Best Private Equity Prep Course
March 3, 2025
Why Pursue a Private Equity Certification?
Entering Private Equity can be challenging and competitive. Private Equity Analysts usually do not come from a private equity background. They are typically recruited after participating in graduate training programs or full-time analyst training programs at consulting or investment banking firms. The skills developed during these training programs, as well as commercial acumen and networks built, help analysts in their roles within private equity. Very few firms recruit university undergraduates for PE roles directly. For those looking to break into this sector, obtaining a private equity certificate can be a game-changer. Private equity certificates offer several benefits to both newcomers and seasoned professionals. They provide a structured learning path, covering essential topics such as financial statement analysis, valuation, and leveraged buyouts (LBOs). These certificates not only enhance your resume but also demonstrate your commitment to mastering the intricacies of private equity.
Key Skills Required for Private Equity
Some essential skills for a private equity career include:
- Strong financial modeling and writing skills
- Assessing companies’ commercial potential
- Business and operations knowledge
- Presentation and relationship management skills
- Critical thinking from both micro- and macro-economic perspectives
Prepare for the Private Equity Recruitment Process
Funds don’t expect you to be an expert investor, but they do want you to understand why you’re choosing Private Equity over other areas of finance like Venture Capital or Hedge Funds. It’s important candidates understand financial modeling, LBOs, and M&A. LBO modeling exercises are key, in interviews candidates might not always be required to build full model, but they will be continually tested on the mechanics of an LBO and the broader assumptions needed to begin valuing a business.
Financial Edge’s Private Equity Associate Course
The Private Equity Associate course is a micro-degree program that offers a deep dive into the world of private equity. The course is meticulously designed to cover all aspects of private equity transactions, from foundational skills to advanced financial modeling and valuation techniques.
The course is divided into several modules, each focusing on a specific area of private equity:
Foundation Skills
This optional module helps increase Excel efficiency, master the math and statistics fundamentals that future courses rely upon. Excel is used extensively throughout the program for you to build practical experience with the theory. Work through the exercises faster and smarter with our shortcuts, formatting, tricks and more. You will also cover the financial math basics and statistics required to build a comprehensive understanding of the more advanced topics.
The PE Fund
The PE Fund is an introduction to Private Equity, exploring the place of PE within Private Markets as well as describing the asset class. Learn what PE funds are, the function and structure of a PE fund, as well as their most significant characteristics. How a PE fund is set up all the way through to how it functions as an investment company, as well as introducing the ways in which PE firms earn income from the funds they are managing.
The PE Accountant
Gain insights into the accounting principles specific to private equity transactions. The PE Accountant provides a comprehensive understanding of the techniques required to accurately present a company’s financial results. Learn to quickly and confidently interpret financial data and statements, evaluate them and use the calculated information to build high quality reports. Review how and why legal structures are set up in order for a private equity acquisition to take place in the most advantageous manner from a funding and tax perspective.
The PE Modeler
Develop advanced financial modeling skills, crucial for structuring complex add-on acquisitions in an LBO. Financial modeling is one of the most useful skills in the world of finance. Knowing how to build models quickly and error free is critical for the decisions and recommendations that they underpin. The PE Modeler provides the perfect introduction to financial modeling, developing multiple techniques for a comprehensive and practical understanding of the topic. The course then builds simple, followed by more in-depth, LBO models that allows us to assess an initial view on cash flow performance, debt ratios and returns to the private equity fund.
The Valuer
Understand various valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow (DCF) and weighted average cost of capital (WACC). Valuing a company or asset efficiently and accurately is a complex task, fundamental for many finance professionals. The Valuer program will rapidly develop participants’ valuation skills using real world examples. Learn how and when to utilize key valuation methodologies and their supporting calculations. Discover the intricacies of valuing companies in different sectors and how to prepare them for comparison.
The Lawyer
Explore the legal aspects of private equity deals. In the Lawyer, participants walk through all the important formal and legal documents used during a private equity acquisition phase. These all play a part in the process that starts with evaluating a target all the way to its acquisition. Review the final documentation process and elements that allows for transfer of a private equity target from the vendor to the owner. These documents are instrumental in finalizing the acquisition process. Understand the documentation requirements for leveraged finance transactions, which are applicable to the financing of PE investments.
The PE Deal
Dive into the intricacies of private equity transactions, from deal sourcing to execution. The PE Deal explores the various elements of a PE acquisition process starting from evaluating opportunities all the way to acquiring them, and post acquisition, including the steps along the way. Learn what happens within the PE fund during an acquisition. Deep dive into due diligence with a breakdown of the different areas of work, the format of work, and the parties and advisors involved. Finally, understand what happens to a PE deal once it has been acquired and integrated into a funds’ portfolio of companies.
The PE Interview
Prepare for private equity interviews with practical tips and mock interview scenarios. Private Equity is one of the most sought-after industries to work in. Join Nik Malik, co-founding Partner of a Captive Private Equity Firm and former Investment Professional, and Orlando Whippy, a top-level Private Equity Recruiter, as they help you to prepare for your next interview. Discover what firms are looking for, the key areas covered in Private Equity interviews, and how to prepare for your best pitch. This is all brought to life with an example of a successful interview. Watch as our candidate answers 5 technical questions asked in real PE interviews, with answers and detailed feedback, to help you understand what interviewers are looking for and how to give a great answer.
What Sets Private Equity Course Apart?
The course is recognized by industry experts and offers a Wall Street-recognized certification. One of the standout features of our Private Equity Course is its practical approach. From structure, through to process, all the way to documentation, we take a holistic look at what PE is, and how it’s all done. We’ll be touching on exactly what’s it like from the inside – such as how the firm is organized, to acquiring, controlling, and exiting investments.
Conclusion
Obtaining a private equity certificate, can open doors to exciting career opportunities in the finance sector. With its in-depth curriculum, practical exercises, and industry recognition, this course is an excellent investment for anyone looking to excel in private equity.