Investor confidence drives private and public markets
Capital markets and public companies have an interconnected relationship. Public companies rely on capital markets to raise funds for their operations and growth, while capital markets rely on public companies for investment opportunities. Private equity (PE) firms also play a significant role in this relationship. They can provide capital and expertise to privately held companies, helping them grow and improve their operations, and can contribute strategic guidance, operational enhancements, and financial expertise to prepare companies for going public. PE firms often invest in companies with the intention of eventually taking them public, leveraging the advantages of the capital markets.
Going public provides many competitive advantages—including improved access to financing, greater visibility and credibility, and greater liquidity to pave the way to better valuations. And while these advantages are attractive, whether your organization is public or is in the preparation stage of going public, there are challenges to address. Regulatory reporting requirements, IPOs, corporate governance, and shareholder demands are all issues that need fine attention to detail.
BDO can help support the symbiotic relationship between capital markets and public companies. Our people, processes, and technology are underpinned by a global audit approach that enables our engagement teams to deliver a high-quality service to our clients. Our culture of continuous learning, professional skepticism, and industry knowledge enhances our testing, supports deeper risk analysis, and offers more clarity to stakeholders. We help guide all types of companies—from those that are just starting to ramp up all the way to established public enterprises that have set their sights on international expansion. We make the effort to engage in meaningful conversations to understand you.
How BDO can help
Reporting that reflects your performance
Your corporate reporting presents your business performance and your overall management, so accuracy and transparency are a public company's best tool for raising capital. Your reporting must adhere to established accounting standards and—depending on what markets you plan on raising money in—your choices are normally International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), or U.S. GAAP.
BDO's experience with financial reporting, audit quality, and accounting standards for public companies runs deep. Our team uses modern digital tools to provide data-driven insights that allow us to offer quality assurance, timely resolution, and knowledge of regulatory reporting requirements to reporting issuers—including audit, quarterly reports, ESG and sustainability, and special reports.
We are committed to proactively working with you to understand your business, guiding you through continuous disclosure requirements for listed companies and staying on top of new rules or requirements for public companies.
Helping you put the right governance structure in place
Corporate governance is one of the many moving parts associated with your organization's plans to go public. There are specific rules and regulations around the governance board structure of a public company—from the size of the board to the governance structure that best matches your business goals. Putting off understanding and applying best practices is a mistake. When you establish a solid corporate governance structure early, you are setting a positive and professional tone with potential investors.
Your corporate directors must be prepared to address a host of complexities, especially as they relate to regulatory changes, and must also successfully balance the interests of many different parties that include shareholders, management, customers, and suppliers. Choosing your board is a vital decision.
BDO's team of experienced advisors can help you determine the right corporate governance measures using a collaborative approach. We examine how the board functions with key committees and management, review how strategic decisions are made, and determine how business performance is evaluated—all with stakeholder expectations in mind. We use a robust infrastructure of accounting and advisory resources to tailor the right advice for your industry and region.
Clearing the way to successfully becoming a public company
When a privately held company goes public it's a significant milestone—a reflection of years of personal investment, time, and energy. Going public provides opportunities to access capital to expand or to provide the right exit point. But while a successful Initial Public Offering (IPO) is both an end goal and a new starting point, the path to getting there requires carefully planned steps.
BDO's experienced IPO advisory team knows each step. We help business owners weigh both the merits and the drawbacks to determine whether a public offering is feasible or desirable under current circumstances. We focus on the detailed preparation required for each step of the road to going public.
From the IPO prospectus to the on-going guidance that a newly public company needs to continue down the road to success. From International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) to preparing complex accounting memos. From providing detailed forecasting and projections to accurate revenue recognition. Wherever you are on your going public journey, we know the steps and we take the time to get to know you to provide advice you can trust.
The regulatory landscape is ever-changing, and local has become global even for domestic organizations.
Successful businesses are able to recognize the opportunity to turn the cost of new compliance technology into an investment. Our team can help by not only looking to simplify systems and processes, but by creating value based on authentically and objectively assessing your compliance needs—helping to forge confident investor and stakeholder relationships.
BDO's team of public company advisors works with clients to assess the current governing business structure against the rules and regulations of relevant jurisdictions. Using our proprietary methodologies and tools, we assist clients at all stages of their lifecycle. Our risk advisory professionals provide guidance on creating internal controls that are aligned to regulations while reflecting your organizations’ specific circumstances, objectives, and goals.
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Audit quality is our top priority, and a key catalyst of trust in financial reporting. We take your behind the scenes through our annual Audit Quality Report, to show you what audit quality means to us.
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