What is a Financial Analyst at Piper Sandler?

A Financial Analyst at Piper Sandler serves as a vital contributor to the firm’s investment banking advisory and capital markets activities. You will be immersed in high-stakes financial analysis, supporting senior bankers in executing M&A transactions, capital raises, and strategic advisory mandates. Your work directly impacts how clients navigate complex financial landscapes, requiring both technical precision and an ability to distill large volumes of data into actionable insights.

This role is designed for individuals who thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. You will be responsible for building financial models, preparing pitch books, and conducting rigorous industry research. Because Piper Sandler places a high premium on team cohesion, you will find yourself working closely with Associates, Vice Presidents, and Managing Directors, providing you with significant exposure to the entire deal lifecycle and the strategic decision-making processes of the firm’s clients.

The salary data provided represents a competitive range for various Financial Analyst tracks, including Public Finance and ECM/DCM groups. Candidates should interpret these figures as base compensation, which typically scales with geographic location and specific product group alignment. Use this information to benchmark your expectations during the offer stage, keeping in mind that total compensation in investment banking often includes performance-based bonuses.

Common Interview Questions

The following questions are representative of the patterns observed in Piper Sandler interview processes. While specific inquiries may shift based on the group you are interviewing with, you should expect a blend of technical rigor and deep-dive behavioral assessments.

Technical and Valuation

These questions test your foundational knowledge of finance, accounting, and your ability to apply them to real-world scenarios.

• Walk me through a Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) analysis.
• How do the three financial statements link together?
• What is the difference between Equity Value and Enterprise Value?
• Explain the intuition behind WACC and why we use it.
• If you had to value a company using only one financial statement, which would you choose and why?

Behavioral and Cultural Fit

These questions assess your character, your motivation for joining Piper Sandler, and your ability to work under pressure.

• Why are you interested in Investment Banking specifically at Piper Sandler?
• Walk me through your resume and your path to this role.
• Tell me about a time you had to handle a difficult team dynamic.
• How do you manage your time when juggling multiple high-priority tasks?
• What do you do for fun outside of work?