Canadian PE shops

By any means should be considered a top tier pe shop: lots of money (more than even the KKR, bstone, tpg's of the world could dream of) BUT they are not a great destination for one simple reason: comp

Because at the end of the day it is a pension fund, there is a limit to how much bonuses can be. On the other hand hours and lifestyle is fantastic. Classic old school pe, where a lot of your time is being spent being wined and dined by bankers.

Thanks, you are talking about OTPP?

How would you rank the others - any insight would be appreciated.

Onex's mid-cap group, ONCAP, is very well respected in their niche.

Richardson Partners is also pretty active.

Tricap (Brookfield's distressed/restructuring fund) is very good.

Some Tier 2 players include CAI (Toronto/Vancouver), Tricor (Vancouver), Kilmer (Toronto)

I'm guessing analysts at the bank-owned dealers can easily get into these PE shops after their 2 yr-stints?

Yes, should not be too bad especially if you have an Fin spon. or M&A background.

Generally, you can get the interview and then it is based on your skills and how you present yourself.

I'm just trying to determine how to compare the Tier 1 players in Canada - just not much info on them out there.

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140k-160k

I think Onex comp would be at ~200k, others tier 1 canadian PE shops would be 160-170k range.

Onex aside, most other Tier 1 PE shops seems to be pretty similar. Don't think you can go wrong with either of them - i guess the main key is to see their culture. Some are intense like a bank, others have a small group headed by a great individual that is well known in the industry.

are you referring to comp all-in or is that just base? if its just base, what would the bonuses look like for associates?

this is all-in comp.

I wouldve expected more for an associate in PE at a firm like Onex....after all, 3rd yr ibanking associates could be making 300+.......the drop in pay for the better lifestyle is definitely substantial.

is standard for an entry-level position at a pe shop. You've gotta compare the number to a 3rd year ibanking analyst

what range of compensation can 3rd yr associates at PE firms expect? I would guess that at that stage, they should be entitled to some type of carry correct?

Sounds like a great place to work, but how big a gap is there in term of compensation relative to an Onex or EdgeStone (i.e. at the analyst, associate levels). Also, what would the difference in hours be?

We deal with the Onex guys quite a bit. Top notch.

Onex pays well above any PE shop in canada, I would say comparable to top BB P/E in the US. I think they probably work longer and travel much more often.

The next top three: Edgestone, TorQuest, Birch Hill all pay mid to high 100's.

is it worth coming back? I went to target UK school and did work at an Ivy and now at a top boutique with experience at BB in London. Is it worth coming back to Toronto for Private equity? Is the volume of business there? Onex looks interesting and along my lines in terms of pedigree. What's your work/life balance and variety of clientele like?

I agree

190K