2011 compensation survey results

It’s hard to remember another time when the compensation of private equity professionals was such a hot button issue. Bain alumnus Mitt Romney’s run for president and the subsequent media scrutiny of his tax returns – all alongside regulators’ newfound curiosity in GP pay both in the US and abroad – has thrown a glaring spotlight on the issue. 

So when PE Manager presented the preliminary results of our annual compensation survey earlier this year at the 9th Annual Private Equity COOs and CFOs Forum in New York, we knew the figures would be received with great interest. 

This year for instance we’re able to reveal that your average private equity chief financial officer could expect to receive a total cash intake of around $418,000 in 2011. Chief operating officers reported taking home larger paychecks, on average hauling in some $470,000 last year. And unlike past surveys, everything from front office dealmakers right down to a firm’s receptionist were polled on compensation. 

The figures also suggest a sharp rise in pay over the last year. While an apples-to-apples comparison can’t be made from our prior surveys, the aforementioned 2011 averages suggest more CFOs and COOs have broken the $500,000 salary benchmark once more common during the industry’s golden period.

For our coverage of the results, click here.