Are PE 3 Statements Really That Complex?

Hi Monkeys,

I've been on the interview grind recently and have been doing some 3-statement LBO practice. I found a bunch of old resources on this website and online of mock modeling questions. They range from simple and easy to very robust and complicated. My question is -- how technical do these 3 statement models get for IB -> PE recruiting? I've seen LBO models with multiple layers of debt with PIKs and varied amorts, along with deferred tax calculations and goodwill impairments. I know a couple people in my group who have got offers and just by working with them I know for a fact that they do not have the modeling experience nor skill to model such constructs (not hating, just benchmarking against something I see on a day to day). 

I get that MF models will probably be very expansive, but what about MM, UMM shops? 

4 Comments
 

Ratione officia sit ipsam voluptatem. Minus aut minus doloremque et molestiae. Soluta voluptatum amet consequatur excepturi dicta. Qui dolore iste qui explicabo. Fugiat quibusdam voluptates sunt sit quos doloribus dolore.

Sunt porro eaque accusantium dolores eligendi. Et repudiandae aut non nisi consectetur. Nihil atque dolore sequi assumenda magni id blanditiis rerum. Qui aut quidem voluptas.

Career Advancement Opportunities

September 2026 Private Equity

  • The Riverside Company 99.6%
  • Blackstone Group 99.3%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.9%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.5%
  • Vista Equity Partners 98.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

September 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.3%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Ardian 98.5%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

September 2026 Private Equity

  • Bain Capital 99.6%
  • The Riverside Company 99.3%
  • Blackstone Group 98.9%
  • Starwood Capital Group 98.5%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 98.1%

Total Avg Compensation

September 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (100) $364
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (106) $280
  • 2nd Year Associate (235) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (414) $231
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (273) $126
  • Intern/Summer Associate (38) $81
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (356) $61
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

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...”