An annual survey of chief financial officers at private equity-backed firms has said that cost-cutting is no longer their biggest concern as they become far more optimistic about revenue growth. However, the survey, published by financial services firm Deloitte, has attracted criticism from the industry for painting an overly rosy picture of the future.

Deloitte surveyed around 60 chief financial officers of private equity-backed businesses for its annual survey to determine their priorities for the year ahead and the likely sale plans for their businesses.