Research Associate I Jobs in Decatur, GA (NOW HIRING)

Business Unit:
Financial And Valuation Advisory
Industry:
Transaction Opinions
Overview
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. To learn more about Houlihan Lokey, please visit HL.com.
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. In 2025, LSEG ranked us the No. 1 global M&A fairness opinion advisor over the past 25 years. Our stability, integrity, technical leadership, and global capabilities make us a trusted advisor for clients worldwide, across a wide range of services, including the Transaction Opinions, Transaction Advisory Services, Corporate Valuation Advisory Services, Portfolio Valuation and Fund Advisory Services, Real Estate Valuation and Advisory Services, and Dispute Resolution Consulting practices.
Scope
Our Board & Special Committee Advisory 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.
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
Financial Analyst:
We are looking for a Financial Analyst 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 Financial Analysts also work on stand-alone fairness, solvency and transaction-based valuation opinions.

• Financial Analysts support engagements and new business development by:
• Analyzing and explaining historical and projected financial information;
• Performing business and financial due diligence;
• Conducting industry and sub-sector research;
• 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);
• Assisting with the preparation of board/special committee presentations supporting advice and opinions;
• Participating in pitches and business development initiatives; and
• Supporting relationships with current and prospective clients.

Qualifications
The ideal candidate will possess the following qualities and background:

• At least one year of prior investment banking, valuation or related experience
• Strong accounting, finance, financial modeling and analytical abilities
• Strong qualitative and quantitative research skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• 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 in finance, accounting, economics or a related field, with academic distinction;
• A demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with all levels of staff

Associate:
We are looking for an 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; and
• Building relationships and maintaining direct contact with current and prospective clients.

Qualifications
The ideal candidate would possess the following qualities and background:

• 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 three years 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. Our current benefits offerings can be found here:
2026 Benefits
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.
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