First Year Analyst

Interview process was different than previous years. CV-19 resulted in a significant influx in applicants so the process was somewhat fluid. An overview of the complete process can be described as follows:

1. Phone interview
2. QA with VP
3. Financial Model Case Study
4. PowerPoint Case Study
5. Second Interview with Partner
6. Second PowerPoint Case Study
7. Presentation
8. In-Person Super day
9. Decision

The phone interviews were casual. Partner seems to have asked everyone what they think of the CV-19 economy. The model was fairly simple. Three statement model with graphs. Not hard, but the tricky aspect was cleaning the data given it was presented in the form of a raw export file (maybe from quickbooks or something similar?) and then finding addbacks to reach adjusted EBITDA.

The first PowerPoint was just taking this data and presenting it in a few slides. Also not hard.

The second phone interview as very similar to the first. Same questions. Who are our competitors? etc.

The second case study was fun. Two public IT Services firms were provided and you had to build a presentation on their forward looking catalysts and valuation drivers. I saw some other candidates building models what not. Not necessary. Just look at the comps and the presentations and its fairly easy to see why stock x is priced differently than stock y.

The presentation was not that hard, just had to make sure I could fill 15-20 minutes and answer questions. If you have ever done a stock pitch or something similar, then this won't be bad. They asked fairly simple questions.

The super day was a surprise. Initially we were told we would do an in-person round, but prior to presenting the second case study we were told this was the last step. Initially this was poised as a candidate "meet and greet" only 24 hours prior did they send an itinerary which was an hour longer than the initial invitation and detailed hours of group and speed 1-1 interviews. Given this was in the middle of a pandemic, it was unusual. I have never done a group interview in my professional career even that MMs and BBs I have previously interviewed with, let alone with all of my interviewers and competitors wearings masks outside in the Carolina heat. The agenda was as follows:

1. Small talk in the lobby with competition and a partner
2. Group interview outside with everyone
3. More small talk with competition
4. Speed rounds
5. Final chat with competitors and a partner

They took over a week to give us the results. It looks like they only hired one person even though they previously advertised between 4-5 roles. Everyone I interviewed with had experience of an advanced degree (mostly MBA) so it was not a normal first year analyst lot by any stretch.

Office was very laid-back. Lots of surf videos and it had a mountain vibe. Very unique. I liked it. People had a unique mix of backgrounds. Some were former accountants, others were ex ER, others went straight in out of college as per usual.

There was a very mixed sentiment about being in the office in Covid. I could tell some did not care about the virus while others refused to touch their mask.

Advice- Plan on a lot of questions. Don't worry about technicals. Plan on a lengthy process. Partners are very into surfing and other outdoorsy hobbies, so come prepped to talk about it.