Investment Analyst (Chicago)

Investment Analyst

Position Summary

The Investment Analyst provides financial underwriting and due diligence support for a private equity firm that acquires established services businesses and partners with operators to build regional leaders. This role evaluates platform and add-on acquisitions, translates financial findings into investment recommendations, and supports transactions from initial review through closing and early portfolio reporting.

The position is based in Chicago, with four days per week in office and an anticipated start date in Q1 2027.

Key Responsibilities

Investment Screening & Underwriting

• Conduct initial calls with business owners and brokers to gather financial information and evaluate acquisition opportunities.
• Analyze financial statements, assess business performance, and develop initial valuations and investment return models.
• Underwrite new platform acquisitions and add-on opportunities for existing portfolio companies.
• Prepare concise investment memos with clear recommendations to support letters of intent.

Financial Due Diligence

• Lead financial diligence and quality of earnings workstreams, assessing earnings quality, net working capital, and transaction risks.
• Validate financial information, investigate discrepancies, and identify issues that could affect valuation or deal structure.
• Translate diligence findings into actionable recommendations for investment partners.

Transaction Management & Execution

• Coordinate external accounting, legal, insurance, and other transaction advisors.
• Manage diligence trackers, outstanding information requests, responsibilities, and deadlines.
• Prepare investment committee materials and support purchase agreement and closing activities.

Portfolio Transition & Reporting

• Communicate diligence findings and priorities to platform leadership following an acquisition.
• Support the establishment of monthly financial reporting and key performance indicators during the first 100 days of ownership.

AI-Enabled Analysis & Process Improvement

• Use AI tools for financial data intake, analysis, modeling, and investment memo preparation.
• Independently validate AI-generated work to ensure accuracy and sound investment judgment.
• Improve the efficiency and depth of underwriting and diligence processes.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Approximately 2–3 years of experience in transaction services, financial due diligence, or audit, with a Big Four background.
• Strong knowledge of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and financial statement analysis.
• Familiarity with quality of earnings, net working capital, and buy-side financial diligence.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and the ability to build, or readiness to learn, leveraged buyout and investment return models.
• Experience using AI tools regularly for analysis, modeling, or drafting, with a disciplined approach to verifying results.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and sound judgment in evaluating financial findings and transaction risks.
• Ability to communicate recommendations clearly and manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Based in the Chicago area and available to work in office four days per week.

Preferred Qualifications

• CPA designation or progress toward certification.
• Experience supporting private equity acquisitions and buy-side diligence engagements.
• Hands-on experience building leveraged buyout, valuation, and investment return models.

About Katalyst Group

Katalyst Group is a provider of executive search, project and interim placement solutions with expertise in supporting Accounting, Finance, and Business Transformation executives with special projects created by workforce gaps. As a human capital partner for our clients, we solve business problems across organizations in the areas of Risk and Compliance, Governance, and Technology.

Katalyst was founded in 2019 to help finance executives rapidly assemble project resources to address special projects, and recruit individuals for key hires within their respective organizations. The Katalyst team are former accounting, finance, program and project management professionals that have made a career of curating networks and connecting the dots. Our values-based culture extends to those we engage; therefore, we are selective and discerning about the organizations we support to ensure they are a good fit for those we represent.