Organizational design
Compliance
The Liquidity phase of your journey could very well be the exit you’ve envisioned from the beginning — or perhaps it’s gearing up for a whole new phase of growth. Regardless of your plan, the preparation is essentially the same: solid accounting and compliance practices, building a three- to five-year projection model and being able to effectively pitch your story to potential buyers and investors are all critical.
ESG factors are important to consider as well. Alongside demonstrating social responsibility and reflecting your organization’s values, ESG principles can be a means to realize your financial and strategic objectives.
There’s also a heavy focus on tax, forecasting and financial reporting. If you built out these competencies from the start, you’ll be better equipped to navigate transaction requirements and maximize the opportunities that come your way.
Potential paths to liquidity
Set your goals
When your business is rapidly accelerating, hiring the right talent is mission critical. Now you will need people at all levels and likely across all functions. In this context, you’ll need to consider the structure of your employee base, their location and whether to hire roles internally or to turn to outsourcing.
Hiring talent
- What positions are needed and when?
- What functions should we hire internally? Which should be outsourced?
- Should we pursue internal development and production or use a third party?
- What is our location strategy? How do we assess the business climate across jurisdictions?
Key questions to ask:
HR Consulting Services
Tax Compliance
International Tax Services
State & Local Taxes
R&D Tax Credit
Outsourced Accounting
BPM services that can help
As additional capital is secured, the accounting burden also rises. It’s likely too soon to discuss bringing on a full accounting staff or an outsourced accounting business model—but it’s never too early to start thinking through the structure of your accounting function. The focus now should be on staying compliant with tax filings and reporting requirements. Now is also the time to build the processes and operations that will enable future cross-border compliance and audit readiness.
Developing your products is the priority right now. However, it’s important to think about the future structure of your organization as early as possible so you are not caught off guard later. Now is the time to lay the groundwork for the future.
Your pitch to investors is not about today, it’s about your vision two to three years out, and beyond. With that in mind, it’s critical to have clear sight of your future plans and goals. From there, you can work backwards to achieve the required milestones to help achieve them.
International Tax Services
State & Local Taxes
Global Business Model Optimization
Technical Accounting
Audit
BPM services that can help
- Should we build an in-house accounting function, or outsource it?
- What markets offer the best tax incentives?
- How will we stay current on tax compliance in new markets?
- How can we formalize internal reporting processes?
- Are we prepared for potential future audits?
Key questions to ask:
Rapid growth and increased compliance demands go hand-in-hand. Now is the time to establish your formal compliance and accounting functions. That team will be key decision-makers in developing your location strategy and your international tax structuring plan.
Compliance
CFO & Controller Services
Due Diligence
Transaction Advisory
Valuation
BPM services that can help
- Can we support rapid growth with revenue alone, or do we need to supplement with other sources of funding?
- What makes the most sense: equity or convertible and/or straight debt?
- Should we raise private capital, venture capital or should we go public if market conditions are right?
- What tools and processes will help with communicating with our investors?
Key questions to ask:
Growth is fueled by funding, and you’ll need to continue to position yourself in a way that keeps your capital steam flowing. Unlike the start-up phase, when you’re trying to raise whatever capital you can, fundraising in the growth phase tends to be more targeted—strategically supporting specific priorities. Depending on market conditions, funding rounds are typically larger and more complex, and investors are more sophisticated—expecting to receive more detailed information on performance.
Working capital
Mergers & Acquisitions
Due Diligence
CFO & Controller Services
BPM services that can help
- Are there staffing gaps that could be better filled by a partnership?
- Is there technology we need that cannot be developed internally?
- What companies would make the most sense to form a partnership or JV with?
Key questions to ask:
As your organization quickly grows and scales, finding the right talent and developing next-gen products can be significant hurdles. This is where partnerships can serve an important role. Combinations with outside entities can take many forms depending on your needs, but what’s most critical is finding the right partner.
Partnerships
Cybersecurity Assessment
IT Security
Technology Solutions
BPM services that can help
- How can we understand and comply with cybersecurity regulations?
- What parts of our business are most vulnerable to cyber risks?
- How can we keep our IP safe?
- How can we stay on top of cybersecurity risks in a quickly changing environment?
Key questions to ask:
Cybersecurity risks are becoming increasing pervasive. Founders have a responsibility to internal stakeholders, customers and regulators to understand and mitigate these risks at every point in the business lifecycle. It’s during this period of rapid growth that cyber risks are especially amplified. Taking action requires a disciplined approach that involves funding, ongoing assessments and the development of systematic security processes and procedures.
Cybersecurity
- Think about how you will attract higher-level candidates.
- Begin exploring data systems with predictive functionality.
- Lay the groundwork for your formal ERP system.
- Start thinking about product diversification and next gen products.
- Begin considering possible geographic expansion opportunities.
- Re-examine your original strategic plan.
- Revisit your pitch to investors.
- Integrate ERP software into your operations.
- Begin evaluating market conditions for your future plans.
BPM services that can help
Key questions
to ask
Key questions to ask:
- What should our leadership team look like?
- What about HR? Finance? Systems? IT? ERP?
- What other functions and skillsets will we need in the future?
BPM services that can help
HR Consulting Services
Outsourced Accounting
Technology Solutions
IT Consulting & Managed IT
IT Security & Compliance
Key questions to ask:
- What is our endgame?
- How will we create the most value for our company and investors?
- What structure do we need to achieve that output?
- Where will we need to attract talent?
BPM services that can help
International Tax Services
Global Business Model Optimization
CFO & Controller Services
Liquidity
- Going public through an
IPO or other structure as market conditions allow
- Strategic M&A: merging with a similar company or being acquired
by a competitor, larger company or suitor
- Secondary market transaction: sale to a new or existing investor without a change of control
- A sale to a financial buyer – e.g., private equity, family office, sovereign wealth fund
- What is the current valuation
of our company?
- What transaction makes the most sense in the current market environment?
- Are we audit ready? Are we prepared for due diligence?
- Is the right ERP software in place to meet transaction reporting requirements?
- Are we properly prepared to
be acquired or positioned to
be a public company?
- What ESG drivers could help improve efficiency and lower operating costs?
Technical Accounting
Transaction Advisory
HR Consulting Services
Outsourced Accounting
Business Ownership Transition
Mergers & Acquisitions
Valuation
Exit Planning Strategy
ESG Advisory
Compliance
Set your goals
Organizational design
Key questions to ask:
- What is the best tax plan for us now?
- Have we established Nexus in other states or countries?
- How should we value our stock awards?
- Will our investors or other stakeholders require an audit?
- What systems should be in place to help prepare us for the future?
recent insights
Stock Option Planning
Private Client Services
Technical Accounting
Corporate Tax Services
Valuation
Audit
Technology Solutions
State & Local Taxes
BPM services that can help
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