Private equity CFOs play expanded role in facilitating growth despite formidable regulatory challenges through strategic investment in process and technology

NEW YORK, Jan. 22, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Confronted with numerous changes that affect their business model, most CFOs at private equity firms recognize that global regulation and compliance, as well as operational efficiency, are the top challenges facing their firms over the next two years, according to Navigating the headwinds, EY's inaugural global private equity survey in collaboration with PEI. Despite these challenges, CFOs are optimistic about future opportunities and growth, and have been responding to the changing environment by increasing investments in process and technology.

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The survey documents the views, insights and observations of 105 private equity fund CFOs and finance executives from Asia, Europe and North America among all different asset classes, and was conducted between August and November 2013.

Jeff Bunder, EY's Global Private Equity leader, says: "CFOs believe the industry will continue to grow and five years out, PEs that have withstood the financial crisis will continue to flourish. With 80% of firms surveyed having raised capital in the last four years, CFOs are bullish about future investment opportunities. They are also looking to raise additional capital in the next few years."

"We were encouraged to learn that most CFOs feel that the most difficult times are behind them," commented Arleen Buckley, Director of US Conferences at PEI.  "And that while uncertainties loom with respect to regulation and compliance across various jurisdictions, CFOs feel they have the knowledge and power to be an effective partner in the stewardship of their firms."

Key findings from the survey include:

Regulation and compliance remain a key concern

For 45% of CFOs, regulation and compliance is at the top of the list of their concerns for 2014.They also cited the increased regulatory demands have put a strain on their firm's resources and have limited their ability to focus on key priorities. Forty percent of respondents said that regulatory issues hinder their ability to oversee operational efficiency. As a result of regulatory changes, 83% of CFOs expect to see an increase in costs.

Improving operational efficiency while adding limited headcount

With regard to headcount for performing functions such as fund accounting, investor relations, tax, technology, valuation and human resources, CFOs said they plan to hire fewer professionals in the next few years. In areas where they plan to hire, CFOs are looking for talent with specialized competencies, such as fund accounting (26%), investor relations (24%), compliance/risk management (17%) and portfolio analytics (17%). More than two-thirds of the firms (72%) said they currently outsource or expect to outsource technology functions, while 66% say they already outsource tax functions.

Scott Zimmerman, EY's Private Equity Assurance leader, Americas, says: "As regulatory and investor demands continue to grow, CFOs are tasked with doing more with less and using innovative thinking to ensure operations are running effortlessly and creating opportunities that allow their firms to stay competitive in the industry."

CFOs highly involved in valuation and financial reporting

In addition to managing increased regulatory demands, firms are also looking to CFOs to enhance their valuation process through developing and implementing formalized policies and procedures. Of the firms surveyed, 65% have valuation committees, with 72% of CFOs highly involved in the valuation process. More than three-quarters of firms currently validate portfolio company operating results through discussions with the investment teams or through comparison of board materials with management, but may look to an automated solution in order to save time and costs.

When participants were asked to describe their firms' current practices for disclosing information contained in quarterly financial statements, they unanimously reported that a standard has not yet been developed. In Asia, 67% of CFOs reported that they do not include footnotes in their quarterly financial statements, a practice that can often enable CFOs to alleviate one-off requests from investors.

To gain perspective on CFOs' key priorities, the survey also asked participants to rank the factors that were used to review their job performance. Most CFOs said providing value to investment professionals (60%) and investors (44%) was most important, providing further evidence that the role of the CFO has expanded.

About PEI

PEI is the only global B2B information group focused exclusively on private equity, private real estate, private debt and infrastructure. As these four asset classes continue to grow in scale and significance – for investors, fund managers, financial practitioners and other service industries globally – so PEI is positioned to provide unparalleled business knowledge and intelligence to these communities.

With offices in London, New York and Hong Kong, PEI publishes five globally-recognized magazines alongside five news websites, manages one of the most extensive set of databases dedicated to alternative assets, publish a large library of specialist books and directories, and run more than 30 market-leading conferences globally including the annual Private Equity CFOs and COOs forum in New York. They are the leading specialist information provider dedicated to alternative assets. For more information, visit www.thisispei.com

EY is a leader in serving the global financial services marketplace

Nearly 35,000 EY financial services professionals around the world provide integrated assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services to our asset management, banking, capital markets and insurance clients. In the Americas, EY is the only public accounting organization with a separate business unit dedicated to the financial services marketplace. Created in 2000, the Americas Financial Services Office practices today include more than 6,500 professionals at member firms in over 50 locations throughout the US, the Caribbean and Latin America. EY professionals in our financial services practices worldwide align with key global industry groups, including EY's Global Wealth & Asset Management Center, Global Banking & Capital Markets Center, Global Insurance Center and Global Private Equity Center, which act as hubs for sharing industry-focused knowledge on current and emerging trends and regulations in order to help our clients address key issues. Our practitioners cover many disciplines and provide a well-rounded understanding of business issues and challenges, as well as integrated services to our clients.

With a global presence and industry-focused advice, EY's financial services professionals provide high-quality assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services, including operations, process improvement, risk and technology to financial services companies worldwide.

About EY

EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, transaction and advisory services. The insights and quality services we deliver help build trust and confidence in the capital markets and in economies the world over. We develop outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, we play a critical role in building a better working world for our people, for our clients and for our communities.

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SOURCE EY