Completed CFA several years ago, and wonder if within PE makes sense to invest time and money in a good Master or Qualification, or alternatively, it is far better to became an LBO modeller expert.
Please share your views.
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My opinion is that PE is all about apprenticeship. Nothing beats time in the job finding opportunities, pricing deals, being the trenches in DD and then the actual job of driving value and eventual exit. As long as you have a solid foundation in finance (which it sounds like you do) would suggest perfecting your craft is better use of your discretionary time.
Can't remember where I heard the quote (Naval maybe) about what is taught in the class room is by definition commodity. Learn what can't be taught easily.
I think you may suggest paying attention to the hidden rules?
Agree. I got the same advice from a lady in PE. We didnt get along but when I asked her about CFA and so on she said “in PE no one cares about your qualifications. Can you close deals or not?”
Agree re "can you close deals or no"? but you need some basic foundations anyway. What are the most important things you learnt from this layd (even you did not get along, any advice how to work with these people without issues?)
She made it to mid tier firm without good university or any qualifications and she basically said she kept getting promotions because she was better than others. She is obviously biased and her views go against the common path we discuss here (top IB, top MBA, “megafunds”)
I cant give you advice lol I havent even worked in PE. Just networked a bit when her team was recruiting. They’re all normal people idk.
The thing is I mostly do Primaries investments and 20-30% of my time Co-investments. I agree that as being involved in as many deals as possible will defo help.
However, my team takes long to source potential co-investments, so I wanted to ask what you did to perfect your deal experience on your discretionary time? I want to improve faster and just do not wait until next co-investment come along.
Any suggestions are more than welcome.
Your deal sheet. Have a breakdown of every deal you have touched and your role. Nothing else really matters. CFA doesn’t hold a bar to anyone who is coming from IB or MBB.
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