Hell Hole for PE Professionals - Associate Audax Group Employee Review

1.0
16 Sept 2016
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

- Good deal flow - Tons of reps - Smart people - Solid returns

Cons

- Every time I mention to anyone in the industry I work at Audax group, they tell me they are sorry for me and ask how I am surviving. Anyone on Glassdoor that says Audax hours / lifestyle / culture are in line with industry are so disconnected from reality that it only affirms how all-consuming the Audax deal professional life is. Bottom line is that the firm owns you when you sign on the dotted line, and that is exactly how you are treated - Though they recently increased comp, it is still below average for the fund size and is well below anything reasonable for the amount of sacrifice required to be successful here - The analyst and associate classes go through waves of depressingly low morale, that is offset by management throwing a party or providing small 'battle bonuses' when things get pushed to the brink. People are appeased for a moment, then, when the reality of your job quickly sets in, morale drops and the vicious cycle returns - The firm is incredibly top heavy-- way too many MDs that spells slow growth and limited advancement opportunities - MDs are generally very smart and competent people, though there are a handful of senior management who have very odd titles and job descriptions, and they make life miserable for pre-MBAs b/c they are constantly seeking to remain relevant in a firm where they have no real value-add - the CEOs create a cut-throat fiefdom-type culture where there is little sense of collegiality and team orientation at the top

Explore other reviews about Audax Group

5.0
24 June 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great place to work recommend

Cons

no cons from me about audax

2.0
12 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

nothing special. typical PE perks: occasional fancy dinners, catered lunches, expense stuff, good health plan, etc.

Cons

culture is pretty toxic - management pretends things are great and sugarcoats everything, junior employees have low morale - salary not competitive at all. terrible 401k match. taboo to talk about coinvest. no salary transparency or progression path - terrible culture of being available/visible. i've spent entire days with no work, sitting in the office just waiting to go home - very top heavy. tons of MDs and too many opinions. managment can't change because they can't decide on anything. - hours aren't bad but toxic culture makes you stay late. sometimes i save work for later so i have a reason to stay late and look busy - very much a gossip culture. lots of talking about people behind their backs - constant probing for upward feedback from management but nothing ever changes - management appeases junior employees with occasional dinners and parties, gets old after the first three. Partners don't show up at events, and MDs leave as fast as possible - catered lunches sound nice but are unhealthy slop, office snacks are all unhealthy. it's like a 7th grader is ordering the food - office has little color and bright hospital lighting. drives you crazy after a few hours

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