Legit boutique gig?

Hi all,

I interviewed at a boutique recently and was told that the job scope comprises assisting senior team members in corporate finance work (eg. IPOs, IFA roles and some M&A occasionally). This would comprise alot of industry analysis work, preparation of agreements and hardly any modeling. I understand that the modeling involved is limited to computing multiples (no DCF, LBO etc).

Does this sound like a legit gig? Was wondering whether it would put me in a good position to lat in the future to large firms in their M&A team.

Note: Firm is a no-name boutique.

Thanks :)

7 Comments
 
"Sil"

This sounds like a typical boutique gig. Many boutiques do little to no modeling and use multiples for their valuation instead. This has at least been my experience having worked at one and knowing others who have as well.

Hi Sil,

Thanks for your prompt reply. I read your thread on how you managed to lat into a top MM. Congrats on that!

But given that you have no modeling skills, wouldn't this be a disadvantage in applying to larger firms? How did you address this when it comes up at interviews?

 
Best Response
"the_ferry"
Sil: This sounds like a typical boutique gig. Many boutiques do little to no modeling and use multiples for their valuation instead. This has at least been my experience having worked at one and knowing others who have as well.

Hi Sil,

Thanks for your prompt reply. I read your thread on how you managed to lat into a top MM. Congrats on that!

But given that you have no modeling skills, wouldn't this be a disadvantage in applying to larger firms? How did you address this when it comes up at interviews?

You can always build models on your own free time. Chances are you will not be working 80+ hours, which should give you an hour here and there to spend at work building out a DCF, LBO, etc. This will give you more insight into the company (a benefit for your boutique) as well as better modeling skills (a benefit for you).

 
"the_ferry"

Hi there,

Didn't want to create a separate thread for this but would heading to an F500 to do corporate finance be similar to working at a boutique in terms of exit opportunities?

Clarify what you mean by corp fin.. is it FP&A type work, or is it corp dev? FP&A even at F100 company wouldn't open too many doors outside of other similar roles. Boutique exit ops IMO are stronger unless the boutique is a real POS with little to no actual deal flow.

 
"Guest1655"
the_ferry:Hi there,Didn't want to create a separate thread for this but would heading to an F500 to do corporate finance be similar to working at a boutique in terms of exit opportunities?

Clarify what you mean by corp fin.. is it FP&A type work, or is it corp dev? FP&A even at F100 company wouldn't open too many doors outside of other similar roles. Boutique exit ops IMO are stronger unless the boutique is a real POS with little to no actual deal flow.

The role does not sound like fp&a. It involves modeling, investment monitoring and evaluation, preparing business plans and forecast.

 

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