Analyst/Associate, Board Advisory & Opinions - Chicago

US.020 Houlihan Lokey Financial Advisors, Inc.; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary incentive compensation

Competitive benefits package

Job summary

US.020 Houlihan Lokey Financial Advisors, Inc. is looking for an Analyst/Associate to join their Board Advisory & Opinions group in Chicago. This role focuses on complex analytics and valuation while supporting investment banking services.

Ideal candidates will have strong financial modeling skills and prior experience in investment banking or valuation. A competitive compensation package includes a salary range of $100,000 - $170,000 plus benefits.

Qualifications

• Prior investment banking, valuation, or related experience required.
• Advanced accounting and finance skills needed.
• Excellent communication skills in oral and written form are essential.

Responsibilities

• Analyze and explain historical and projected financial information.
• Perform business and financial due diligence.
• Valuate companies, businesses, and securities.
• Build complex financial models to assess cash flows.

Skills

Financial modeling

Analytical abilities

Oral and written communication

Leadership skills

Problem-solving

Organizational skills

Education

Undergraduate or graduate degree

Job description

Business Unit: Financial And Valuation Advisory | Industry: Transaction Opinions

Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE:HLI) is a leading global investment bank recognized for delivering independent strategic and financial advice to corporations, financial sponsors, and governments. With uniquely deep industry expertise, broad international reach, and a partnership approach rooted in trust, the firm provides innovative, integrated solutions across mergers and acquisitions, capital solutions, financial restructuring, and financial and valuation advisory.

Our unmatched transaction volumes provide differentiated, data‑driven perspectives that help our clients achieve their most critical goals. In 2025, LSEG ranked us the No. 1 global M&A fairness opinion advisor over the past 25 years.

Scope

Our Board Advisory & Opinions group provides advice to board of directors and special committees in valuing complex businesses and securities, understanding and structuring critical transaction issues, advising on alternatives, and rendering transaction opinions. The group primarily focuses on complex situations, related‑party transactions, and other corporate governance issues for board of directors and special committees. As the No. 1 global M&A fairness opinion advisor over the past 25 years, Houlihan Lokey enjoys industry‑leading credibility in transaction opinions. Our dedicated Transaction Opinions group delivers fairness, solvency, and valuation advisory services across a variety of situations, including mergers, acquisitions, divestitures/spin‑offs, SPACs/PIPEs, recapitalizations, restructurings, and activist shareholder situations.

Job Description

We are looking for an Analyst/Associate to be part of a dedicated team that focuses on complex analytics, financial models, and valuation – and works hand‑in‑hand with other teams within our firm (i.e., M&A, industry groups, etc.) to deliver investment banking services to clients. Our Associates also work on stand‑alone fairness, solvency, and transaction‑based valuation opinions.

Associates support engagements and new business development by:

• Analyzing and explaining historical and projected financial information
• Performing business and financial due diligence
• Valuing companies, businesses, and securities
• Building complex financial models (e.g., to support negotiating/advocacy positions, assess cash flows of a company and/or value specific securities)
• Preparing board/special committee presentations supporting advice and opinions
• Helping pitch engagements and participating in business development initiatives
• Building relationships and maintaining direct contact with current and prospective clients

Qualifications

Prior investment banking, valuation, or related experience

Advanced accounting, finance, financial modeling, and analytical abilities

Excellent oral and written communication skills

Experience managing analysts or other personnel

Be an independent thinker and resourceful problem solver driven to succeed in a fast‑paced environment

Have a very strong work ethic, organizational skills, and ability to multi‑task

Additional consideration will be given to candidates who possess:

• An undergraduate degree with academic distinction and/or a graduate degree
• At least one year (Analyst) and three years (Associate) of experience in financial services with at least one year of investment banking, valuation, or related experience
• A demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with all levels of staff

Compensation and Benefits

Houlihan Lokey is committed to providing its employees with an exciting career opportunity and competitive total compensation package, which may include other components such as discretionary incentive compensation. The firm’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the possible salary range for this role at the time of posting is: $100,000 - $170,000. Actual salary at the time of hire may vary and may be above or below the range based on various factors, including, but not limited to, the candidate’s relevant qualifications, skills, and experience, as well as the service line and location where this position may be filled. Houlihan Lokey provides a competitive benefits package.

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.