Private equity jobs are among the most sought-after and competitive in finance. Because it's:
Your team will be able to do interesting social work by analyzing a range of industries.
You will be rewarded with higher salaries, generous bonus payments, and enviable carry interest.
Continuous learning about the different types of businesses and what it takes to make them successful.
Opportunities to build relationships and network in order to support career advancement.
This field offers many benefits. However, it is not difficult to see why there is fierce competition. Candidates need to make sure they have all the required qualifications and the right educational background. Let's start with the basics.
What is Private Equity?
Private equity firms buy businesses and make improvements to them before selling them at a profit. These firms raise capital from limited partners (LP) to buy these companies. Private equity is the name given to these investors because the companies they buy are either private or become private after the investment. This industry has a mix of fundraising, investing, and operational work.
Who are the Outside Investors?
They could be:
- Pension funds
- Endowments
- Family offices
- Insurance companies
- Individuals with a high net worth
Private equity owners may also invest their own money in the funds to ensure that their interests and those of the outsiders are aligned. PE firms manage the money raised and invest in the organization as a limited partnership.
Private Equity Requires Certain Qualifications
A bachelor's degree in finance or accounting is required for a career as a private equity analyst. Sometimes, an MBA is also necessary. While there are some entry-level jobs, most require experience in finance.
Private Equity Skills
Private equity is a highly lucrative career, but it is also notoriously difficult to get into. For beginners in PE, one would need to:
- Good commercial judgment and critical thinking when it comes to investments and companies.
- You will need to be able to model financial modeling, deal structuring, financial analysis, and LBO modeling.
- Communication skills are essential to communicate with financial teams
Private Equity Certifications
It is possible to be distinguished from the rest by earning private capital certifications. These certifications are beneficial to both beginners and professionals in PE. This certification will give you a better understanding and prepare you for any unexpected changes in the field.
You can get certifications in finance and private equity to help you succeed in this field.
- CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst)
- Chartered Private Equity Professional (CPEPTM).
- Certified Financial Planner (CFP)
- CIMA (Chartered Investment and Management Accountant)
To keep up with the changing skills and competencies in this field, candidates can obtain any of the certifications.
Private Equity Compensation and Work-Life Balance
It is impossible to earn great compensation while working fewer hours in this industry. Private equity analysts would work between 10 and 12 hours per day depending on their workload. This field is renowned for its attractive compensation. Preqin reports that senior associates and PE associates in the US earn between USD 100,000-250,000 a year. This is a significant amount of money compared to other jobs.