Research Associate, Global Financials

Overview

As a Research Associate on William Blair’s Financials team, you will support fundamental equity research across banks, insurers, asset managers, and fintech players. You’ll work with analysts and portfolio managers to generate differentiated investment insights and contribute to security selection. You’ll translate financial analysis and industry dynamics into actionable investment recommendations. This role offers the chance to deepen sector knowledge and impact portfolio decisions in a collaborative, research-driven environment.

Responsibilities

• Conduct fundamental research and analysis on publicly listed financial institutions and related services businesses
• Develop deep knowledge of sub-sectors, models, regulatory environments and industry drivers
• Build and maintain detailed financial models (earnings, balance sheets, ROE, capital adequacy, valuations)
• Analyse financial statements, management commentary, filings and data to form investment views
• Generate investment research reports and updates for discussion with analysts and portfolio managers
• Attend meetings with company management, industry experts, and external research providers
• Monitor sector developments, earnings, macro trends, regulatory changes, and capital markets activity
• Assist in sourcing and presenting investment ideas including theses, valuations and risk assessments
• Collaborate with PMs and analysts to support portfolio construction and monitoring
• Maintain high standards of research quality and regulatory/risk compliance

Key requirements

• Bachelor degree in finance, economics, accounting, mathematics or related discipline
• CFA Charter holder or CFA program desired but not essential
• Experience in equity/investment research, asset management, investment banking, or related roles
• Strong understanding of accounting, financial statement analysis and valuation methodologies
• Experience analyzing financial institutions is highly desirable
• Advanced financial modeling and forecasting skills
• Ability to synthesize complex information into clear investment recommendations
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills with confidence presenting to senior professionals
• Strong intellectual curiosity, commercial awareness and attention to detail
• Ability to work independently within a collaborative team environment
• Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills
• Experience using Bloomberg, Visible Alpha or other institutional research platforms
• Familiarity with financial databases, regulatory filings and market data sources
• Strong quantitative and analytical capabilities with ability to evaluate large datasets

• intellectual curiosity
• attention to detail
• strong communication skills
• financial statement analysis
• valuation methodologies
• financial modeling and forecasting

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