The Top 5 Reasons

Why Private Equity Deals Fail in the First 120 Days

Inadequate Accounting Systems and Financial Oversight

Poor accounting systems and lack of financial oversight are common failure points. Outdated or incomplete financial reporting systems lead to inaccurate data, poor decision-making, and cash flow mismanagement. Without clear financial visibility, management and the PE firm struggle to identify issues early.
Solutions:

PE firms should prioritize modern accounting systems that provide real-time financial insight. Regular financial reviews, clear KPIs, and scalable tools ensure better decision-making and accountability.

inadequate accounting systems and finanacial oversight - conexus
systems and operational inefficiencies - conexus

Systems and Operational Inefficiencies

Legacy systems and inefficient operations hinder growth and can lead to costly delays and errors. These inefficiencies can prevent companies from scaling or meeting performance targets, wasting valuable resources.
Solutions:

A thorough systems audit during due diligence is essential. Developing a road map to modernize technology and optimize workflows, while investing in automation and data analytics, sets a foundation for scalable growth.

Excessive
Debt Load

A high debt load can cause liquidity problems and pressure management to focus on short-term gains, undermining long-term growth. Over-leveraging can lead to operational cutbacks and even bankruptcy if debt obligations are not met.
Solutions:

PE firms should carefully assess the company's debt capacity and structure the deal to ensure flexibility for growth. Post-acquisition, managing debt with a realistic repayment plan ensures financial stability and operational freedom.

excessive debt load - conexus
lack of clear roadmap and aligned goals - conexus

Lack of Clear Roadmap and Aligned Goals

Failure to align on long term and short term goals and strategy between the PE firm and management leads to confusion, missed deadlines, and lack of progress. Without a clear, agreed-upon roadmap, execution can falter.
Solutions:

A clear measurable roadmap both short-term and long-term goals should be established. Regular performance review and a structured timeline help ensure that everyone is aligned and accountable.

Weak Management Team and
Cultural Issues

A weak or misaligned management team can derail progress. Cultural clashes between the PE firm and portfolio company leadership can cause resistance to change and poor execution.
Solutions:

PE firms should evaluate the management team before acquisition, ensuring strong leadership with the right skills and cultural fit. Open communication and fostering unified company culture can drive better decision-making and execution.

weak-management-team-and-cultural-issues - conexus

The Conclusion

The first 120 days following a PE acquisition are critical to setting up long-term success. Failure often stems from issues with financial systems, operational inefficiencies, excessive debt, misalignment of goals, and weak management.

By addressing these challenges in due diligence and focusing on potential solutions, PE firms can improve the chances of success for their portfolio companies and position them for sustainable growth and profitable exits.

Advisory Services

Conexus Advisory is led by Big 4 CPAs with years of Industry Experience and GAAP Accounting Expertise.

Our Advisory staff are full-time dedicated resources and fractional CPAs dedicated to critical, deadlinedriven project work in areas such as Acquisition Integration, IPO Readiness, Accounting Process Optimization and Technical Accounting related issues and deliverables.

We were built to handle the complexities of the office of the CFO.

Private Equity Support / M&A Transactions

  • Intergration Planning and Implementation
  • Post - Acquisition Integrations and Clean-Up
  • Consolidations/Variable Interest
  • System Evaluations and Process Development for Optimal synergies
  • Purchase Price Allocation
  • Opening Balance Preparation

Accounting Process Improvement and Audit Readiness

  • Finance Transformation
  • Expedite/streamline the Close Process
  • Process Automation on ay Accounting Cycle
  • Remediate Audit Concerns or Material Internal Control Deficiencies
  • Audit Rediness

SEC Compliance and Technical Accounting

  • 10Q and 10K Filing Support
  • S-1 Filings and IPO Readiness Support
  • Restatement Support
  • Techinical Research and Memorandum Development
  • Lease Accounting - ASC 842/IFRS 16
  • Revenue Recognition - ASC 606/IFRS 15

Advisory Team

Jill Primm - Partner

Jill Primm
Partner

Jill Primm, partner of conexus, has over 18 years of accounting and finance experience in public, private, non-profit, and consulting Across various industries. She began her career at deloitte & touche in orange county, ca, as part of the audit group, serving primarily Consumer business and technology clients. After public accounting, jill accelerated in multiple accounting roles for publicly traded Companies at electric visual evolution, wet seal, skilled healthcare, and caretrust reit. She also had her own consulting business, Providing sec reporting, technical accounting, interim solutions, operational efficiency improvement, and other services in various Industries for private, public, and non-profit organizations.

Steve Primm

Steve Primm
Partner

Steve Primm, partner of Conexus, has over 21 years of accounting and finance experience in public, private, and consulting across a variety of industries. He began his career at Deloitte & Touche in Orange County, CA as part of the audit group, he spent a majority of his time in the consumer business, financial, and technology industries. After public accounting Steve held progressive accounting and finance roles at Apria Healthcare, Ensign Services (ENSG), and most recently as the Chief Accounting Officer at NVision Eye Centers. He also had his own consulting business providing technical accounting, interim solutions, operational efficiency improvement, and other services in a variety of industries for private, public, and private-equity backed organizations. Steve holds a bachelors of science in Accounting and Finance from Chapman University and is a California Certified Public Accountant (Active).
Marty McKeever

Marty McKeever
Partner

Marty McKeever, partner of Conexus, has been serving clients in the Southern California marketplace with top accounting and finance resources since 2003. Prior to co-founding Conexus, Marty spent 17 years as the Managing Director for the Orange County practice of the DLC Group while also supporting the LA and San Francisco practices. Preceding his career in consulting and recruiting, Marty worked in accounting and finance for some of Orange County’s largest companies including, Capital Group, Disney, and Fluor Corporation. Marty’s industry experience allows him to clearly understand the needs of his clients and to provide the best fit resources.

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