ECHELON Firm Profile: Careers, Salary, Culture, and Interviews

Key Insights:

• The ECHELON Firm Profile highlights a boutique investment bank specializing in strategic advisory, investment banking, and valuation for wealth and investment management firms.
• ECHELON careers offer analyst to senior leadership roles, with strong client exposure and broad responsibilities in a small-team environment.
• ECHELON internships provide hands-on experience in valuation and deal execution, preparing students for careers in investment banking and advisory.
• The ECHELON culture emphasizes collaboration and client service, though long work hours reflect typical industry expectations.
• ECHELON salary averages $104,666 for analysts, with bonuses and career progression opportunities adding to compensation potential.

ECHELON is a boutique investment bank specializing in strategic advisory, investment banking, and valuation services for wealth and investment management firms. The ECHELON Firm Profile highlights its focus on delivering tailored solutions by combining financial expertise with deep industry knowledge. Candidates exploring careers in finance often look to ECHELON for its unique positioning.

In this article, we will explore ECHELON’s history, practice areas, careers, internships, culture, interview process, salary, and more.

What is the ECHELON Firm Profile?

The ECHELON Firm Profile describes a boutique investment bank that partners with wealth and investment management firms through investment banking, strategic advisory, and valuation services. It is recognized for its industry-specific focus, proprietary valuation methods, and consistent recognition as a trusted advisor.

ECHELON’s strength lies in its specialization. Unlike large universal banks, it targets specific client groups within financial services. Its leadership team combines operator and investor experience, which allows the firm to provide practical insights in addition to financial execution.

Key aspects of ECHELON include:

• Industry focus on wealth and asset management clients
• Proprietary valuation methodologies used as benchmarks
• Strong track record of over 400 advisory transactions
• Consistent recognition by WealthManagement.com as a top investment bank

The firm is headquartered in Manhattan Beach, California, with a lean team that delivers personalized client service.

What are the key stats about ECHELON?

The key stats about ECHELON include its headquarters in Manhattan Beach, California, leadership under CEO Daniel Seivert, approximately 10 employees, and $127 million in revenue. The firm operates from a single office and has advised on more than 400 transactions in wealth and investment management.

These statistics give you a snapshot of ECHELON’s scale and operations. Unlike larger investment banks, its smaller size emphasizes a lean, specialized team. This allows for more personalized advisory work and deeper relationships with clients in wealth management.

Here are the most relevant facts at a glance:

• Headquarters: Manhattan Beach, California
• CEO: Daniel Seivert
• Employees: ~10
• Revenue: $127 million
• Office Locations: 1 (Southern California)
• Transactions: 400+ completed in wealth and investment management
• Recognition: Named top investment bank by WealthManagement.com multiple times

What is the history of ECHELON?

The history of ECHELON spans over two decades as a FINRA-registered boutique investment bank recognized for its proprietary valuation methodology and advisory services. The firm has completed more than 400 transactions and has been named the top investment bank in wealth management by WealthManagement.com on multiple occasions.

Founded in the early 2000s, ECHELON built its reputation by serving financial institutions and investment managers with precision. Its proprietary valuation model has become an industry benchmark. Over the years, it expanded its influence in wealth management and fintech advisory.

Key milestones in ECHELON’s history:

• Establishment as a boutique investment bank over 20 years ago
• Development of a proprietary valuation methodology
• Completion of 400+ transactions across financial services
• Industry awards recognizing advisory excellence

What industries and practice areas does ECHELON serve?

ECHELON serves industries within wealth and investment management, focusing on practice areas in investment banking, strategic advisory, and valuation services. Clients include registered investment advisors, broker-dealers, family offices, and fintech providers.

The firm’s specialization allows it to deliver tailored solutions to financial institutions. By limiting its client scope, ECHELON develops deep industry expertise that translates into higher-value advisory.

Industries served by ECHELON include:

• Registered Investment Advisors (RIAs)
• Private banks and trusts
• Family offices and multi-family offices
• Broker-dealers (national and independent)
• Financial technology providers
• Wealth management technology firms

Practice areas at ECHELON:

• Investment banking transactions
• Valuation services for financial institutions
• Strategic advisory for growth and succession planning

What careers are available at ECHELON?

Careers at ECHELON typically include analyst, associate, vice president, and senior leadership roles, with opportunities in investment banking, strategic advisory, and valuation. As a boutique firm, employees often gain exposure to multiple functions and close collaboration with senior leadership.

Working at ECHELON means long hours are expected, consistent with finance industry norms, but the smaller team size offers a more personal environment. Career paths may progress faster due to direct client exposure.

Roles you may find at ECHELON:

• Analyst (entry-level position with financial modeling and research focus)
• Associate (deal execution and client presentations)
• Vice President (transaction management and business development)
• Managing Director (client relationship leadership)

Does ECHELON offer internships?

ECHELON offers internships, typically through investment banking summer analyst roles. Reviews from interns suggest hands-on experience with financial modeling, deal support, and valuation work, though workloads can be demanding.

Internships are often structured as summer programs lasting several weeks. Successful interns may gain valuable exposure to advisory work and, in some cases, opportunities for full-time roles.

Key internship insights:

• Past listings include Investment Banking Spring/Summer Analyst
• Duration: 8 to 10 weeks, usually in summer
• Workload: 40 to 50 hours per week reported by past interns
• Experience: Valuation, transaction analysis, client support

What is the culture like at ECHELON?

The culture at ECHELON emphasizes client service, professional rigor, and close collaboration within a small team. Employees report both the benefits of personalized mentorship and the challenges of long work hours common in investment banking.

With only one office, the environment is close-knit. The leadership seeks to align staff contributions with client outcomes, but some interns noted limited flexibility in work arrangements.

Cultural characteristics include:

• Strong client-service orientation
• Collaborative small-team structure
• Fast-paced work environment with high expectations
• Limited formal diversity initiatives but informal mentoring present

What is the interview process at ECHELON?

The interview process at ECHELON generally includes multiple rounds combining behavioral, technical, and market-related questions. Some applicants report in-person interviews with case-style finance problems, while others have been given online packets to assess economic and product knowledge.

Typical stages of the process:

1. Behavioral interviews focused on motivation and teamwork
2. Brain teasers or technical finance questions
3. Valuation and financial modeling discussions
4. Market or product knowledge assessments (sometimes via written packets)

Sample technical questions:

• What are the three main valuation methods?
• How do you calculate free cash flow?
• Walk me through a discounted cash flow analysis.

How much is the salary at ECHELON?

The salary at ECHELON for analysts averages about $104,666 per year, with higher compensation for senior roles depending on performance and deal activity. While salaries may be lower than those at large investment banks, they remain competitive within boutique finance.

Compensation components include:

• Base salary aligned with industry benchmarks
• Potential performance-based bonuses
• Smaller-team environment with broader exposure to deals

What are the exit opportunities after ECHELON?

Exit opportunities after ECHELON typically include positions at larger investment banks, wealth management firms, or consulting firms specializing in financial services. The advisory and valuation experience also positions alumni well for roles in private equity or fintech.

Common career exits:

• Middle-market or bulge bracket banks
• Wealth and asset management firms
• Financial services consulting roles
• Private equity or venture capital positions
• Fintech startups and technology providers

Is ECHELON a good consulting firm to work for?

ECHELON can be a good consulting and advisory firm for candidates seeking exposure to financial services clients in a boutique environment. It provides personalized learning, client interaction, and specialized industry knowledge, though candidates should expect long hours.

Advantages:

• Strong mentorship in a small firm setting
• Recognition as a top investment bank in wealth management
• Exposure to diverse financial advisory projects

Challenges:

• Limited geographic reach with one office
• Workload intensity comparable to larger banks

How do you get a job at ECHELON?

To get a job at ECHELON, you should demonstrate strong finance skills, networking ability, and familiarity with wealth management. The firm does not heavily recruit from target schools, so proactive applications and referrals are key.

Steps to improve your chances:

• Build strong technical skills in valuation and financial modeling
• Network with current employees or alumni
• Highlight relevant internship experience in finance or advisory
• Prepare for both behavioral and technical interview questions

Where are ECHELON’s offices located?

ECHELON operates a single office located in Manhattan Beach, California. This central location supports its close-knit culture and boutique advisory model, though it limits global mobility compared to larger firms.

The benefits of a single office include:

• Strong collaboration within a small team
• Direct access to leadership
• Centralized operations that streamline decision-making

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does echelon mean in math?
A: In math, echelon form refers to a matrix arranged in steps or rows where each leading entry is to the right of the one above it. This meaning is distinct from the ECHELON Firm Profile, which highlights careers, culture, and salary in a boutique investment bank.

Q: What is the meaning of echelon formation?
A: Echelon formation is a military or aviation arrangement where units are placed diagonally behind one another. Unlike the ECHELON Firm Profile, which focuses on strategic advisory and wealth management consulting, this usage reflects structured positioning.

Q: What does echelon 2 mean?
A: Echelon 2 typically describes a second tier or support level in an organization or military structure. This differs from the ECHELON Firm Profile, which emphasizes industries, internships, and exit opportunities in consulting and investment banking.

Q: What is the pivot in Echelon form?
A: The pivot in echelon form is the first nonzero number in a row of a matrix, guiding row operations. While mathematical, it contrasts with the ECHELON interview process and practice areas described in the firm profile.

Q: What does the echelon form look like?
A: An echelon form looks like a stepped matrix, with zeros below each pivot creating a triangular pattern. This mathematical definition is separate from the ECHELON Firm Profile, which covers company history, locations, and careers.