Contract Financial Modeler — Private Equity, Credit & Debt
Full-time independent contractor role, 40 hours/week.
Overview
We are partnering with a U.S.-based technology company building advanced AI systems focused on financial modeling and decision-making.
The goal is to train AI to think like real financial professionals: how models are built from scratch, how assumptions are structured, and how investment and lending decisions are made using those models.
This is a hands-on Excel modeling role. You will build detailed financial models from a blank spreadsheet and clearly explain your logic.
Our primary need is private equity modeling. Credit and debt modeling are also major priorities.
This role IS:
Building financial models from a blank spreadsheet
Structuring transactions, assumptions, and drivers
Linking full model flows: operations → cash flow → debt → returns
Debugging and improving model accuracy
Explaining why a model works, not just producing outputs
This role is NOT:
Dashboards, reporting, or data visualization
FP&A focused on reporting, budgeting, or variance analysis
Reviewing credit without building models
High-level strategy without hands-on modeling
Using AI tools to generate models
Primary Focus: Private Equity
Experience at a private equity fund (direct investing, buy-side diligence, and portfolio company modeling) is strongly preferred. You should have built multiple full LBO models from scratch, including:
Sources & uses and transaction assumptions
Multi-tranche debt schedules (revolver, term loans, mezzanine, cash sweep)
Returns analysis: IRR, MOIC, and value creation drivers
Operating models with sensitivities, downside cases, and exit scenarios
Add-ons, dividend recaps, or refinancing scenarios (a plus)
Also Hiring: Credit & Lending
3-statement borrower models
Cash flow-based underwriting and debt capacity analysis
Covenant modeling (leverage, DSCR, interest coverage) and headroom testing
Downside and stress scenarios that drive a lending decision
Also Hiring: Debt & Leveraged Finance
Debt sizing and structuring
Amortization, PIK, cash sweeps, and refinancing mechanics
Private credit / direct lending deal models
Recovery analysis and payment waterfalls
What You'll Do
Build PE, credit, and debt models from scratch in Excel
Review and debug models built by others
Identify incorrect assumptions, broken logic, and risks
Analyze how operating performance flows through to debt service and returns
Clearly explain financial logic and decision-making
What Makes a Strong Candidate
2–10 years in finance roles with heavy, hands-on modeling
Buy-side experience at a PE fund, including deal diligence and investment committee materials backed by your own models
Direct experience in private equity, leveraged finance, sponsor coverage, private credit, direct lending, or credit underwriting
Proven ability to build models from a blank spreadsheet (no templates)
Experience building models that drove real investment or lending decisions
High attention to detail and model accuracy
Strong communication skills (English required)
Not a Fit If
Your experience is primarily:
Reviewing models, making small updates, or producing pitch decks, comps, or outputs
Valuation or DCF work without debt schedules or returns analysis
FP&A reporting, budgeting, or dashboards
Credit review without hands-on model building
BI tools, analytics workflows, or reporting automation
Or:
You have not built full financial models yourself
You rely heavily on templates, tools, or AI to generate models
You are not comfortable explaining your work in detail
Interview Process
All candidates complete a ~3-hour take-home Excel modeling exercise.
Designed to reflect real-world modeling work
Must be completed independently in Excel
Candidates who are hired will be paid for this exercise
Final Note
We especially encourage applications from private equity professionals, leveraged finance and sponsor coverage bankers, and private credit or direct lending professionals who have built full models from scratch. Candidates from investment banking or corporate finance will be considered only with top-tier backgrounds and hands-on LBO, debt, or credit modeling experience.