Private Equity Accountants and Auditors
Overview
Introduction
Accountants compile, analyze, verify, and prepare financial records. Auditors ensure that financial records are accurate, complete, and in compliance with federal, state, and local laws. Accountants and auditors in the private equity (PE) sector are employed directly by PE firms, accounting firms that provide contracted services to PE firms, and the portfolio companies of PE firms.
Quick Facts
Median Salary
Employment Prospects
Minimum Education Level
Experience
Skills
Personality Traits
Earnings
In 2019, accountants with one to three years of experience earned between $52,750 and $98,500, according to Robert Halfs Salary Guide 2020—Accounting & Finance. Those with three to five years of experience earned between $61,500 and $116,750. Accountants with more than five years of experience earned between $70,000 and $133,250.
The U.S. Department of Labor reports that acc...
Work Environment
Accountants and auditors work in typical business office settings, although advances in technology now allow many to work from anywhere and at any time. In 2019, some accountants and auditors worked more than 40 hours per week, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, typically during tax season or at the end of the budget year.
Outlook
In its 2020 report, Robert Half explained that the accounting and finance profession was marked by low supply and high demand, which boded well for private equity accountants. In the corporate sector, the report noted that "hiring managers in nearly every industry are scrambling to find skilled accounting and finance professionals, especially CPAs." Robert Half also indicated that demand was st...