Buy-Side Investment Analyst
The Buy-Side Investment Analyst role is an entry-level position focused on supporting the full investment lifecycle at lower middle-market private equity firms. Responsibilities include building complex financial models, conducting due diligence and market research, preparing investment memos, and assisting with portfolio company performance analysis. This hybrid role offers direct exposure to live deals and investment decision-making in a fast-paced, apprenticeship-style environment designed to accelerate technical skills and investment judgment.
About Careertakes
👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Accounting & Finance.
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
Overview
Confidential Client (via Careertakes) is seeking an analytically strong, early-career Buy-Side Investment Analyst to support full investment lifecycle work across private equity and private markets. This is an entry-level, hands-on role that emphasizes financial modeling, diligence, and portfolio support within a lean, apprenticeship-style environment.
What You’ll Do
- Build and maintain operating and transaction models, including 3-statement models, DCFs, and LBOs.
- Analyze investment returns, capital structures, sensitivities, and downside scenarios.
- Perform valuation analyses using comparable companies, precedent transactions, and intrinsic methods.
- Support underwriting and scenario analysis for new investments and add-on opportunities.
- Assist with diligence across financial, commercial, operational, and legal workstreams.
- Analyze company performance, KPIs, customer cohorts, margins, and unit economics.
- Conduct industry, market, and competitive research to support investment theses.
- Draft investment memos, exhibits, and presentation materials for investment committee review.
- Help manage transaction execution through signing and closing activities.
- Assist with portfolio company performance tracking, KPI dashboards, and operational initiatives.
- Contribute to analysis for bolt-on acquisitions, refinancings, and exit scenarios.
What You’ll Bring
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting, Engineering, Mathematics, or a related field.
- Strong Excel skills with ability to build, audit, and interpret complex financial models.
- Solid foundation in accounting, corporate finance, and valuation methodologies.
- Prior internships or experience in investment banking, private equity, consulting, transaction advisory, or corporate finance is beneficial but not required.
- Demonstrated interest in investing, financial analysis, or M&A through coursework, internships, or independent study.
- Strong ownership mentality, attention to detail, and clear written/verbal communication.
- Ability to perform in fast-paced, deadline-driven deal environments.
- Coachable, intellectually curious, and eager to learn.
Preferred / Nice-to-Have
- Practical experience with LBO and DCF modeling under time constraints.
- Familiarity with data-room diligence processes and third-party research synthesis.
- Exposure to portfolio monitoring tools and KPI/dashboard construction.
Compensation & Location
- Location: Hybrid — Ny State Campus, NY
- Employment type: Full-time
- Compensation: Typically $140,000 – $185,000+ total compensation (varies by employer). Exact salary and total compensation will be provided by the Confidential Client and may vary by experience and final role.
Why This Role Is Valuable
- Direct exposure to live deals and investment decision-making.
- Frequent interaction with management teams, founders, and senior investment professionals.
- Steep learning curve across M&A, strategy, and applied finance in a small-team setting.
- Clear pathway toward longer-term buy-side investing roles.
About This Search (Careertakes)
Careertakes is representing the Confidential Client to source and evaluate candidates for this entry-level buy-side investment analyst opening in the Accounting & Finance industry. As a third-party recruiter, Careertakes provides role guidance, coordination with the hiring team, and candidate support throughout the interview and offer process.
Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency
Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.
If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.
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