The team of specialists comprising J.H. Cohn’s Private Equity Services Practice understands the unique needs and challenges of middle-market private equity firms, their M&A process, and the issues surrounding their portfolio companies. Our specialists have the expertise and technical knowledge that private equity firms need from their professional advisors before, during, and after the deal.
Our team provides a full variety of services to private equity firms including audit and tax services to the fund and its portfolio companies, M&A services, and value enhancement services such as risk management and insurance reviews, benefits consulting, and corporate governance/internal audit assistance. The Firm’s comprehensive offerings provide private equity clients with numerous competitive advantages throughout the private equity lifecycle, including fund development and portfolio growth and divestiture.
In today’s economy, a strong relationship between the private equity community and J.H. Cohn produces significant rewards for private equity funds, portfolio companies, and J.H. Cohn clients, including cost-effective fee structures; middle-market private equity expertise; a strong client-Firm advocacy relationship; and value enhancement services that have a positive impact on the portfolio’s bottom line.
Creating a bridge between private equity and our clients
J.H. Cohn is a strong advocate of the advantages that private equity can bring to our clients. As a result, we are one of the few accounting firms who actively seek out clients who may be suitable for a private equity investment. To accomplish this goal, we have instituted many internal communication initiatives including a Private Equity Spotlight, private equity industry niche events, J.H. Cohn deal connections, and preemptive private equity client introductions.
Fund Services
J.H. Cohn provides the fund-level resources and expertise to help private equity funds through all phases of fund development and growth.
During the start-up phase, J.H. Cohn can assist with:
- Partnership agreements
- Private placement memorandums
- Other offering documents
- Structural advice and expertise
Once the funds are operational, services may include:
- Annual financial statement audits
- Performance reviews
- Preparation of partnership economic and tax allocations
- Preparation of tax returns
- Quarterly compilation or review of financial statements
Additionally, our Cayman Islands office enables us to provide audit services for Cayman Islands registered funds.
Mergers and Acquisition Services
Mergers and acquisition services provided by J.H. Cohn for its private equity clients include due diligence services, financial modeling and valuation support, post-acquisition integration advisory and support, M&A consultation services, purchase price dispute, and tax structuring and optimization.
Our M&A Services Practice provides best-in-class due diligence support to effectively position our clients for a successful acquisition engagement by implementing a program that places strong emphasis on the financial, accounting, and operational aspects of the acquisition, recognizing that all financial and operational decisions and outcomes are directly correlated and that decisions made in one area, impact other areas of business.
We can manage your entire due diligence process, providing the coordination and communication management necessary to ensure a smooth, efficient process. In addition to traditional financial and tax due diligence, we offer the following due diligence services:
- Information technology
- Risk management and insurance
- Human resources and benefits
- Market and competitive industry analyses
- Strategic, operational, and logistical analyses
Portfolio Services
J.H. Cohn offers its clients a wide range of portfolio services. While we are a nationally recognized firm in the area of performing audits, reviews, and compilations to assist businesses in fulfilling reporting requirements, our accountants and consultants are also frequently finding ways to improve general business practices, operating efficiencies, and fiscal policies in the process.
J.H. Cohn services include:
- Tax planning and compliance – domestic and international
- Business consulting/operational/IT reviews
- Corporate governance and IPO readiness assistance
- Internal audit
Value Enhancement Services
Value enhancement services offered by J.H. Cohn’s Private Equity Services Practice include:
Benefits Consulting
We are prepared to assist your company with every phase of employee benefits and pension plan consulting, including pension plans services overview, pension plan management, retirement plan services, welfare consulting and planning, and private client services.
Business Investigation Services
J.H. Cohn's nationally acclaimed, multidisciplinary, results-focused Business Investigation Services (BIS) Group provides the following services: Bankruptcy and Restructuring; Turnaround and Crisis Management; Forensic Accounting and Litigation Support; Merger and Acquisition Services; and Business Valuations.
Often called upon for the most difficult and complex cases, the BIS Group helps its clients achieve results in the most challenging of situations. The Group has assisted clients and their counsel in developing strategies that have resulted in favorable judgments and/or settlements both in and out of the court system.
Cost Segregation Studies
A Cost Segregation Study (CSS) is a tax-deferral strategy that lowers current income tax liabilities by accelerating depreciation on all eligible costs associated with past, present, or future acquisitions, construction, or building renovations. It is critical that professionals with the requisite knowledge of the tax laws and IRS guidelines, along with qualified engineers, conduct your CSS.
Cost segregation provides an opportunity to significantly reduce your current income taxes and improve cash flow. A CSS can be performed for:
- Expanded or renovated property
- Property acquisitions (current or prior year)
- Newly constructed property
- Tenant leasehold improvements
- Inherited property with stepped-up basis
J.H. Cohn has the in-house expertise, from both a tax and engineering perspective, to perform a CSS on any commercial or residential property.
Executive Search
With more than 40 years of experience in the executive search business, we’ve had great success placing experienced and qualified candidates in CFO, COO, CIO, and project manager positions. We recruit for all industries and disciplines, including finance, operations, IT, engineering, sales, marketing, and manufacturing.
Information Technology
As your business grows, so do your information technology needs, and J.H. Cohn can provide you with appropriate IT services for your business lifecycle. We’ll analyze your infrastructure, evaluate current processes/applications, and deliver flexible solutions within the context of your strategic plan.
Key Employee Life and Disability Insurance
Cohn Wealth Management, a J.H. Cohn-affiliated company, can provide independent advice and optimal pricing for key employee life and disability insurance, helping to mitigate costs and problems that could arise from the death or disability of a key employee.
Real Estate
Cohn Real Estate, a J.H. Cohn-affiliated company, helps clients incorporate real estate decisions into their business planning, executing a pragmatic strategy that improves bottom-line results. Services include corporate site selection, development advisory services and implementation support, lease audits, and market feasibility and demographic analyses, in addition to traditional transaction-based activities.
Risk Management
Cohn-UIC, a Cohn Affiliated Company, brings independence, proper competition, and technical skills to the risk management process. We can provide an objective, independent risk management review of your portfolio’s policies in areas such as workers compensation, property, liability, directors’ and officers’ insurance, and automobile coverage.