Financo Firm Profile: Careers, Salary, and Interview Guide

Key Insights:

• The Financo firm profile highlights a New York-based boutique advisory with 50 to 75 employees, three offices, and $20 to $40 million in revenue.
• Financo careers progress from Associate Consultant to Managing Director, offering strong growth opportunities in investment banking and consumer goods consulting.
• Financo internship programs give students hands-on deal experience and exposure to retail and fashion clients.
• The Financo interview process spans 2 to 3 weeks with behavioral and technical questions tied to retail and consumer transactions.
• Average Financo salaries range from $93,000 for Associate Consultants to $393,000 for Managing Directors.

The Financo firm profile highlights a boutique investment banking and consulting firm known for its deep expertise in retail, fashion, and consumer goods. Financo careers attract candidates interested in working with globally recognized brands while gaining hands-on experience in mergers and acquisitions, strategic advisory, and capital raising. Whether you are curious about Financo internships, exploring salary benchmarks, or preparing for the interview process, this guide gives you a clear overview of what to expect. In this article, we will explore Financo’s history, practice areas, career path, culture, and exit opportunities.

What are the key stats about Financo?

The Financo firm profile highlights a boutique advisory and investment banking company headquartered in New York with about 50 to 75 employees, three offices, and $20 to $40 million in annual revenue. The firm is led by Chief Executive John Berg and continues to specialize in retail and consumer goods consulting.

Key facts about Financo include:

• Headquarters: New York, NY
• Additional Offices: Los Angeles, CA and London, UK
• Leadership: Chief Executive John Berg
• Number of Employees: Approximately 50 to 75
• Estimated Revenue: $20 to $40 million annually
• Firm Website: www.financo.com

These stats give a clear snapshot of the firm’s size, leadership, and market positioning, helping you understand Financo’s footprint before exploring careers, culture, and interview opportunities.

How did Financo’s history shape the firm today?

Financo’s history began in 1971 when Gilbert Harrison founded the firm to focus on retail and consumer industries. After early growth, the company was acquired by Shearson Lehman Brothers in 1985, reacquired by Harrison in 1989, and later became part of Raymond James Financial in 2020 while retaining its name.

This timeline shows how Financo has evolved:

• 1971: Founded by Gilbert Harrison after his work with leading retail clients
• 1985: Acquired by Shearson Lehman Brothers
• 1989: Reacquired by Harrison, returning to independence
• 2020: Acquired by Raymond James Financial, continuing under the Financo brand

The firm’s ability to adapt through acquisitions and market changes reflects its long-standing role as a trusted advisor in retail and consumer goods consulting.

What are Financo’s main practice areas and industries?

Financo’s practice areas center on investment banking services, including mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, and strategic advisory. The firm primarily serves industries such as retail, fashion, and consumer goods, providing guidance on growth, restructuring, and market positioning.

Key Financo practice areas include:

• Investment banking and strategic advisory
• Mergers and acquisitions
• Growth capital raising
• IPOs and securities
• Corporate restructuring

Primary industries served by Financo:

• Retail
• Consumer goods
• Fashion and merchandising

These practice areas and industries show where Financo delivers the most value, offering candidates opportunities to build expertise in transactions and sector-specific consulting.

Who are Financo’s typical clients and recent deals?

Financo’s clients are leading retail, fashion, and consumer goods brands, ranging from apparel to specialty food companies. Well-known clients include Lululemon, The Container Store, Eddie Bauer, and Jeni’s Ice Cream. Recent deals often involve mergers, acquisitions, and growth financing that shape consumer-facing industries.

Examples of notable Financo clients:

• Lululemon
• The Container Store
• Eddie Bauer
• Jeni’s Ice Cream
• Ben Sherman
• Bombas

While specific transactions may vary, Financo’s deal history emphasizes partnerships with brands focused on consumer lifestyle, reflecting its reputation in the retail and fashion sectors.

What is the career path at Financo?

The Financo career path begins with entry-level roles like Associate Consultant or Financial Analyst and progresses through mid-level analyst and vice president roles up to Managing Director. Each stage builds responsibility, client exposure, and transaction expertise.

Typical career progression includes:

• Associate Consultant
• Financial Analyst
• Senior Investment Analyst
• Investment Banking Analyst
• Vice President
• Managing Director

This career ladder appeals to candidates seeking long-term growth in investment banking and consumer goods consulting, combining analytical rigor with industry specialization.

Does Financo offer internships for students?

Financo has offered summer internships that give students exposure to investment banking, deal flow, and client interaction. While program availability may vary, past interns were recruited through campus events and professional networks, often undergoing a similar interview process as full-time hires.

Key details about Financo internships:

• Typically offered in summer for college students
• Recruitment through on-campus events and referrals
• Process mirrors full-time interviews with behavioral and technical focus
• Hands-on experience with retail and consumer clients

An internship at Financo provides a strong foundation for entering consulting and investment banking careers.

What is the culture like at Financo?

Financo’s culture is fast-paced, collaborative, and centered around high deal flow in retail and consumer goods. Employees describe gaining significant responsibility early on, with strong networking opportunities but long and unpredictable hours.

Cultural highlights at Financo:

• Small team with close collaboration
• Exposure to high-profile retail and fashion clients
• Accelerated responsibility for junior staff
• Trade-off includes long hours and intense deadlines

This environment attracts candidates who thrive in dynamic settings and value hands-on learning.

How does the Financo interview process work?

The Financo interview process typically spans 2 to 3 weeks, starting with a phone screen followed by a “super day” with multiple rounds. Candidates face a mix of behavioral and technical questions, often tied to retail and consumer transactions.

Interview process highlights:

• Round 1: Phone screen with general behavioral and technical questions
• Round 2: Super day with up to four interviews with senior staff
• Focus: Mix of behavioral, technical, and deal-related questions
• Purpose: Assess skills while educating candidates about Financo’s niche

This process rewards candidates who combine technical expertise with knowledge of consumer-focused industries.

What are the average Financo salaries by role?

Financo salaries vary by position, with entry-level Associate Consultants earning about $93,000 annually and Managing Directors averaging $393,000. Compensation increases with seniority, reflecting greater responsibility, deal leadership, and client exposure.

Average Financo salaries by role:

• Associate Consultant: $93,000
• Financial Analyst: $105,000
• Senior Investment Analyst: $139,000
• Investment Banking Analyst: $169,000
• Vice President: $242,000
• Managing Director: $393,000

These figures help candidates compare pay across the consulting career path and evaluate Financo against broader industry benchmarks.

What exit opportunities do Financo consultants have?

Financo consultants often move into roles at retail companies, consumer goods firms, private equity, or venture capital organizations with a retail focus. Others transition to larger consulting firms serving consumer clients, leveraging their transaction and industry expertise.

Common exit opportunities include:

• Corporate strategy roles in retail and consumer companies
• Private equity and venture capital firms focused on consumer markets
• Lateral moves to other consulting or advisory firms
• Senior positions in merchandising or brand management

These exit paths show how experience at Financo creates long-term opportunities in both consulting and industry leadership.

Frequently Asked Answers

Q: What are the benefits of using Financo?
A: The benefits of using Financo include specialized expertise in investment banking, consumer goods consulting, and strategic advisory, helping clients with mergers and acquisitions, growth capital raising, and corporate restructuring.

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A: Piper Sandler is an investment banking and advisory firm that provides services in mergers and acquisitions, capital raising, and strategic advisory across industries such as healthcare, consumer, and financial services.

Q: What happened to SVB Leerink?
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Q: Who bought Leerink?
A: Leerink was acquired by Silicon Valley Bank in 2019 and later relaunched as Leerink Partners after SVB’s collapse, continuing as a boutique investment banking firm.