Startup and Private (Pre-IPO) Companies
409A Valuations
Dives into the process of 409A evaluations that should be planned on and performed early on in the IPO process to avoid incurring unnecessary costs.
Accounting for Convertible Debt
Learn how to account for convertible debt and its complex elements. This article delves into one of the most challenging subjects to understand for finance and accounting professionals today.
Accounting for Stock Compensation
This article moves beyond the basics of stock compensation (including stock options) and touches on the accounting complexities associated with stock compensation awards.
Acquisition Decision Making
Before you decide to acquire another company, be sure to carefully identify synergies and consider how to avoid your cognitive biases that could destroy value.
Anti-dilution Provisions
Investors often receive anti-dilution provisions in funding arrangements. Learn more about these provisions and how they can affect the ownership structure of your startup.
ASC 842: Impacts and Practical Guidance for Lessees
This article explores and compares the old and new lease accounting standard. Learn how a lessee properly accounts for leases under the new leasing standard
Asset vs. Stock Acquisitions
Learn to understand the tax and economic differences between transaction structures for your next M&A negotiation.
Bridge Loan Financing for Startups
Common features, qualifications, and settlement of rapid IPO capital providers called bridge loans and their impact on startup companies.
Cash Vs. Accrual Accounting: When to Switch?
Startups often use cash accounting method, yet public companies must use accrual accounting method, so when is the proper timing to make the switch?
Cheap Stock
This article addresses the topic of cheap stock and the complications that can arise from accounting for stock compensation plans when going public
Choosing an ERP System
ERP systems are an important aspect of a growing business. Learn when to implement and what needs to be considered before implementation.
Convertible Debt Complexities
Understand convertible debt’s most complex elements as we discuss eight particularly challenging points of interest related to convertible debt.
Convertible Preferred Stock and Convertible Debt
Startups typically raise capital by issuing convertible preferred stock or convertible debt. Find answers to frequently asked questions about these financing arrangements.
Cybersecurity Best Practices for Businesses
By understanding and implementing a few basic principles, many businesses can greatly increase their level of technological and physical security.
Debt Restructuring for Pre-IPO Companies
Learn how pre-IPO companies can restructure debt to navigate financial distress.
Developing a Cybersecurity Strategy
By understanding several key frameworks and concepts, business leaders will be better able to create and manage their cybersecurity strategy.
Dilution and Stock Option Pools
Securing capital from outside investors will dilute your ownership position. Learn about how funding rounds and stock option pools can affect your startup’s ownership structure.
Equity Compensation: Restricted Stock Units vs. Restricted Stock Awards
Before determining how to compensate employees, learn how restricted stock units and awards are accounted for and the tax implications for your business.
Executive Compensation and Disclosure
Top executives require top compensation. Learn the common types of the executive compensation and the required disclosure.
Flux Analysis
An effective flux analysis can help you understand changes in your financial statements and communicate them effectively in your S-1.
Foreign Currency Risk
This article is an overview of types of foreign currency risk, the potential points of exposure, and the risk mitigation strategies used to manage this risk.
Founder Control
This article will help you understand the strategies and trade-offs involved in maintaining or ceding control of both the majority ownership and management control of your company.
Guide to ESG reporting
ESG reporting can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to. Learn the basics in this article.
How to Form an Effective Board of Directors
Having a good Board of Directors is the key to a successful business. Learn more about the roles of the Board of Directors and how to form an effective Board in this article.
Key Performance Indicators
KPIs are powerful tools for measuring performance. Learn how to choose KPIs and report them in your MD&A.
Liquidation Preferences
Learn about the mechanics of liquidation preference calculations and how these provisions can influence the amount that shareholders receive during an exit.
M&A: Buy Side vs. Sell Side
Before engaging in a merger or acquisition, be sure to learn about the services and incentives of advisors on each side of the deal.
Mezzanine Loans
Mezzanine lending is a hybrid loan option for companies that need an influx of cash but in which the owners want to retain control.
Overview of Startup Financing
Gain a broader perspective about startup financing and find out how startups raise capital to fund their growth.
Pre-IPO Acquisitions
Looking to acquire as you prepare to go public? This article discusses the pros and cons of pre-IPO acquisitions.
Pre-IPO Dividends
Before going public, some companies offer pre-IPO dividends to their shareholders. This article explains when and why companies use this strategy.
Preparing for High Growth and an IPO: Building Your Team
This article will help you to understand what steps you need to take to gather the group of people that will guarantee you navigate the high growth and IPO stage successfully.
Private Equity
Private equity can be confusing, but it doesn’t have to be. Learn the basics of the private equity industry in this article.
Private Placements: Reg D Offerings
Fewer regulations and more flexibility—a private placement may be a good source of funding for your company's next big project.
Regulation A+ Mini-IPO
Learn about Reg A+ offerings (mini-IPOs) and what to expect if your company is considering this alternative form of equity financing.
Revenue-Based Financing
Looking for startup friendly debt? Revenue-based financing has allowed hundreds of growing companies leverage monthly recurring revenues to avoid the costs of dilution.
SEC Significance Tests: Overview
Understand the tests required by the SEC for determining the significance of an acquisition. Three tests required and the related financial statement requirements.
SEC Significance Tests: Topic 1.J Example
Gain an understanding of the exception to the SEC significance tests (Regulation S-X Rule 3-05), given to companies going through an IPO.
Startup Debt Covenants
Negotiating debt covenants is often part of getting a bank loan. This article describes different types of debt covenants and their impacts on your business.
Stock Options 101 (for Employees)
This article provides an easy-to-understand overview of how stock options work and why startups use them.
Tech Valuations (SaaS)
Learn the unique valuation principles that are used for technology and SaaS companies to maximize your valuation potential.
Term Sheet Provisions (Part I)
Term sheets are complex documents full of legal jargon. Learn about some of the most important provisions within a term sheet while gathering helpful negotiating tips.
Term Sheet Provisions (Part II)
Term sheets are complex documents full of legal jargon. Learn about some of the lesser-known provisions within a term sheet while gathering helpful negotiating tips.
Term Sheets Overview
Term sheets explain the details of a VC firm’s investment offer. Learn more about these important documents and discover some tips for navigating negotiations.
The Audit Committee
Understand the role of the audit committee and how to establish an effective committee.
The Black-Scholes Model
What is the Black-Scholes Model (BSM), how is it developed, and how does it compare to lattice models? The answers can be found in this article.
The Stages of Startup Financing
Follow the financing path of startups from seed money to exit and learn about the pros and cons of bootstrapping.
Total Addressable Market
Understanding TAM is important for defining your company’s strategy and determining a valuation during all stages of a start-up’s life cycle.
Transfer Pricing
A well-planned and economically supportable transfer pricing policy can have a large impact on a company’s profitability. Learn about the current issues and potential solutions for transfer pricing in our digital world.
Types of Startup Investors
Founders have more financing options than ever before. Cut through the confusion and get an in-depth look at the different types of startup investors.
Valuation
Startup valuations are at the center of negotiations between investors and founders. Find out how investors determine a company’s worth.
Valuation Caps and Conversion Discounts
Delve into the mechanics of how investors structure convertible debt arrangements with valuation caps and conversion discounts to protect the value of their investments.
Valuation Considerations — Earnings Quality and Accruals
Earnings quality refers to the quality and reliability of your financial statements. Learn how investors will analyze your earnings quality during the valuation process.
Venture Capital
Find out how Venture capital (VC) firms are structured, how they decide which startups to invest in, and what characteristics you should look for in a VC investor.
