Analyst Work Product Checklist: Give me your top 5-10

Hello all,

Trying to develop a "best practices" checklist for work product submission for analysts. What I've come up with thus far is, well, generic and flat. Things such as "double check your work," and "print it out," are pretty useless. I think there's got to be some insight out here of analysts, associates, VPs+ that have preferences.

Would love to prune the trees here for some good ideas. Some things that made you successful as an analyst in yesteryear (or now!) is relevant and helpful.

If you want to get specific by work-product, even better. Spreading Comps, Models, Pitchbooks, CIMs, etc... this is super open-ended.

Thanks in advance to all who submit.

 
Most Helpful

Kind of broad, but here are some things I look at....

1) Spell check (in Word, PPT or Excel). 2) Print and read everything. 3) Does the balance sheet balance? 4) Does the P&L tie to the accountant reviewed statements? 5) Do the charts have axis labels? 6) Do the charts have a source? 7) Does the total debt / EBITDA make sense? 8) Does the fixed charge coverage ratio make sense?

 

Footnotes (1) vs (a) Double spaces Font size Font type Consistent definitions eg entire company name or not

 
  1. Grammar and format: Ctrl+shift+C/V, PowerPoint color dropper, etc.
  2. Number sanity check: Are the decimal places right, do the numbers tie out, do you know the essential numbers that you need to defend, and where to find them if needed to/justify again? I usually have a marked up stick note version and a version I send out to keep track of where the numbers are pulling from.
  3. Sensibility check: Do the numbers say material increase, but your reasoning is saying otherwise? Vice Versa...
  4. Consistency: if you changed a number or reasoning does that reflect throughout the entire deck or memo.
  5. Does it make sense? (Though most of the time your asso or VP will be the one determining this). Zoom out, what story is this trying to tell you? If the numbers were general phrases could you still tell the story?
 

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