FOF Modeling Test Question

Have a modeling test coming up for a FOF that does a lot of GP investments and co-investments. The test is 2.5 hours and consists of an LBO, writing test, and attention to detail test. What should I expect/prepare for? I’m practicing generalist LBOs at the moment but not sure of what else I should be doing. 

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Thanks for the reply. Any thoughts on how to prepare for writing the investment memo? Also, any thoughts on what type of LBO test it will be?

 
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I'd guess the LBO will be pretty vanilla. If you can build a three-statement operating model with a cash sweep for debt paydown and put in a MOIC / IRR, you'll be fine. Possibly you could be asked to build a sensitivity table.

If you're asked to write an investment memo and you aren't given some sort of framework to fill out, I'd go with the following and try to work in these details if they're available in the materials you're given:

  • Transaction overview: Include commentary on who the GP is with whom you'd be co-investing (is this a typical deal for them or outside their strike zone), what you think of valuation, alignment, etc.
  • Industry overview: headwinds/tailwinds for the industry, secular trends, etc.
  • Company overview: Include commentary on the business model, top/bottom line, margins, potential for value creation, how the company stacks up within the industry, etc.
  • Investment highlights: 3-5, using data to back up your highlights
  • Investment considerations: 3-5, using data again and also include any mitigating factors to the risks you're bringing up
  • Any next steps on diligence, other information you'd want to see, questions you'd have for the company/GP, etc.
  • Returns analysis if the memo ties back to the model that you were asked to build
 

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