Private equity firms invest in companies that are not listed publicly and then work to grow or turn them around. Private equity firms typically raise funds through an https://partechsf.com/what-you-need-to-know-about-information-technology-by-board-room-discussion/ investment fund that has an established structure and distribution plan and invest the funds into their target companies. Investors in the fund are referred to as Limited Partners, and the private equity firm is the General Partner in charge of buying and selling the targets to maximize returns on the fund.

PE firms can be critiqued for being uncompromising and pursuing profits at every price, but they have years of management experience that allows them to improve the value of portfolio companies through improving the operations and other functions. For instance, they could guide new executive teams through the best practices for corporate strategy and financial management and assist in the implementation of streamlined accounting procurement, IT, and systems to reduce costs. They can also boost revenue and find operational efficiencies, which can help them increase the value of their assets.

Private equity funds require millions of dollars to invest, and it can take years to sell a business for a profit. As a result, the industry is extremely illiquid.

Working for a private equity firm usually requires prior experience in finance or banking. Entry-level associates work primarily on due diligence and financing, whereas junior and senior associates are focused on the relationship between the firm and its clients. In recent years, the compensation for these roles has risen.