Absurdly high pay at Qatalyst, any truth to the rumors?

Heard that Qatalyst pays $500k+ to first year associates and VPs are regularly pulling in a million. The numbers in the WSO comp database and Glassdoor seem to back this up.


If this is true why would their analysts ever leave to PE or VC? I know comp isn't the only factor but if you're at a place where you can make seven figures a year in your late 20s I would think that's hard to turn down

 

Typical base + bonus is a bit higher than street, but I know for a fact that there is a profit-sharing system there for associate and above when deals close. On good years (like last) comp does reach those numbers. Analyst comp however is just a little higher than street (180-220k) and they don't get to participate in profit-sharing. Not trying to pump the firm, just trying to give accurate info. 

 

Not pumping the firm, just relaying info from a very reliable source since there seems to be a lot of doubt about the figures.

Some numbers from last year: First year associates total comp was just under $700k, senior associate total comp was just under $1 million. On the analyst level, the 1st years made slightly under $300k, and 2nd year analysts pulled in ~$350k.

I know these numbers are very hard to believe (hence all the trolling below?) but bear in mind that this was in one of the best years ever for tech M&A. The fact that Qatalyst is private, purposefully maintains a low headcount, and only works on the largest deals, means that the employees make it rain in good years. Before throwing MS, please try to get in touch with someone who actually works there

 

The few people I know that have left, left because of WLB or lack thereof. Profit-sharing system is real, and like some of the other industry boutiques that have it, when the firm has a good year employees benefit greatly. 

 

I spoke with a few VPs at Qatalyst and they told me that they pull $1-2 million (all cash) consistently. MDs there make $10-15m from what I heard. 

 

highly doubt that...MDs there are at most making $5-6mm, VPs maybe $1-1.5mm

 

can confirm Analyst base is 69k with bonus of 420k 

 

The thread got funnier as I scrolled down, and this sent me over the edge belting laughter. 

 
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Can confirm exec assistants pull in 200k regularly. 

 

Just a fun and shocking fact but it's actually not uncommon for exec assistants for management at medium-size start-ups to make $100K+. Knew a girl in her late 20s who was one of two exec assistants for the CEO of the company I was working for and she showed me her contract. She also noted that exec assistants normally don't get a raise though so she might be stuck at that amount for a long time. 

 

Serious reply from a former analyst that left for a top VC: this was many years ago and the top first year analysts cleared $200K+, so I wouldn't be surprised that it is higher now. Associate base and bonus is above street, but not that much higher than EBs. The difference is that you get to participate in the firm's profit sharing, i.e. "partnership" program that the firm will give you a loan to buy into at the associate level and above. In a year where Qatalyst is generating $300-500M revenue with a small handful of employees (you can go count it on the website), you can do the math on profit sharing. $500K for associates and close to $1M for VPs all in is certainly possible and wouldn't be surprised if overall cash comp has gone up as well since then.    

 

Serious reply - a close friend was an analyst there years back (has since left for VC). Comp is definitely well above street and there is a profit sharing system for employees. First year analysts regularly make above 200k. You answered your own question for why analysts leave for other roles. Many of the analysts there are passionate about tech/investing and the exits available are top notch. So they either leave because of their interest in other roles or because they believe long-term they can outperform those who stay in banking

 

I don’t know where people get numbers or what people have heard from a friend of a friend of a friend but here are ranges for a solid year. Believe it or not but these are the numbers for folks that are actually interested 

associate 1: $175 base + $200-250ish bonus + $50-75k profit sharing, all cash

Associate 3: $225 base + $400-450 bonus + $150-200 profit sharing all cash

VP base is $275 across all levels.  Mid level Vp last year got around $600-650 bonus, 275-325 profit sharing all cash

I would imagine MDs are $2.5-3.5 a year all in and the huge upside really comes in as a partner where I imagine partners are Making $5-20+ Based on contributions for a given year, excluding George of course who makes a lot more

for the question on WLB, you’re going to work hard obviously.  There are no weekend policies and it’s not uncommon for analysts and associates to be working both Saturday and Sunday.  I would say culture is still better than a BB and the quality of work is a night and day difference. You’re not sitting around at the office all night for FaceTime or waiting for comments but there is a lot of real, stressful work to do most of the time and you will run on lean teams.  Just look at the number of deals done a year, and assume that at least 3-4x the number of announced transactions were worked on and look at the size of the team. You can do the math.  I would argue a skill set an analyst develops at Qatalyst is second to none on Wall Street, you will just see and be exposed to a lot more than your peers elsewhere, and you will get paid for your work but you’re going to work around the clock for 2 years or longer if you stay.  Think you would be hard pressed to find a current or former analyst that would complain about consistently doing busy/ mundane work or lack of solid experience.

 

Can confirm my roommate who goes to a well

Known state school think: ( ASU, PSU, UA) received an offer from Q. He was known around campus to be the best dog banger - as stated above George Butrous’ dog highly recommended him. Think (cock, beastiality, dog)

 

Not sure why there’s so much trolling on this thread. Base pay for Analyst 1 is 120k, bonuses this year are expected to be 120-130 (paid in summer). Qatalyst doesn’t do “buckets” for bonuses; analysts all make the same bonus. Signing bonus is 20k and there was an additional EOY bonus because of strong performance (30k for An1). 

 

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