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Benjamin Bryer, CFA, Finance Expert in West Chester, PA, United States
Benjamin Bryer, CFA

Finance Expert in West Chester, PA, United States

Member since August 11, 2020
A CFA charterholder and MBA candidate at NYU, Ben has nearly ten years of buy-side investment experience. Having worked in both institutional asset management and private equity, he has been involved with a wide variety of M&A transactions, ranging from the buyout of a sub-$10 million family-owned business to Dell's $67 billion acquisition of EMC. As a freelancer, Ben helps clients with M&A-related projects, specializing in due diligence, financial modeling, valuation, and deal structuring.
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Career Highlights

Education

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Case studies

Expertise

Employment

  • Founder | Managing Partner

    2019 - PRESENT
    Highspire Holdings, LLC
    • Provided buy-side and sell-side clients with a full suite of merger and acquisition (M&A) advisory services, including due diligence, financial modeling, valuation, and transaction structuring.
    • Collaborated with partners to develop lower middle market buyout investment strategies based on insights gained from rigorous proprietary research.
    • Managed each component of the investment process, including deal sourcing, due diligence, negotiation, structuring, and financing.
    • Constructed dynamic leveraged buyout (LBO) models to forecast acquisition target financial performance under multiple operating scenarios and evaluate capital structure alternatives.
    • Assisted with portfolio company management and oversight; developed and supported the execution of portfolio company business plans and strategic initiatives.
    Focus areas: Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Leveraged Buyout (LBO), Private Equity, Due Diligence, M&A (Buy-side), M&A Modeling, Small & Medium-sized Enterprises (SME), Financial Modeling, Valuation, Entrepreneurial Finance, Market Research, Credit Analysis, Business Planning, Discounted Cash Flow (DCF), Scenario Analysis, Financial Forecasting, Leveraged Buyout Modeling, Investment Research, Industry Analysis, Cash Flow Analysis, Operations, Due Diligence Consultant, Cash Flow Modeling, Discounted Cash Flow Analysis, Capital Structuring, Pro Forma Analysis, Asset Management, Forecasting, Accounting, Financing, Investment Analysis, Investments, US GAAP, Trade Finance, Credit/Debt, Private Company Valuation

  • Senior Associate

    2018 - 2019
    Main Line Equity Partners
    • Participated in all stages of the deal lifecycle, including origination, due diligence, negotiation, and fundraising; controlled the due diligence process for new investment and strategic partnership opportunities.
    • Performed business valuation analyses using discounted cash flow (DCF), comparable precedent transactions, and leveraged buyout valuation methodologies.
    • Created one-page teasers, credit packages, and investor presentations used to secure financing from capital providers.
    • Supported portfolio company management by creating business plans, conducting ad hoc analyses, and providing on-site managerial support.
    • Led the inorganic growth initiative associated with a unique platform company within the industrial supplies wholesale market.
    • Designed and implemented a cloud-based inventory management system to enable eCommerce sales and provide employees with real-time data to improve decision-making.
    Focus areas: Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Deal Sourcing, Deal Execution, Due Diligence, Financial Modeling, Leveraged Buyout (LBO), Leveraged Buyout Modeling, Small & Medium-sized Enterprises (SME), Valuation, Operations, Private Equity, Entrepreneurial Finance, Market Research, Credit Analysis, Business Planning, Discounted Cash Flow (DCF), Scenario Analysis, Financial Forecasting, Investment Research, Industry Analysis, Cash Flow Analysis, M&A (Buy-side), Due Diligence Consultant, Cash Flow Modeling, Discounted Cash Flow Analysis, Capital Structuring, Pro Forma Analysis, Asset Management, Forecasting, Accounting, Financing, Investment Analysis, Investments, US GAAP, Trade Finance, Credit/Debt, Private Company Valuation

  • Credit Research Associate (Structured Finance)

    2015 - 2018
    Vanguard Group, Inc.
    • Directed asset-backed security (ABS) research, helping to manage the $19 billion ABS position held across Vanguard's active and index fixed income portfolios (2017–2018).
    • Orchestrated the fundamental credit review of new-issue ABS transactions. Corresponded with senior leaders of the sponsoring company and investment bankers to analyze the collateral quality and evaluate the structural mechanics of the transaction.
    • Constructed financial models to perform tranche-specific cash flow analysis on deals in the primary and secondary markets; prepared and disseminated internal credit memos to portfolio managers and traders.
    • Invested in deals sponsored by companies in a wide variety of industries and collateralized by both traditional and highly-esoteric assets, such as coin-counting kiosks, tugboats, and franchised quick-service restaurant royalties.
    • Conducted in-depth sector research on the subprime auto, student loan, and leveraged loan markets; presented analyses to the chief investment officer (CIO) and other senior leaders of Vanguard's investment management group.
    • Monitored all investment positions within Vanguard's $30 billion structured products portfolio (2015–2016).
    Focus areas: Structured Products, Structured Finance, Financial Modeling, Cash Flow Analysis, Cash Flow Modeling, Investment Research, Due Diligence, Credit Analysis, Credit Risk, Investment Thesis, Research, Financial Writer, Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A), Valuation, Market Research, Discounted Cash Flow (DCF), Scenario Analysis, Financial Forecasting, Leveraged Buyout Modeling, Industry Analysis, Operations, Leveraged Buyout (LBO), Due Diligence Consultant, Discounted Cash Flow Analysis, Capital Structuring, Pro Forma Analysis, Asset Management, Forecasting, Accounting, Financing, Investment Analysis, Investments, US GAAP, Trade Finance, Credit/Debt, Private Company Valuation

  • Investment Grade Credit Research Associate

    2014 - 2016
    Vanguard Group, Inc.
    • Generated in-depth fundamental credit research on issuers within the insurance, banking, and asset management sectors; supported senior analysts, portfolio managers, and traders on the investment grade team.
    • Built, maintained, and managed financial models used to facilitate new deal analysis, monitor current holdings, and generate company-specific and sector-level relative value recommendations.
    • Conducted scenario analysis and ad-hoc research projects on topical issues.
    Focus areas: Credit Analysis, Credit Risk, Financial Statements, Pro Forma Analysis, Pro Forma Financial Statements, Financial Analysis, Investment Briefs, Investment Ideas, Investment Research, Financial Modeling, Due Diligence, Valuation, Market Research, Discounted Cash Flow (DCF), Scenario Analysis, Financial Forecasting, Leveraged Buyout Modeling, Industry Analysis, Cash Flow Analysis, Operations, Leveraged Buyout (LBO), Due Diligence Consultant, Cash Flow Modeling, Discounted Cash Flow Analysis, Capital Structuring, Asset Management, Forecasting, Accounting, Financing, Investment Analysis, Investments, US GAAP, Credit/Debt

Education

  • Master's Degree in Business Administration (MBA)
    2019 - 2021
    NYU Stern School of Business - New York, NY
  • Bachelor' Degree in Business Administration and English (Double Major)
    2007 - 2011
    University of Richmond - Richmond, VA

Certifications

  • Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA)
    FEBRUARY 2016 - PRESENT
    CFA institute

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