Experienced Financial Analyst, Portfolio Valuation and Fund Advisory (Structured Products) - London

Houlihan Lokey, Inc. (NYSE:HLI) is a leading global investment bank recognised 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.

Over the past 50+ years, Houlihan Lokey has established one of the largest worldwide financial and valuation advisory practices. Our transaction expertise and leadership in the field of valuation inspire confidence in the financial executives, boards of directors, special committees, investors, and business owners we serve.

Drawing on our extensive experience analysing, structuring, securitising, underwriting, investing in, and trading whole loans and structured credit instruments, our professionals employ thorough analytical methods and powerful proprietary modelling techniques. Our valuation process incorporates robust market data to provide clients with superior valuation and advisory services that reflect current market developments for all structured products.

The Financial Analyst position presents an excellent career opportunity for you to join our rapidly growing firm. Financial Analysts within our Financial Valuation Advisory Services business are fully integrated members of our engagement teams. You will work with a dedicated, highly talented staff of professionals who will give you a broad exposure to many issues and concerns affecting businesses today. Our current work environment is a hybrid work model, requiring team members to be in the office at least 4 days/week.

We offer a unique opportunity to work on a wealth of projects that provide exposure to various financial advisory challenges, including the valuation of complex securities. You will also have an opportunity to interact with clients on active engagements and participate in the firm’s marketing efforts. After completing training specific to certain valuation techniques, databases and tools, your general responsibilities will include the following:

• Analysing and valuing various structured products, asset-backed loans, loan pools and other illiquid securities
• Determining relevant valuation assumptions based on historical performance, collateral type, and economic scenarios
• Utilising a discounted cash flows framework to derive value indications at appropriate market discount margins / yields
• Performing market research; calibrating proprietary valuation models to incorporate market-based assumptions
• Reviewing and compiling published financial information, such as industry research reports, remittance data, and market data across a wide range of asset classes
• Preparing client deliverables including valuation reports, pitch materials and information requests
• Participating in due diligence meetings/discussions and drafting responses to auditor questions regarding valuation analyses prepared by Houlihan Lokey
• Participating in presenting valuation analyses and conclusions internally to review committees, externally to our clients’ senior management and boards of directors, and to fiduciaries
• Performing quantitative and qualitative assessments on distribution reports, financial statements, and other sources of information, as required
• Assisting in the researching and reporting on (a) general economic conditions, (b) industry-specific conditions and trends, and (c) various investment attributes of illiquid securities
• Assisting with sales and marketing initiatives for prospective and existing clients
• Performing other ad-hoc research, analytics, and support for the FVA project teams as required

The environment at Houlihan Lokey is collegial and entrepreneurial and, as such, rewards staff with substantial responsibility and interaction with senior-level professionals and clients. The ideal candidate thinks strategically, is motivated, detail oriented, creative, outgoing, possesses strong quantitative skills and exhibits exceptional work ethic. The Financial Analyst will primarily support Structured Products valuation professionals in the Portfolio Valuation & Advisory Services practice and will gain broad exposure to a wide range of assets.

The following general qualifications are required:

• The ideal candidate should have 1-3 years of work experience
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in finance, accounting, business, applied mathematics, statistics, engineering, or equivalent quantitative field
• A fundamental understanding of financial valuation theory, methodologies, and applications
• Understanding of basic probability and statistical concepts
• Strong analytical abilities including demonstrated ability to model discounted cash flows
• Strong problem solving skills and the ability to work through complex financial models to determine the key assumptions, implicit caveats and limitations
• Strong knowledge of Excel
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; ability to prepare reports and presentations to team and clients, including graphic and written sections
• Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with team members
• Ability to work independently in a fast paced environment
• An exceptional work ethic and attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple projects and interact with clients and internal management
• Flexibility to travel to client site for due diligence meetings as required

The following specific qualifications are desirable but not required:

• Knowledge of multiple valuation techniques
• Knowledge of various structured products including Residential and Commercial Mortgage Securities (RMBS and CMBS), Asset-Backed Securities (ABS), and Collateralized Loan Obligations (CLO)
• Knowledge of and experience with statistical packages and data sources such as Intex and Bloomberg