Overview

Introduction
Houlihan Lokey has expertise in mergers and acquisitions, capital markets, restructuring, and financial and valuation advisory. Its interns get live deal experience and top-notch training, and its full-time analysts get a ton of responsibility, the ability to pave their own paths, and schedule flexibility. The firm has an entrepreneurial culture and focuses on making sure its people maintain a healthy work/life balance.
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Vault Verdict
Houlihan Lokey is ideally looking for hardworking and intelligent candidates who can think on their feet. The firm’s interns receive a lot of live deal experience, good training, and access to senior bankers. Houlihan Lokey’s full-time junior bankers receive access to the firm’s entrepreneurial culture, which includes many mentorship opportunities, internal mobility options, and clear paths to promotion. According to some insiders, promotion paths can be too rigid, based on a certain amount of time with the firm as opposed to completely merit-based.
Although hours can be long at times, work/life balance can be achieved. The firm tends not to overstaff junior bankers, and its unlimited vacation policy allows for significant time off. In addition, it’s possible to ...
About the Company
Founded in 1972, Houlihan Lokey employs more than 2,500 people worldwide. Although it’s best known as an advisor to mid-cap companies and a restructuring house, Houlihan Lokey also serves large public corporations and small private companies. On August 13, 2015, the firm became a public company, listing on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol HLI.
Underscoring its prowess in the deal markets, Houlihan Lokey is currently ranked No. 1 in announced M&A transactions for all U.S. transactions, No. 1 globally in restructuring, and the No. 1 M&A fairness opinion advisor over the past 25 years, according to Refinitiv.
Led by CEO Scott Beiser, Houlihan Lokey operates through three main business lines: corporate finance (comprising mergers and acquisitions, capital market...
Employee Reviews
“As far as investment banks go, I can't imagine a better environment/culture to operate within. People are ‘human’ and allow for one to have a life outside of work."
“No allotted vacation time, so every has to get cleared. However, generally, HL aims not to understaff, so I generally work on only two deals and some marketing prospects at one time. That helps to maintain day-to-day work/life balance.”
“Ability to take vacation is mostly driven by clients’ needs and expectations. Houlihan Lokey lets you take as much vacation as you would like. Not surprisingly, the best bankers work the most (and hence why they are the best).”
“The silver lining in Covid is the ability to now work remotely so seamlessly, during holidays and otherwise. So, it makes visiting family and friends more tenable that what I think the industry was like before Covid. Similarly, the group is as understanding as any investment banking group I've heard of on the Street in terms of respecting work/life in the demanding industry that is investment banking. However, given the fast-paced nature of the job, I never feel like I'm actually on ‘vacation.’ But that's also a reflection of nearly everyone on the team being so hardworking—no one wants to be unconnected for that long.”
Why Work Here
Houlihan Lokey employees are able to grow professionally while working with experienced
colleagues and world-class resources from the firm’s extensive global network. For financial staff, our record level of live engagements provides an unmatched opportunity to develop real deal experience and build a solid foundation in finance.
At Houlihan Lokey, we will strive to provide the richest experience possible to help you build a long and successful career. In turn, we are looking for a select group of talented individuals who understand and share our mission. The hours will often be long and the work will be challenging, but the experience will be rewarding.
Getting Hired Here
“Ideal candidate is hardworking and intelligent, and can also fit in well within the welcoming culture.”
“Candidates need to be proficient in accounting above all. Looking for kids who show they have an agile mind and can think on their feet.”