Financial Technology Partners Phone Interview

Ya, it was really fit. The guy who interviewed me was pretty awkward - or there was a significant delay on the line. I realize phone interviews are tough to judge, but he was consistent with the 2-3 second pause after everything I said (everything) and it made it very, very awkward.

Thanks guys. This has been helpful.

Is this paid? When I looked at the job description, it said Unpaid.

By the way, what is everyone's take on doing a small investment bank internship that's unpaid vs. doing a Big 4 Accounting firm or big name asset management/PWM firm?

i think i saw that too. Isnt it for summer analyst? I heard it's mostly fit too

Can anyone tell me what the work culture and experience (significant modeling) one would get working as a first year analyst at FT partners?

I know a little about it from speaking with the recruiter over there. Basically, it's a small office so it's tight-knit, lot of access to seniors, it is very thin so you work a LOT but compensation is, in the words of the recruiter, "at least equal to the best on the Street." Seeing as how FT Partners is thin and dominates its industry, this is likely true.

Interviewed and had a friend who worked there.

1. Phone call is probably with their CFO. Definitely is awkward.

2. Comp is NOT comprable to street. Bonuses are a bit smaller. From my friend: "some kids quit after getting their bonus because they were disgusted". Turnover is high.

3. Definitely a sweatshop, but they have great deal flow and have a hand in most financial services tech-related deals. There are alot. Nothing on the front page of the WSJ, but lots of experience.

4. The group is apparently very close knit and work well together. Fresh mix of Ivy leaguers, state schoolers, and interesting backgrounds. Gotta show you are ready to go 2-3 days on nothing but Red Bull and gumption.

Hope this helps!

Thank you for the advice.

Looks like the CFO was blowing smoke when I interviewed. He said the compensation was great.

I'm pretty sure the CFO does all first-rounds via phone call. Then you speak with other members of the firm via phone for a second round, and then it would be an office visit final round. At least that's what I was told for FT.

I'll confirm everything that has been said above regarding culture and work for junior bankers.

More info on how technical the interviews (accounting/finance/valuations/brainteasers)? I'd greatly appreciate any answers.

ws67,

is this for FT or internship?

They posted on my school for internship.

LOL

for full time.

has anyone heard back for full time second round? jimbrown, did the CFO say after second round is there a 3rd round office visit or are you speculating?

does any one know what to expect for a second round interview?

I was told that the process was first round with CFO, second round with some of the bankers on the phone, and third round is an office visit. This is what I was told - I went through with the second round but accepted an offer at another firm and "passed" before I could be invited (or rejected) for the third round.

They're still doing FT hiring at this point? That's surprising, as I interviewed way back in the beginning of November.

Yes, they posted in February, so they must not have filled all of their spots from fall recruiting. They said they have 2 analysts coming in for the Fall and one of the positions is filled. I assume either by an intern or someone from fall recruiting.

Jimbrown, how was the second round? More fit questions?

Second round was pretty much the same as the interview with the CFO (less the awkwardness). Pretty much straight fit for more than half of the interview, one or two basic technicals (financial statements, how they tie together at a basic level, valuation methods, how to calculate WACC), and then a few minutes to ask a few questions. I think my second round was a bit different - I spoke with four people, two older associates, two VPs, and they were all scheduled separately since they were over the phone. I didn't really like that because it was tough to get into a "groove" with your answers (since they basically ask the same questions over and over), but the guys seemed decent and were really easy to talk to.

how did it turn out for you...did you get it

It seems like they interview everyone who submitted his or her resume...someone in here said that they hire 40 interns during school year to do shitty work is it true for summer program as well.

uh, i didnt get interviewed. did you get an interview for sa already madd?

yeah i got to the second round, the interview was definitely awkward like most people said in here but i got invited right at the end of the interview, i guess they are trying to fill up as fast as they can since not many people want to do it oh well i will take it then, how was your KPMG interview let me know ERIC

i have an interview schedule next week. the kpmg was okay. i think i messed up badly because i blanked out for one question in the end for some reason. I dont know what happened to me.

there were 2 from ucla, one from ucb, and one from uci. So i dont think you should feel bad for not getting selected.

got to the second round in SF with 3 people, all fit...let me know if you guys have any update

maddb218, are you applying for FT? Seems like they are interviewing FT and SA at the same time, with SA lagging behind by two weeks (they are still doing 1st round phone interviews for SA).

this is for SA

i am junior, has anyone heard back from the second round yet

"the second guy gave me hard time telling me how quantitative skills are important at FTP. he was grilling me on regression and ANOVA and GARCH."

That's absurd, I don't think any BB analyst knows what those are.