Ardea Partners Interview
Heard good things about Ardea and was wondering if anyone has insight into the interview process like tech heavy, mainly from 400 guide, brain teasers etc...?
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Career Resources
Based on the most helpful WSO content, there isn't specific information detailing Ardea Partners' interview process in the provided context. However, general insights from boutique investment banking interviews suggest that you should prepare for a mix of technical, behavioral, and possibly case study-based questions.
For technical preparation, it's common to focus on topics from guides like the 400 Investment Banking Questions, including financial modeling, valuation techniques (DCF, comps, etc.), and accounting principles. Behavioral questions will likely assess your fit with the team and your ability to handle the unique dynamics of a boutique firm. Brain teasers or logic-based questions might also appear, though this depends on the firm's specific style.
If you're targeting Ardea, it might also be helpful to emphasize their unique structure and pedigree, as they are founded by former Goldman Sachs partners. This could influence the type of questions they ask, leaning towards high-level strategic thinking and problem-solving.
For more tailored advice, reaching out to alumni or professionals who have interviewed or worked there could provide additional insights.
Sources: Which offer to choose for fulltime: Ardea Partners, BDA Partners, DBO Partners, FT Partners, or JPM Corporate Banking??? URGENT, https://www.wallstreetoasis.com/forum/investment-banking/ardea-partners-sa-2021?customgpt=1, Q&A: Career start and progression across IBD // Restructuring // PE special sits, Q&A: 3rd year analyst at a boutique PE fund in the SEA region, Q&A: Corporate Banking to FAANG CD
I’m my opinion bank is poopoo from exit opps perspective and learning experience and comp.
I’m not a fan either but to say that comp is poopoo is wild
They have an assessment for their summer analyst recruitment cycle. They ask you what time you’re free to do it and to clear your calendar entirely. I remember waiting for the exam at 5:30 ET on a Friday because that was one of their suggested times. I waited 1 1/2 hours till 7:00 pm ET on a Friday where they sent the exams and pretended like we got jack shit else to do in our lives.
Had something similar… they sure know how to run a disorganised recruitment process
A lot of nepo too… if Timmy’s daddy is owed then Timmy gets the free internship.
Comments are far off. Ardea is easily one of the best places to be as a junior for career development.
Interviews are extremely hard and technical, they will ask you niche M&A accounting questions that you won’t know unless you’ve been cramming different guides for months. There was an M&A case study exam for their summer analyst positions.
They test for pure IQ so everyone is incredibly smart, every lateral has a great background.
Exits are very good. Keep in mind they are very new so they’ve literally had ~10 analysts exit in total, one went to TPG and another went to Francisco Partners. That PE placement rate is already on par with the best banking groups.
Comp is ridiculous. 285K A1 total comp with $160k base. I’m pretty sure Qatalyst doesn’t even pay this much. Dealflow per head is only beaten by Qatalyst so the learning experience is incredible.
That being said though the hours are straight slave labour. Say goodbye to any form of WLB you were hoping to have.
All things considered it’s not a stretch to say it’s on of the best IB analyst jobs out there. If you are lucky enough to go get an offer and are willing to put up with slave hours then accept.
Bro is so high, base is nowhere close to 160k
Lies.
Any recommendations on what techs to study for and what guides to read specifically? Also since they are a FIG focused firm will I need to come in with an interest in FIG or knowledge of FIG specific questions?
shut yo dumbass up
.
Do they pay bonus in Dec or March?
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