A Blackstone-led investor group is acquiring a majority stake in US accounting firm Citrin Cooperman, valuing the company at over $2bn, according to sources cited by the Financial Times on Tuesday. This could mark Blackstone’s first investment in the accounting sector.
The private equity giant, managing $1 trillion in assets, is purchasing the stake from New Mountain Capital, Citrin Cooperman’s previous majority owner. The deal reportedly values the firm at approximately 15 times its EBITDA, up from the 11 times multiple when New Mountain initially acquired it.
The investor group, which includes smaller stakeholders, will hold over two-thirds of Citrin Cooperman, keeping Blackstone’s stake below 50% to address regulatory concerns over the firm’s audit independence. An official announcement is expected later today, the media outlet said.
Citrin Cooperman was founded in 1979 with a mission to enhance the businesses and personal lives of its clients, partners, and staff through its services, guidance and enthusiasm for building long-standing relationships. The firm is a trusted advisor to more than 15,000 clients globally through its tax, advisory and accounting services.
Alan Badey, CEO of Citrin Cooperman, said: “We are excited to have reached an agreement for Blackstone to invest in Citrin Cooperman as we enter our next chapter of growth. Blackstone will help us make additional investments in expanded service offerings and technology as we deliver on our continued commitment to best-in-class firm culture and providing an exceptional client experience. We thank New Mountain for their years of partnership in helping to build and support our business.”
Eli Nagler, a Senior Managing Director at Blackstone, and Kelly Wannop, a Managing Director at Blackstone, said: “The Citrin Cooperman partners and staff have done an exceptional job making the firm a leader through an unwavering commitment to excellence and client service. We are excited to invest in the business to help it continue to provide the highest quality offerings moving forward.”
Andre Moura and Nikhil Devulapalli, Managing Directors at New Mountain, said: “We are proud of our successful partnership with Citrin Cooperman, and we thank the management team, partners and staff of Citrin Cooperman for all we have accomplished together over the last three years. We look forward to seeing Citrin Cooperman continue to thrive for the benefit of all its clients and stakeholders.”
Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. is serving as financial adviser, and Kirkland & Ellis LLP and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP are serving as legal advisers to Blackstone. Guggenheim Securities, LLC is serving as lead financial advisor to New Mountain and Citrin Cooperman, with Koltin Consulting Group serving as an additional financial adviser to both parties. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, Zukerman Gore Brandeis & Crossman, LLP, and Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP are serving as legal advisers to New Mountain and Citrin Cooperman.
Source: Breaking The News & PR Newswire
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