Whitley Penn’s team of trusted private equity advisory professionals provides strategic support for mission-critical mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures, both at the fund level and within portfolio companies. Our private equity advisory services include comprehensive buy-side and sell-side due diligence tailored to your specific transaction goals. We help identify and address issues specific to private equity early, reduce hidden risks throughout the transaction process, and position your portfolio for a healthy, profitable outcome.
We understand the unique complexities of private equity investing. Accurate financial reporting, disciplined tax compliance, and thoughtful transaction planning are essential to maintaining investor confidence and operational integrity. Through our private equity advisory approach, we deliver more than a successful transition, we provide actionable insights that strengthen governance, enhance transparency, and support long-term value creation for funds and portfolio companies alike.
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Why Choose Whitley Penn?
Why Choose Whitley Penn?
Private Equity Advisory Services
Deal Advisory
Our private equity advisory services support firms across the full transaction lifecycle, from deal sourcing through exit.
We deliver strategic buy-side and sell-side due diligence, quality of earnings analyses, and transaction structuring to help identify value drivers, assess risk, and execute transactions with confidence.
Audit
Our private equity advisory services provide valuable insights and assurance to investors, fund managers, and stakeholders in private equity through financial audits, internal control assessments, and evaluation of financial statements.
Our independent assessments build trust, attract capital, and foster sustainable growth in the private equity advisory space.
Advisory Services
Our Advisory Services support private equity firms through targeted private equity advisory that drives value by optimizing operations, enabling strategic growth, and strengthening portfolio performance.
We deliver process improvements, KPI dashboards, and market insights, while providing private equity advisory support for digital transformation, IT strategy, and cybersecurity initiatives.
Tax Structuring & Compliance
Our private equity advisory team provides U.S., multi-state, and international tax planning and compliance services across the fund structure for portfolio companies, funds, including multi-tiered structures, and upper-tier investors.
Our private equity advisory services include support with waterfall and promote allocations, as well as analysis of the tax impacts of cross-border and multi-state operations and transactions.
We also deliver due diligence and advisory services for mergers and acquisitions involving portfolio companies, including transaction structuring, entity analysis, and modeling of tax implications.
In addition, our private equity advisory services support investor relations and communications, working collaboratively with internal teams and external advisors such as fund counsel, outside attorneys, and treasury, accounting, valuation, and compliance professionals.
Wealth Management
Our private equity advisory services also include customized wealth management solutions designed to help private equity clients manage their financial goals with confidence.
Through our private equity advisory approach, we provide investment management, risk management, tax‑efficient strategies, and comprehensive financial planning to help grow, preserve, and transfer wealth across generations.
Fund Administration
Our private equity advisory professionals prepare fund financial statements and investor reporting to keep partners informed and aligned. As part of our private equity advisory services, we design and build distribution waterfalls to calculate fund allocations and model hypothetical liquidations.
We also offer a secure investor portal to streamline communications and simplify data sharing.
Valuation Services
Our Valuation Services team assists fund managers, sponsors and portfolio companies with a wide range of valuation services.
We deliver independent, well-supported valuations for deal analysis and decision making, financial reporting and tax compliance, and investor reporting.
Private Equity Consulting Services
Deal Advisory
Our private equity advisory services support firms across the full transaction lifecycle, from deal sourcing through exit.
We deliver strategic buy-side and sell-side due diligence, quality of earnings analyses, valuation services, and transaction structuring to help identify value drivers, assess risk, and execute transactions with confidence.
Audit
Our private equity advisory services provide valuable insights and assurance to investors, fund managers, and stakeholders in private equity through financial audits, internal control assessments, and evaluation of financial statements.
Our independent assessments build trust, attract capital, and foster sustainable growth in the private equity advisory space.
Tax Structuring & Compliance
Our private equity advisory team provides U.S., multi-state, and international tax planning and compliance services across the fund structure for portfolio companies, funds, including multi-tiered structures, and upper-tier investors.
Our private equity advisory services include support with waterfall and promote allocations, as well as analysis of the tax impacts of cross-border and multi-state operations and transactions.
We also deliver due diligence and advisory services for mergers and acquisitions involving portfolio companies, including transaction structuring, entity analysis, and modeling of tax implications.
In addition, our private equity advisory services support investor relations and communications, working collaboratively with internal teams and external advisors such as fund counsel, outside attorneys, and treasury, accounting, valuation, and compliance professionals.
Wealth Management
Our private equity advisory services also include customized wealth management solutions designed to help private equity clients manage their financial goals with confidence.
Through our private equity advisory approach, we provide investment management, risk management, tax‑efficient strategies, and comprehensive financial planning to help grow, preserve, and transfer wealth across generations.
Advisory Services
Our Advisory Services support private equity firms through targeted private equity advisory that drives value by optimizing operations, enabling strategic growth, and strengthening portfolio performance.
We deliver process improvements, KPI dashboards, and market insights, while providing private equity advisory support for digital transformation, IT strategy, and cybersecurity initiatives.
Fund Administration
Our private equity advisory professionals prepare fund financial statements and investor reporting to keep partners informed and aligned. As part of our private equity advisory services, we design and build distribution waterfalls to calculate fund allocations and model hypothetical liquidations.
We also offer a secure investor portal to streamline communications and simplify data sharing.
Valuation Services
Our Valuation Services team assists fund managers, sponsors and portfolio companies with a wide range of valuation services.
We deliver independent, well-supported valuations for deal analysis and decision making, financial reporting and tax compliance, and investor reporting.
Private Equity Advisory Impact
Let us assist you with:
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Quality of Earnings Analysis
We evaluate financial statements to ensure reported earnings are both accurate and sustainable. By focusing on critical areas such as revenue consistency and cash flows, we provide clear insights to help you make strategic investment decisions and maximize returns.
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Net Working Capital Analysis
We thoroughly analyze the details driving trends within inventory, receivables, and payables in order to present a clear picture of a company’s liquidity and efficiency. With our findings and insights, you can comfortably make informed decisions and optimize financial performance.
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Digital Services
We empower clients with Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) implementation to optimize portfolio company operations, cybersecurity to safeguard financial data, data analytics for enhanced performance tracking, and AI strategies to drive competitive advantage.
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Portfolio Valuation
We provide independent, well-supported valuations of portfolio assets to assist fund managers with financial and investor reporting requirements while supporting accurate decision making, regulatory compliance, transparency, and stakeholder confidence across reporting periods.
Trusted Technology Partners
By leveraging sophisticated, secure audit tools, our private equity advisory team enhances operational efficiency, reduces the burden of private equity fund audits on you and your portfolio teams, and allows our professionals to focus more time on analyzing the most critical aspects of your financial data.
A Map of Our Recent Projects
This map illustrates the geographic concentration of recent projects, highlighting areas where we have established work.
We also represent U.S. inbound clients from more than 50 jurisdictions and a variety of non-U.S. investors in funds.
Our Private Equity Advisory Team
Hover over their headshots to access their contact information. Click the right arrow to see more.
Our Private Equity Advisory Team
Hover over their headshots to access their contact information. Click the right arrow to see more.
AICPA SOC Compliant
We are AICPA SOC compliant, meaning our controls are independently tested to ensure strong governance, data security, and reliable financial and operational processes.
AICPA SOC Compliant
We are AICPA SOC compliant, meaning our controls are independently tested to ensure strong governance, data security, and reliable financial and operational processes.
Frequently asked questions
See below for answers to common Private Equity Advisory-related questions.
What experience does Whitley Penn have serving private equity firms and investment funds?
Whitley Penn supports private equity firms, investment funds, portfolio companies, multi-tiered fund structures, and upper-tier investors throughout the investment lifecycle. The firm’s Private Equity Advisory team provides deal advisory, audit, tax structuring and compliance, fund administration, advisory, valuation, and wealth management services to help clients address transaction risks, improve reporting, strengthen portfolio performance, and support investor communications.
Can Whitley Penn support both funds and portfolio companies?
Yes. Whitley Penn provides services for private equity funds, portfolio companies, multi-tiered funds, and upper-tier investors. The firm supports both fund-level and portfolio company-level needs through audit, advisory, tax, fund administration, wealth management, valuation, and deal advisory services.
What technology does Whitley Penn use to support private equity clients?
Whitley Penn leverages secure audit and collaboration technologies to enhance efficiency and streamline information sharing. The firm highlights technology relationships with Suralink, Validis, Alteryx, and DataSnipper. Whitley Penn also offers a secure investor portal to simplify communications and data sharing for fund administration clients.
How does Whitley Penn maintain service quality?
Whitley Penn is AICPA SOC compliant, meaning its controls, systems, and processes are assessed in alignment with the AICPA’s System and Organization Controls (SOC) framework. The firm also emphasizes risk-focused planning, technical issue resolution, timely completion, and consistent communication throughout engagements.
How does Whitley Penn support fund administration and investor reporting?
Whitley Penn prepares fund financial statements & investor reporting, portfolio valuations, designs and builds distribution waterfalls, calculates fund allocations, and models hypothetical liquidations. The team also supports investor relations and communications while providing a secure investor portal to streamline data sharing.
How can Whitley Penn help with fund administration?
Whitley Penn provides fund administration support that includes preparing fund financial statements, investor reporting, portfolio valuations, distribution waterfall calculations, fund allocations, and hypothetical liquidations. Whitley Penn also offers an investor portal to help streamline communications and data sharing.
Will partners be actively involved in our engagement?
Yes. Whitley Penn’s ownership model keeps partners directly involved, so clients work with invested professionals rather than layers of management. The Private Equity Advisory team includes dedicated leadership across deal advisory, tax, audit, and fund administration.
How does Whitley Penn onboard new private equity clients?
Whitley Penn follows a structured engagement approach that includes a firm-wide independence review, scheduling coordination through a secure portal, and a planning meeting to confirm scope, milestones, and expectations before fieldwork begins. The process is designed to support clear communication and timely execution.
Can Whitley Penn support international operations and cross-border transactions?
Yes. Whitley Penn provides U.S., multi-state, and international services and supports cross-border operations and transactions. Through the HLB International network, the firm brings global reach to clients with international business and investment needs.
What transaction advisory services does Whitley Penn provide?
Whitley Penn supports private equity firms across the full transaction lifecycle, from deal sourcing through exit. Services include buy-side and sell-side due diligence, Quality of Earnings analyses, valuation services, transaction structuring, net working capital analyses, and transaction-related tax advisory support.
How does Whitley Penn’s audit support help private equity firms build trust?
Whitley Penn provides financial audits, internal control assessments, and financial statement evaluations that deliver valuable insights and assurance to investors, fund managers, and stakeholders. These independent assessments help build trust, attract capital, and support sustainable growth.
How do I get started with Whitley Penn’s private equity services?
If your firm is preparing for a transaction, managing fund reporting, evaluating portfolio performance, or navigating tax and compliance needs, Whitley Penn can help identify the right combination of audit, advisory, tax, fund administration, wealth management, valuation, and deal advisory support for your goals.