In the rapidly evolving business landscape, companies are increasingly considering the benefits of going public, and the role of the CFO in reaching this milestone is vital. An initial public offering (IPO) plays a pivotal role in supplying capital for private companies looking to grow while also providing much-needed liquidity to investors and employees.
Keep on reading to learn how important is the role of the CFO in IPO preparation of a company and what are some key CFO strategies for IPO success.
IPO Preparation by CFO- Key Responsibilities
The role of the Chief Financial Officer is pivotal when a company is preparing for an IPO. Major IPO preparation by CFO responsibilities include:
- Communicating with Investors: The role of CFO when preparing for an IPO includes communicating with investors. The CFO explains the company's listing, direction, and next step to stakeholders and investors, often through roadshows.
- Building Trust: Major CFO responsibilities IPO also include establishing trust with auditors, investors, bankers, stakeholders, and shareholders.
- Collaborating with the CHRO: The CFO also works with the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) to create a positive culture that encourages employee engagement and responsible conduct.
- Creating a Favourable Image: During IPO preparation by CFO, creating a favourable image of the company is also crucial. The CFO also takes care that the company’s business, activities, management, and performance are always seen in a positive light.
Important CFO strategies for IPO success
For companies that are considering the public markets, the major strategies taken up by the CFO include:
- Starting Early: Successful IPOs require 18 to 36 months of preparation in advance of the offering. The role of the CFO and the team during this time is to build the needed capabilities and execute a smooth transition into the public domain.
- Carefully Evaluating the Decision to Go Public: Before taking the final step, the CFO must lead a thorough assessment of their companies and the motivation to go public. Not every company or business is suited for life in the public eye.
- Consider Regulations and Requirements in Advance: When a company goes public, it means greater transparency and disclosure requirements specifically when it comes to financial and other regulatory reporting. One of the major CFO strategies for IPO success is to prepare for these compliance requirements. It can be done by assessing key systems and processes and addressing any gaps between the current state and the level of performance that shareholders and the SEC expect.
- Getting the Right Team in Place: Most of the time companies overestimate their team's ability to handle the volume and technical complexity of preparing for an IPO. The CFO needs to ensure that the organisation has a resourceful and capable finance and accounting team in place to handle the increased workload post-IPO.
- Taking Care of Investor Relations: While the IPO process is ongoing, CFOs and CEOs are the public faces of their firms. This is a golden opportunity for leaders to attract the right investors in the target capital pools. A successful and smooth investor roadshow and a rewarding IPO journey are linked together. A CFO needs to be prepared for tough Q&A and think like an investor throughout the process.
Conclusion
CFOs at companies planning to become public need to be targeted and well-prepared. The Chief Financial Officer needs to work with the in-house teams and advisors while planning way ahead of the transaction to set up the right foundation. To be successful in this journey, the right CFO course can teach leaders to think prudently, shape a high-performing team, and lead growth effectively.
Imarticus Learning brings to you the Chief Financial Officer Programme from the Indian School of Business. This course can help you take your financial leadership skills to the next level. Enroll now to attain the pinnacle of financial leadership.
