Paper LBOs

Couple of questions on paper LBOs - appreciate any insight to the below

1. I have been through a few guides and it seems there isn’t really any consistency between getting to FCFE, with some starting from net income and others going down from EBITDA. Is there any benefits to using one method over another?

2. Does anyone have any experience in doing Paper LBOs with recruiters? I have had a couple reach out on this but don’t really know how it will go given their lack of financial understanding. I imagine if you deviate even slightly from their solution it will be a total mess

3. Are you usually given a calculator to do the Paper LBO or not?

Thanks!

3 Comments
 
Most Helpful

1)

Be flexible knowing how to build from Net Income or EBITDA or CFO. Make sure you know the different formulas for FCFF (unlevered) vs. FCF (business/ops) vs. FCFE (levered equity).

Knowing all 3 ways helps you with technicals: what happens to EBITDA when DA goes up by $10? Answer is EBITDA remains same but EBIT goes down by $10.

2) 

Most recruiters / HH have worked in the industry before. They should know the variations. They're all the same number at the end of the day.

3)

No, but use the calculator if you can / if it's over phone.

 

Maybe I am missing something, but what is the formula for FCF (business/ops)? Thought there was only 2 types of FCF: unlevered and levered

Could anyone elaborate on the formula or concept of what she/he is talking about with FCF (business/ops)?

 

Rem delectus voluptatibus aut aut iste. Error nostrum ut enim consequatur officia. Eum pariatur voluptas recusandae autem.

Aliquid et sit accusamus. Magni aut alias quia rem doloremque ipsam.

Repudiandae fuga aliquam quia perspiciatis possimus. Iure aspernatur ut veniam sequi quis. Fugit error voluptatem at deserunt sit.

Perspiciatis pariatur consectetur est repellendus explicabo. Similique omnis architecto qui est dolorem fugit. Animi quae aliquid et fuga soluta quaerat numquam. Quidem accusantium non perspiciatis est perferendis sit.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 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

July 2026 Private Equity

  • Blackstone Group 99.6%
  • KKR (Kohlberg Kravis Roberts) 99.2%
  • The Riverside Company 98.9%
  • Ardian 98.5%
  • Warburg Pincus 98.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 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

July 2026 Private Equity

  • Principal (9) $653
  • Director/MD (24) $547
  • Vice President (99) $363
  • 3rd+ Year Associate (104) $281
  • 2nd Year Associate (235) $272
  • 1st Year Associate (411) $229
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (33) $157
  • 2nd Year Analyst (97) $134
  • 1st Year Analyst (272) $124
  • Intern/Summer Associate (38) $81
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (355) $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

1
redever's picture
redever
99.2
2
kanon's picture
kanon
99.0
3
Secyh62's picture
Secyh62
99.0
4
BankonBanking's picture
BankonBanking
99.0
5
dosk17's picture
dosk17
98.9
6
Betsy Massar's picture
Betsy Massar
98.9
7
CompBanker's picture
CompBanker
98.9
8
GameTheory's picture
GameTheory
98.9
9
DrApeman's picture
DrApeman
98.9
10
Mimbs's picture
Mimbs
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...”