Financial Modeling Associate – Buy-Side

Career Launch AI; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 185,000; Full time

Job summary

A financial services platform is seeking a Financial Modeling Associate for a hybrid position in New York. This early-career role involves building financial models, analyzing investments, and supporting underwriting processes. Candidates should hold a relevant degree and possess strong modeling skills. The position offers valuable exposure to buy-side investing and the opportunity to collaborate with senior investors, contributing directly to investment decisions. Competitive compensation ranges from $140,000 to $185,000+ depending on the employer.

Qualifications

• Prior internships or experience in investment banking, private equity, credit, transaction advisory, or corporate finance is beneficial.
• Demonstrated experience building or auditing complex financial models.
• Strong interest in buy-side investing and transaction analysis.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain robust operating and transaction models.
• Analyze returns, capital structures, leverage, and downside scenarios.
• Support valuation analysis using comparable companies, precedent transactions, and intrinsic methodologies.
• Partner with deal teams during financial, commercial, and operational diligence.
• Translate complex financial analyses into clear insights and recommendations.

Skills

Advanced Excel and financial modeling skills

Strong understanding of accounting

High attention to detail and analytical rigor

Clear written and verbal communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting, Engineering, Mathematics

Job description

Career Launch AI Talent Network
Location: New York, NY (Hybrid)
Type: Full-Time
Compensation: $140,000 – $185,000+ total compensation (varies by employer)

About This Role

This Financial Modeling Associate – Buy-Side description represents the type of early-career, modeling-intensive investment roles featured on the Career Launch AI Private Job Board.
It is not a direct job opening with a specific employer.

Members of our platform gain access to exclusive buy-side investment roles that may not appear on public job boards. Career Launch AI provides tools and support to help candidates reach hiring managers, prepare for interviews, and pursue high-caliber finance opportunities.

More information is available at careerlaunch.ai.

About the Opportunity

Lower middle-market private equity firms, growth equity investors, credit funds, and other buy-side investment platforms within our network may seek analytically strong Financial Modeling Associates to support investment underwriting and decision-making.

Individuals in roles like this are deeply involved in building, reviewing, and refining financial models used to evaluate potential investments and monitor portfolio performance. The role offers high exposure to transaction economics, capital structures, and return drivers.

The work environment is typically lean and rigorous, providing meaningful interaction with senior investors and direct impact on investment decisions.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

Build and maintain robust operating and transaction models, including 3-statement models, DCFs, LBOs, and credit models

Analyze returns, capital structures, leverage, and downside scenarios

Perform sensitivity analyses and stress tests to evaluate risk and return profiles

Support valuation analysis using comparable companies, precedent transactions, and intrinsic methodologies

Support investment underwriting across new platform investments and add-on acquisitions

Analyze historical financials, KPIs, unit economics, and cash flow dynamics

Partner with deal teams during financial, commercial, and operational diligence

Identify key assumptions, risks, and value drivers embedded in models

Investment Committee & Decision Support

Prepare and refine model outputs, exhibits, and summaries for investment committee materials

Translate complex financial analyses into clear insights and recommendations

Respond to ad hoc analytical requests from senior investment professionals

Update models post-close to reflect actual performance versus underwriting

Support valuation updates, refinancing analysis, and exit scenario modeling

Assist portfolio teams with performance tracking and financial planning initiatives

What Makes This Work Engaging

Heavy exposure to advanced buy-side financial modeling

Direct influence on investment underwriting and capital allocation decisions

Accelerated learning in private equity, credit, and transaction finance

Close collaboration with senior investors and deal teams

Ideal Candidate Profile

This profile reflects the competencies commonly sought by firms for roles of this type.

Education & Technical Skills

Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Economics, Accounting, Engineering, Mathematics, or related field

Advanced Excel and financial modeling skills

Strong understanding of accounting, valuation, and capital structure mechanics

Experience (Formal or Informal)

Prior internships or experience in investment banking, private equity, credit, transaction advisory, or corporate finance is beneficial

Demonstrated experience building or auditing complex financial models

Strong interest in buy-side investing and transaction analysis

Soft Skills & Mindset

High attention to detail and analytical rigor

Ability to work efficiently under tight deadlines

Clear written and verbal communication skills

Strong ownership mentality and accountability

Coachability, curiosity, and willingness to continuously improve modeling skills

How Career Launch AI Helps Candidates Access Roles Like This

Career Launch AI is a career acceleration platform supporting candidates pursuing competitive buy-side finance roles.

AI-Powered Job Search Automation

Automated applications to a large volume of relevant roles with tailored resumes

Targeted search across private equity, growth equity, credit funds, and investment platforms

Human-led outreach campaigns to relevant recruiters and decision-makers

Support initiating warm, direct conversations rather than relying solely on job portals

Execution & Tracking Support

Streamlined systems to manage applications and outreach

End-to-end administrative support during the search process

Interview & Case Preparation

Assistance with financial modeling tests, LBO cases, and underwriting exercises

Support with behavioral and technical interview readiness

Ongoing guidance provided throughout the hiring process

Learn More or Apply

To access roles of this kind through the Career Launch AI platform, visit:
careerlaunch.ai

Career Launch AI offers access to a curated job board, personalized outreach support, automated application tools, interview preparation, and continued assistance until placement.

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