old fashioned, but more proactive education through participation in career fairs and recruiting events will help change this perception. Further, universities should offer undergraduate courses specific to ABL and leveraged finance in order to expose students to more specific areas within finance.

In order to compete with Silicon Valley for the next generation of young talent, it’s important to offer the same opportunities that appeal to the young professional audience. We’ve all heard the importance of work/life balance, but the work/life blend is becoming more of a reality, in which the separation between the two is less defined. Equipping young professionals with the appropriate technology, environment, and mentorship is necessary in order to achieve an effective blend in which they can thrive.

People like to surround themselves with like-minded individuals and feel part of a community, but I think this is an even higher priority for younger professionals. At RedRidge, we’re fortunate to have a large group of young professionals, which helps to foster a sense of camaraderie amongst the group, favorably impacting the larger company culture.

What advice do you normally give to the junior talent you mentor?

Find the intersection of what you like to do and what you do well. I think people always look for ways to differentiate themselves, but it’s even more important in the early stages of a career.  While it is critical for employers to provide challenging opportunities to keep junior talent engaged, young professionals should also feel empowered to take ownership for their career. Consistently evaluating and acting on this relationship is important to developing a successful and enjoyable career path.

When interviewing junior talent, what do you say to pique their interest on why they should accept a position in this industry?

From the variety of credit structures to the numerous industry sectors of borrowers, each transaction truly offers a unique challenge and potential for learning. Therefore, the opportunity to identify problems and apply strong problem-solving skills is endless in this industry. It’s also important to highlight the potential to grow and contribute within the various aspects of the commercial finance industry. While there are varying roles within one institution, the industry as a whole offers a wide range of roles, all of which are critical to the effective execution of a transaction.