2026–27 Corporate Development & Group Corporate Finance Remuneration Study

Hello, and thank you for taking the time to participate in Numbers Executive’s 2026–27 Corporate Development & Group Corporate Finance Remuneration and Sentiment Study.

This study updates our 2023 report, which was widely used by professionals and employers across the market as a benchmark for these specialist roles. You can see the 2023 results here.

Numbers Executive is conducting a confidential, Australia-wide survey of professionals working in Group M&A, Corporate Development and Group Corporate Finance. These small, specialist teams require a rare blend of skills spanning corporate finance, accounting, commercial, strategy and project management, yet they are often overlooked in salary benchmarking.

Our aim is to provide an accurate, up-to-date snapshot of these roles, including remuneration, market sentiment, career drivers and team structures.

Frequently asked questions

Q. Why do I need to provide personal information?

A. We collect personal information to confirm that participants work in the relevant field and in Australia, and to send you the report once it is complete. No individual or company will be identifiable in any published results.

Q. Should I complete this as an individual or on behalf of my company?

A. Please complete the survey as an individual, based on your current role, level and responsibilities.

Q. Who should complete this survey?

A. Professionals currently working in Australia within a corporate organisation who support M&A, Corporate Development or Group Corporate Finance activities.

Q. Who should not complete this survey?

A. This survey is NOT intended for professionals working in investment banking or advisory, investment management, or Group Finance or Financial Accounting roles.

Q. Can I see the previous report?

A. Yes. See the 2023 results here, where you can also request the full report. More of our research is on our Resources page.

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This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Are you currently working and residing in Australia?*

Thank you for your interest in completing this salary survey, please note at this stage we are only collecting data for the Australian market

To ensure the accuracy of all data included in this study, we ask you to verify your details below. This also allows us to send you a free copy of the final remuneration study report. Please provide your name, email address and best contact number.

Your details will be kept strictly confidential. No personal names or company names will be included in any published data.

About you

We use these details to verify responses and to send you the final report. Names and companies are never published.

Name*

First Last

Email*

Mobile number*

Australian mobile, starting with 04.

State or territory*

Where you are based.

Your role

Your level, experience and how your time is split.

Please provide your current position title*

Which of the following best matches your current title*

Select the level that most closely reflects your current role, regardless of your exact position title. Years of relevant experience are captured separately.

How many years of total professional experience do you have?*

Include experience across all professional roles, not only corporate finance or corporate development. Please round to the nearest whole year.

How many years of relevant corporate finance, M&A or corporate development experience do you have?*

Include relevant experience gained in corporate development, group corporate finance, investment banking, M&A advisory or transaction services. Please round to the nearest whole year.

What was your primary background prior to working in corporate development?*

If you have worked across several areas, select the one that best reflects your main experience.

Who do you primarily report to in your current role?*

Select the role that most closely reflects your formal day to day reporting line.

Who do you report to?

How many people report directly to you?*

Enter 0 if you have no formal direct reports. Exclude dotted line reports and temporary project team members.

Please indicate what percentage of your time is spent on each of the following 6 categories (this must total 100):

1. Inorganic Growth / M&A*

2. Organic Growth / Business Investment*

3. Strategic & Business Planning*

4. Valuation & Financial Modelling*

5. Treasury & Capital Planning*

6. Investor Reporting / Investor Relations / Board Reporting*

Total*

Above fields must add up to 100

Over the past 24 months, which best describes your typical level of responsibility on live M&A or other corporate transactions?*

Select the option that best reflects your usual level of personal responsibility, rather than simply having exposure to a transaction. Transactions may include acquisitions, divestments, joint ventures, strategic investments or material capital raisings.

Your team and employer

The size and shape of your team and organisation.

What is the current headcount within your corporate finance (or Corp. Development) team?*

What is the estimated headcount of your organisation?*

Which of the following best describes your employer's sector?*

Please specify your sector

What is the ownership structure of your current employer?*

Please specify the ownership structure

Work and sentiment

How you work, what matters to you and your view of the market.

What is your employer's current policy on workplace flexibility?*

In a typical week over the last 12 months, approximately how many hours do you work, including time working from home and evenings/weekends?*

What are the top 3 conditions that most impact your job satisfaction?*

Select exactly 3.

Other*

What are the top 3 reasons that would lead you to make a career change?*

Select exactly 3.

Other*

What is your sentiment regarding business conditions over the next 12 months?*

Pay and incentives

Confidential. Reported only in aggregate, never individually.

What is your current annual fixed remuneration, including employer superannuation? (Please annualise if part time)*

Please enter a number from 70000 to 650000.

Please enter a whole number between 70,000 and 650,000. Annualise if part time.

Please enter your most recent annual short term incentive as a percentage of base salary*

Please select a percentage value. If you have not completed a bonus cycle, please provide an estimate. Include any transaction-specific bonuses where applicable.

What proportion of your short term incentive is paid in cash upfront?*

Include deferred cash and deferred equity in the non-upfront portion.

If applicable, please enter your long term incentives (% of base salary).*

Please use the face value at grant as a % of base salary. You can use an average of prior year LTIs if these are lumpy or inconsistent. Estimate if you have not completed a bonus cycle.

What form does your long term incentive take? (Select all that apply)*

Performance rights / share rights

Options

Deferred or long term cash plan

Management equity / sweet equity (PE-backed or private)

Carried interest or co-investment

Other (please specify)

Other*

2026–27 Corporate Development & Group Corporate Finance Remuneration Study

Hello, and thank you for taking the time to participate in Numbers Executive’s 2026–27 Corporate Development & Group Corporate Finance Remuneration and Sentiment Study.

Thank you for your interest in completing this salary survey, please note at this stage we are only collecting data for the Australian market

To ensure the accuracy of all data included in this study, we ask you to verify your details below. This also allows us to send you a free copy of the final remuneration study report. Please provide your name, email address and best contact number.

About you

Your role

Your team and employer

Work and sentiment

Pay and incentives

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