Career Path

Advance Your Career in Private Equity

Pursue a career in Private Equity with expert-led courses from CFI.
  • Build core skills in financial modeling, valuation, M&A, and deal execution.
  • Develop in-demand skills like advanced financial analysis, due diligence, and capital raising.
  • Stand out to employers with CFI's interview prep and resume resources.

Why Choose Private Equity

In Private Equity, you’re not just watching deals happen, you’re helping make them. As a Private Equity professional, you’ll dive deep into financial models, uncover growth opportunities, and be part of deal teams that transform businesses. It’s a fast-paced, intellectually demanding path that sharpens your analytical skills, broadens your strategic thinking, and opens doors to a career of influence in the world of high-stakes investing.

Venture Capital Career Profile

Growth Equity Career Profile

Strategic Value Creation

Private equity professionals acquire, improve, and grow companies to create long-term value.

High Earnings Potential

Offer competitive salaries, performance bonuses, and potential carried interest from successful investments.

Hands-On Business Leadership

PE roles involve working closely with portfolio company leaders to enhance operations, strategy, and profitability.

Diverse Career Pathways

Experience in private equity can lead to senior roles in portfolio companies, investment firms, or executive leadership.

Recommended Learning for Private Equity Careers

The Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA)® certification builds the advanced modeling, valuation, and strategic analysis skills essential for sourcing, executing, and managing private equity investments.

Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA®) Certification

4.9 (37,810 Ratings)
The Financial Modeling & Valuation Analyst (FMVA)® certification equips you with the modeling, valuation, and strategic analysis skills critical for private equity. You’ll learn to evaluate investment opportunities, structure leveraged buyouts, and assess portfolio performance, building the expertise needed to create long-term value for investors.
Skills You’ll Gain:
Financial Statement Analysis, Modeling, Accounting, Budgeting, Forecasting, Excel, PowerPoint, and more
  • FMVA® certification program
  • FMVA Program: 33 courses to earn FMVA certificate
  • Self-Paced & 100% Online
  • Get full FMVA certification, community, & more with a CFI membership
  • 210+ interactive exercises

Learn Advanced Private Equity Skills with additional Specializations

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Specialization

Accounting for Financial Analysts

Specialization

IB & PE Modeling Specialization

Specialization

AI For Finance

Specialization

Data Analysis in Excel

Accounting for Financial Analysts Specialization

4.9 (13,777 Ratings)
The ability to analyze and interpret financial statements, and understand the accounting implications of acquisitions, restructurings, and operational changes, is key to evaluating investment opportunities and monitoring portfolio performance. Strong accounting skills help PE professionals work closely with management teams to drive financial and strategic improvements.
Skills You’ll Gain:
Reading Financial Statements, Treatment of Leases & Inventory, Interpreting Complex Scenarios
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  • 11 courses to earn Accounting for Financial Analysts Specialization
  • Self-paced & 100% online
  • Get full Accounting for Financial Analysts Specialization, community, & more with a CFI membership

Investment Banking & Private Equity Modeling Specialization

4.8 (1,425 Ratings)
The Investment Banking and Private Equity Modeling Specialization develops the Excel, modeling, and valuation expertise essential for LBOs and portfolio management. You’ll build detailed financial models, apply multiple valuation methods, and assess financing structures to evaluate acquisitions, track KPIs, and support long-term growth.
Skills You’ll Gain:
Accounting, Advanced Financial Modeling, Excel, Financial Statement Analysis, Forecasting, Valuation, and more.
Great For:
Investment Banking, Private Equity, Equity Research, and more
  • Investment Banking & Private Equity Modeling Specialization
  • 11 total courses (11 required)
  • Self-Paced & 100% Online

AI For Finance Specialization

4.8 (171 Ratings)
AI helps private equity firms move faster, from finding promising targets to creating value in portfolio companies. The AI for Finance Specialization shows you how to combine advanced analysis with AI-driven insights to improve your modeling skills, track performance, and uncover efficiencies. With tools like ChatGPT and custom GPTs, you’ll make smarter, data-backed decisions that drive growth and deliver stronger returns.
Skills You’ll Gain:
Chat GPT, Gemini, LLMs, Prompt Engineering
  • AI for Finance Specialization
  • 9 total courses (8 required)
  • Self-Paced & 100% Online

Data Analysis in Excel Specialization

4.9 (23,949 Ratings)
The Data Analysis in Excel Specialization equips you to evaluate investments and track portfolio performance. You’ll apply advanced pivot tables, streamline data with Power Query, and design dashboards that highlight KPIs and value creation opportunities.
Skills You’ll Gain:
Advanced Data Techniques, Array Formulas, Power Pivot, Power Query, Basic Automation, Data Modeling
  • DAE program: 8 total, 5 required to earn DAE certificate
  • Self-paced & 100% online
  • Get this full program, community, & more with a CFI membership

Gain an advantage with our Private Equity Career Tools

Explore Private Equity and and how it fits into the world of finance.
  • Podcast interviews with Private Equity professionals
  • Career insights on Private Equity and the world of finance
  • Office hours with experts for Private Equity career questions
Test your skills and get interview ready with practical resources created by Private Equity experts.
  • Top Private Equity Interview Questions
  • Skills Assessments for Private Equity Topics
  • Interview Tips for Private Equity
Create and enhance your resume with AI assisted tools before finding a job in Private Equity.
  • Resume Templates for Private Equity
  • AI Powered Resume Builder
  • Private Equity Job Postings (Coming Soon)

Immerse Yourself in the World of Private Equity

Explore Private Equity-specific resources to hear from professionals, learn more about the industry, and download useful Excel templates.
Articles
Podcasts
Templates & Exercises
Buyout Equity Career Profile
Buyout Equity Career Profile
Buyout Equity Career Overview Private equity (PE) is a common career progression for…
Written by Jeff Schmidt
Key Private Equity Interview Questions To Master
Key Private Equity Interview Questions To Master
Private Equity Interview Guide: Questions and Answers This guide will help you prepare…
Written by Tim Vipond, FMVA
Leveraged Buyout (LBO)
Leveraged Buyout (LBO)
What is a Leveraged Buyout (LBO)? In corporate finance, a leveraged buyout (LBO) is a…
Written by CFI Team
LBO Model
LBO Model
What is an LBO Model? An LBO model is a financial tool typically…
Written by Tim Vipond, FMVA
Paper LBO Example: A Tutorial for Private Equity Interviews
Paper LBO Example: A Tutorial for Private Equity Interviews
What is a Paper LBO? A paper LBO (leveraged buyout) is a simplified…
Written by Jeff Schmidt
Buyout Equity Career Profile
Written by Jeff Schmidt
Buyout Equity Career Profile
Buyout Equity Career Overview Private equity (PE) is a common career progression for…
Read more
Key Private Equity Interview Questions To Master
Written by Tim Vipond, FMVA
Key Private Equity Interview Questions To Master
Private Equity Interview Guide: Questions and Answers This guide will help you prepare…
Read more
Leveraged Buyout (LBO)
Written by CFI Team
Leveraged Buyout (LBO)
What is a Leveraged Buyout (LBO)? In corporate finance, a leveraged buyout (LBO) is a…
Read more
LBO Model
Written by Tim Vipond, FMVA
LBO Model
What is an LBO Model? An LBO model is a financial tool typically…
Read more
Paper LBO Example: A Tutorial for Private Equity Interviews
Written by Jeff Schmidt
Paper LBO Example: A Tutorial for Private Equity Interviews
What is a Paper LBO? A paper LBO (leveraged buyout) is a simplified…
Read more
Careers in Finance | Eric S. Byunn
In this episode of Careers in Finance on FinPod, we sit down with…
Written by CFI Team
What's New at CFI | IB/PE Specialization
In this episode, Meeyeon, Jeff, and Duncan discuss the newly launched specialization in…
Written by CFI Team
Written by CFI Team
Careers in Finance | Eric S. Byunn
In this episode of Careers in Finance on FinPod, we sit down with…
Read more
Written by CFI Team
What's New at CFI | IB/PE Specialization
In this episode, Meeyeon, Jeff, and Duncan discuss the newly launched specialization in…
Read more
Leveraged Finance Template
Leveraged Finance Template
Leveraged Finance Template This leveraged finance template shows the calculation of the internal…
Written by CFI Team
Leveraged Finance Template
Written by CFI Team
Leveraged Finance Template
Leveraged Finance Template This leveraged finance template shows the calculation of the internal…
Read more

Private Equity Graduates Work in Leading Organizations

CFI’s Private Equity graduates work for top firms worldwide—across industries such as technology, financial services, automotive, and consumer goods.

Trusted by 2.8 Million+ professionals worldwide.

Over 75% of CFI learners report improved productivity or competency within weeks.

"Probably the best online course I’ve ever attended"

Probably the best online course I’ve ever attended. The value for money is immense. I was a bit skeptical at the beginning because I already own an MBA, I would have liked just to refresh some concepts. The program is very hands-on, it spans so many interesting topics that it makes me wonder to go deep studying them. The teachers are very clear. In answering, the customer service is quicker than amazon prime with its deliveries.

"Strongly recommend to everyone who…"

Strongly recommend to everyone who wants to receive new careers opportunities and enhance their knowledge in finance. CFI FMVA is perfect opportunity for everyone to obtain neccessary and strong background in financial modeling and valuation of companies. CFI helped me a lot with providing a financial aid and now my profile as a finance specialist is much more attractive and I receive additional confidence in my valuation skills. Thanks to everybody in the CFI team for creating such brilliant courses.
Student's photo

"Excellent Course!!!"

This course was very detailed and structured. I would definitely recommend this Certification for any budding Financial Analyst.

"Perfect for getting ahead at work!"

I love how detailed the videos are and the step by step instructions.
Student's photo

"Best Finance Institute"

This is a really practical guide to know everything about Corporate Finance. It is deep and solid enough to know how to use advanced concepts and get the best out of your work.
Student's photo

"Too good to be true!"

I have had the honor of completing the FMVA course and I am very pleased with the amount of knowledge that I have gained. The tutorship is excellent and is enhanced by detailed explanations all done in a step by step manner and video presentation to boot! There are many assignments along the way to test your ongoing development and there is no hustle to do anything. You can take your time, repeat your lessons as much as you like. This is one of the most comprehensive of courses, yet enjoyable and packed with information that otherwise may take you years to learn. I will gladly recommend this course to anyone.

Ready to Launch Your Private Equity Career?

Get certified by CFI and join millions of successful finance professionals.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you haven’t found your answer from our FAQ, please send us a message.
What is Private Equity and what do Private Equity professionals do?
Private equity (PE) is investing directly in companies, usually buying them privately rather than through the stock market, with the goal of improving their value and selling them later for a profit. PE firms raise money from investors, buy businesses, make operational or financial improvements, and then exit through a sale or IPO.
Is a career in Private Equity right for me?
If you enjoy analyzing companies, working in Excel, creating valuation models, assessing market conditions, and comparing companies, Private Equity might just be a fit for you.
Do I need a finance degree to work in Private Equity?
Often, a degree does help you get started in the industry, but just as importantly, you'll need to demonstrate practical, job-ready skills like Excel modeling, valuation, and business analysis. CFI’s training focuses on job-ready skills and certifications that hiring managers trust, regardless of your educational background.
Will these certifications help me get a job in Private Equity?
Yes. CFI’s certifications are trusted by top employers across the industry. You’ll also gain access to resume building tools, interview prep, and career guidance specific to Private Equity.
Can this help me advance in my current finance role?
Absolutely. Whether you're in accounting, business analysis, or another finance role, Private Equity & Valuation skills in particular can unlock new responsibilities and higher-paying positions. Many CFI learners move from junior analyst roles into manager and director-level positions after completing the FMVA Certification & related specializations.
What makes CFI’s Private Equity related courses different from other courses?
To get started in this career path, you'll need strong Excel skills for modeling and analysis, a solid understanding of valuation techniques, the ability to analyze financial statements, and effective communication and presentation skills. CFI’s FMVA certification is designed to help you build exactly these skills at your own pace.
Is this training NASBA accredited or CPE eligible?
Yes. CFI is NASBA-accredited and offers over 550 verifiable CPD/CPE credits, including credits for the above listed courses. This is ideal for finance professionals who need to maintain certifications, stay compliant, or continue developing their skills throughout their career.
Do I get a certificate? Will it show on LinkedIn?
Yes. After completing each certification or specialization, you’ll receive a digital certificate you can add to your LinkedIn profile, resume, and job applications to show employers your verified skills.
If you haven’t found your answer from our FAQ, please send us a message.
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