Investment Banking Associate | Business Services
At a glance
Junior Investment & Corporate Development role at Lateral. Los Angeles · full-time · $175,000–$225,000 base.
financeroles summary, based on the employer's posting.
What you'll do
- Build and check financial models, then explain historical results and projections
- Coordinate company due diligence and help carry M&A deals through execution
- Create deal marketing documents, confidential information books and presentations for management
- Value companies and run other financial analyses as deal needs arise
- Stay in touch with clients and advisers, while guiding and mentoring junior team members
What you bring
- An undergraduate degree and strong command of accounting and finance
- At least three years working in investment banking
- Strong analytical, technical and qualitative judgment
Who this fits
This is an associate role for someone ready to take substantial responsibility on deal teams and oversee financial work. You’ll also communicate directly with clients and advisers and mentor junior staff. The position is based in Los Angeles.
From the employer
Business Unit:
Corporate FinanceIndustry:
Business Services

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.

Corporate Finance
Houlihan Lokey has extensive expertise in mergers, acquisitions, divestitures, activist shareholder and takeover defense, and other related advisory services for a broad range of U.S. and international clients. Our experience in M&A has earned us consistent recognition throughout the industry. In 2025, LSEG ranked our firm the No. 1 investment bank for all global M&A transactions.

Business Services
Houlihan Lokey’s Business Services Group offers M&A advisory, capital raising, valuation, and corporate restructurings to public and private companies. We work with companies providing professional and technology-related services across a number of end markets and regularly collaborate with other Houlihan Lokey industry and product groups to bring the highest level of knowledge, services, and relationships to our clients.
Our team covers a broad array of sectors, with bankers dedicated to each of our primary coverage areas. We maintain deep, senior-level relationships with major strategic and financial buyers of professional and technology-related services companies, as well as large, public, and private company thought leaders within the industry.
As one of the leading M&A advisors in our sector, we help open doors to opportunities—whether our clients are seeking a strategic or financial partner in a change-of-control or minority-investment transaction.
Job Description
Associates are primarily responsible for the creation and oversight of financial models, marketing materials, internal and external presentations, as well as performing research and various analyses in support of new business generation and the execution of M&A transactions. Associates are afforded meaningful responsibility and are generally members of four-person deal teams, comprising a Managing Director, Vice President, Associate, and Financial Analyst.
The Business Services team has particularly strong sector practices in the areas of Environmental Services, Training & Education, Transportation & Logistics, Marketing Services, IT Services, BPO Services, Information Services, Engineering & Construction, Testing, Inspection & Certification, and Rental Service.
As part of our team, you will:
Prepare, analyze, and explain historical and projected financial information
Coordinate and perform business due diligence and execute M&A transactions
Prepare marketing materials, confidential information presentations, management presentations, and other presentations as needed
Perform valuation and ad hoc financial analyses
Assist in the marketing and execution of existing engagements
Build relationships and maintain direct contact with clients, prospective clients, and professional advisors
Communicate effectively with all members of the team, including the supervision and mentoring of junior staff members
The environment at Houlihan Lokey is both collegial and entrepreneurial. Teamwork is essential to the firm’s success. At the same time, creativity and new ideas are encouraged. Associates are given substantial responsibility and are encouraged to help us grow our business.
Basic Qualifications
Advanced knowledge of accounting and finance
Undergraduate degree
3+ years of Investment Banking experience
Strong analytical/technical and qualitative abilities
Preferred Qualifications
Excellent verbal and written communication skills
Strong financial and computer skills (Excel, Word and PowerPoint)
Excellent public speaking and presentation skills
Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple project deliverables simultaneously
Extensive operational financial modeling and valuation experience
Hands-on M&A experience
Transaction experience in Business Services is a plus
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:

$175,000 - $225,000


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 and the location where this position may be filled.

Houlihan Lokey provides a competitive benefits package. Our current benefits offerings can be found here:
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.