Time it took you to get your head around the modelling!?

Just completed my first week as a SA in London. Just wanted to know how long it took you guys whether previous SA's or normal Analysts to get your head around the concepts, valuations and modelling.

It seems like a lot of information to take in, process and remember (especially as I have done no finance modules at uni).

Just wanna know how underprepared I am, or whether I am in a similar position to others (if you remember your first week). My exams at uni finished a week before i started, so didnt have much time to prepare..

4 Comments
 

like a 2nd tier investment bank, like RBS/ABN AMRO/BNP paribas

"The future belongs to those who prepare for it today" - Malcolm X

--------------------------------------------------------------------- "The future belongs to those who prepare for it today" - Malcolm X
 

I think the more important thing is to understand the underlying logic in the model: that is, it is more important that you understand the three statements, cash flows, discount rates, premiums and discounts, etc. etc.

After that, it's about building a model that encorporates all these things. That's just understanding how these things change and are related. Think about what you have trouble with: is it the underlying logic, or just the VBA/assumptions/complexity of the sheet that's giving you trouble?

 

Corporis sunt voluptate quod qui cumque velit. Fugiat sit dolor fuga. Aliquam hic nihil laboriosam.

Aliquam id libero optio aut minima et corporis dolorum. Aut perspiciatis laudantium et. Vero aut est quia eaque.

Dolor ipsum harum facere nam in ratione incidunt. Molestiae impedit consequatur nulla est. Sed ut recusandae animi nulla eligendi.

Non nihil qui cum suscipit minus accusantium. Cum tenetur ut aut at quidem numquam facilis perspiciatis. Et vero repellat molestiae adipisci qui reiciendis enim.

Career Advancement Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.4%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.9%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.4%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.5%
  • Morgan Stanley 03 98.9%
  • Evercore 01 98.4%
  • Banco Santander 02 97.9%
  • BMO Capital Markets 12 97.4%

Professional Growth Opportunities

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.5%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 05 98.4%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.9%
  • JPMorgan No 97.4%

Total Avg Compensation

October 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (16) $429
  • Associates (57) $264
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (28) $184
  • Intern/Summer Associate (16) $161
  • 1st Year Analyst (84) $151
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (76) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Linda Abraham's picture
Linda Abraham
98.8
success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”