The Hidden Cost of Manual Reporting for Private Capital Firms

In private capital, time is one of the most valuable assets, and manual reporting is quietly draining it.

While spreadsheets, email chains, and disconnected tools have long been the norm, the true cost of sticking with manual processes goes far beyond time spent. It undermines accuracy, weakens investor trust, and ultimately slows down value creation.

Let’s break down what’s really at stake:

1. Time Spent Reporting Is Time Lost Creating Value

When reporting cycles drag into weeks, teams are buried in admin rather than focused on returns. Sourcing data from portfolio companies, reconciling figures, and formatting outputs becomes an endless loop, especially as portfolios grow.

That’s the time your competitors are spending spotting red flags, enhancing value levers, or acting on market shifts.

2. One Error Can Derail Everything

Manual data handling opens the door to hidden risks. A simple spreadsheet formula error, duplicate entry, or missed update can throw off performance metrics or valuations. With growing expectations around transparency and precision, those small slips can turn into big problems.

3. Delays Cost More Than Just Time

Investors expect timely, digestible reporting. Outdated PDFs or slow quarterly cycles create friction and make your firm look reactive instead of forward-thinking.

Firms that can deliver faster and personalised reporting build stronger LP relationships and stand out in a competitive fundraising environment.

4. Static Data Equals Missed Opportunity

Manual reporting keeps teams focused on the past. By the time the data is gathered, reviewed, and formatted, any early signs of risk or opportunity may have already gone unnoticed. Without real-time access and built-in modelling tools, decisions tend to come too late or are based on information that is already outdated.

5. Your Team Is Burning Out

Manual reporting doesn’t just slow down operations, it drains your team. High-performing teams are stuck doing low-value work, which leads to frustration and turnover. People want to be solving problems, not chasing spreadsheets.

The Bottom Line

Manual reporting may seem manageable, but it’s quietly costing private capital firms more than they realise. It creates drag across decision-making, investor relations, and internal operations, often when firms can least afford it.

How Untap Can Help

Untap is a portfolio management platform built specifically for private capital. It replaces manual reporting with one-click, fully customizable investor updates, consolidates all your fund and asset data in real-time, and integrates directly with your CRM. With built-in AI tools for IRR modelling, carry simulations, and performance monitoring, it empowers your team to focus on value rather than admin.

If you’re ready to eliminate reporting friction and unlock better decision-making, get in touch!