Gain the knowledge and job-ready skills you need to thrive in the competitive landscape of private equity.
Take a leap forward in your career by studying for the Private Equity Certificate. This intermediate level certificate in private equity focuses on practical skills and outcomes expected of an analyst or associate in a private equity firm. The Private Equity Certificate features financial modeling instruction and assignments developed in partnership with Financial Edge – a leading training provider for top private equity firms around the world.
Advance your subject matter expertise
Built on globally recognized CFA® Program content, the Private Equity Certificate gives you the job-ready skills you need to build robust LBO (leveraged buyout) models, leverage private market investing, assess deals, and define strategies for value creation in private equity. If you wish, you’ll be able to use the knowledge you gain as a foundation for more advanced studies, with the CFA Institute Advanced Private Equity Certificate launching in summer 2025.
Intermediate Level
Certificate
Receive a digital badge and certificate when you finish all courses and pass the final assessment.
Study time
Up to 125 hours
12-month access to coursework
Online self-paced
Complete all coursework when and where it works for you.
20 PL Credits
Members earn 20 qualified credits
Who should enroll
Ideal for analysts or associates in PE partnerships and those who aspire to be in these roles.
Course Price: USD 890.00
Why choose the Private Equity Certificate?
Enhanced insight
Familiarize yourself with the intricate detail around private equity models and speak about them with complete confidence.
Career advancement
Acquire the important practical ability needed to become an expert analyst or associate in a private equity firm.
Authoritative content
Focus your expertise with private equity training built on the industry-leading CFA Program.
Future-proof knowledge
Learn the key skills you need to become the investment professional of tomorrow.
Insights from experts
Benefit from the knowledge of established practitioners with a Private Equity Certificate developed by leaders in investment education.
Enhanced professional profile
Share your achievement on professional networks with a shareable digital badge and a printable certificate when you complete the Private Equity Certificate.
Who should enroll
Analysts or associates in private equity partnerships.
Investment banking analysts who wish to move to private equity.
Finance students who aspire to work in private equity.
Finance professionals transitioning from other sectors.
Courses and Final Assessment
Private Markets Essentials
Financial statement analysis, and financial modeling. In this course, you’ll learn to calculate bond metrics, understand the basics of derivatives for risk mitigation, distinguish business forms, analyze financial reports, forecast performance, and integrate financial statements for strategic forecasts.
Private Equity
Have a clear understanding of private equity, focusing on value creation and the synergy between private equity firms and portfolio company managers. You'll be equipped to navigate through private equity strategies for different company life stages, including venture capital, growth equity, and buyouts.
Private Debt for Private Equity Practitioners
Explores private debt instruments and their applications in take-private transactions, focusing on their structures, terms, conditions, and providers, and the broader financial ecosystem. You'll gain a comprehensive understanding of credit risk, methodologies for assessing corporate creditworthiness through both qualitative and quantitative lenses, and the implications for private debt valuation.
Intermediate Financial Modeling
Delve into the intricacies of private equity financial modeling. You’ll advance your skills in constructing financial models that accurately forecast company performance and facilitate effective valuation in a PE context.
GP Perspectives
Gain a comprehensive understanding of the roles and responsibilities of a general partner in managing private investment funds. You'll also be adept at discussing the mechanisms and strategies used by private investment firms to align interests with investors, evaluating fund performance, selecting investment opportunities, enhancing value within portfolio companies, and conducting due diligence while establishing business plans in the private investment process.
Final Assessment
The final assessment will be an online, open book assessment of 60 multiple choice questions. You will have 2 attempts to pass the final assessment and must achieve a passing score of 70%.
DOWNLOAD SYLLABUS
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Learn via engaging content and activities Work towards the Private Equity Certificate in the way most suitable for your learning style and schedule. Self-paced online learning Register and start studying straight away. You will have access to the content and activities, plus the final assessment, for 12 months from registration.
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Online Q&A To enhance your knowledge, the Private Equity Certificate includes live Financial Modeling Q&A sessions with an expert trainer.
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Further study Develop your skills further with the Advanced Private Equity Certificate, available in August 2025 (you will need to complete the Private Equity Certificate as a prerequisite).
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Not sure which level is right for you? Explore all private markets learning opportunities from CFA Institute.
