I have been offered a Analyst 3 level role at Houlihan Lokey in the corporate valuation advisory services team (complex security valuation). They have offered me 145k (85k base+ 20k sign on bonus+40k bonus in the first year). I have 2 years of work experience on derivatives desk in a boutique.
Should I negotiate for a better base salary ?
How are HL benefits, work culture like?
How is the company reputation in the market?
Current compensation- 87k + ~10-15% bonus
Houlihan Lokey
They offered you 125k with a 20k sign on kicker.
You’re actually going down in base comp and without knowing what the bonus structure looks like from T+1 it’s hard to make a recommendation.
I think there’s some room to negotiate a higher base. At the very least get clarity on what the bonus looks like starting next year.
I can’t speak much on benefits or culture, but reputation is strong. It’s not a household name like the BBs, but everyone in the finance world knows HH. They’re known for their M&A coverage of the more niche industries and their flexibility with special situations/rescue financing.
In other words, HH is engaged on deals that other banks refuse to touch (reputation risk, complexity, etc.). I think you’ll get some really unique and good experiences working at HH.
My bank structured my bonus in two tiers. One is a capped bonus depending on how much revenue I contributed to the firm, the second is a uncapped bonus depending on firm’s overall performance.
If you’re moving from a tier 3 city to tier 1, the salary should reflect the cost of life adjustment (or the bonus and sign on bonus reflect the adjustment).
If you’re on a sure path to associate within 1 year, then you actually have a lot going for you because there’s usually a huge jump in salary between analyst and associate.
How can they promise a 40k Bonus for the year? It’s discretionary and they can back out. Your base is 85k. This is not Great.
Agree with IBA1, they said this is the minimum bonus. Will post what they say about bonus staying year 2
OP, did you end up taking the offer? Also can anyone in HH share some insights about WLB?