Is Your Company Ready To Go Public? Find Out in Minutes
The path to an IPO takes 18 to 24 months and touches every corner of your organization. Our Comprehensive IPO Readiness Checklist maps every step — so you know exactly where you stand and what comes next.
- Stage-by-stage milestones, from 18 months out through listing day and beyond
- Role-specific checklists for your board, CFO and general counsel
- The advisors, filings and applications to line up before you submit Form S-1
Built by the IPO Advisory professionals at Cherry Bekaert, guiding companies through readiness, filing and life as a public company.
Every Stage of the IPO Journey, in One Checklist
Going public has many moving parts — rigorous audit standards, filing timelines, investor presentations and more. This checklist breaks the process into clear, sequenced actions.
End-to-End IPO Advisory Services PCAOB, SEC & SOX Know-how
CFO Advisory Professionals Nationwide
Download the Free IPO Checklist
Is Your Company Ready To Go Public? Find Out in Minutes
The path to an IPO takes 18 to 24 months and touches every corner of your organization. Our Comprehensive IPO Readiness Checklist maps every step — so you know exactly where you stand and what comes next.
- Stage-by-stage milestones, from 18 months out through listing day and beyond
- Role-specific checklists for your board, CFO and general counsel
- The advisors, filings and applications to line up before you submit Form S-1
Built by the IPO Advisory professionals at Cherry Bekaert, guiding companies through readiness, filing and life as a public company.
Every Stage of the IPO Journey, in One Checklist
Going public has many moving parts — rigorous audit standards, filing timelines, investor presentations and more. This checklist breaks the process into clear, sequenced actions.
Download the Free IPO Checklist
End-to-End IPO Advisory Services
PCAOB, SEC & SOX Know-how
CFO Advisory Professionals Nationwide
.png?width=500&height=334&name=Designer%20(1).png "Comprehensive IPO Readiness Checklist Brochure Sample")
Comprehensive IPO Readiness Checklist
Determine SEC filer status
Evaluate audit readiness
Create independent board with committees
Prepare Form S-1
Assess post-IPO SOX compliance
Comprehensive IPO Readiness Checklist
Determine SEC filer status
Evaluate audit readiness
Create independent board with committees
Prepare Form S-1
Assess post-IPO SOX compliance
The Companies That IPO Well Start Early
The switch from private to public company can mark the start of a new era of growth, but it's far from an overnight process. Meeting SEC requirements means presenting two to three years of audited financial statements under PCAOB standards, coordinating auditors, lawyers, bankers and internal teams along the way.
A simple readiness test: if your company can't close its books within a few days of month-end, that's a clear sign more work is needed before going public.
Stage 1: IPO Planning & Readiness
12–18 Months Prior
Run your internal readiness assessment, determine SEC filer status, evaluate audit readiness, select third-party advisors, and build an independent board with committees.
Stage 2: Pre-filing
3–6 Months Prior
Prepare Form S-1, complete PCAOB audits, finalize internal controls over financial reporting, and recruit leaders with public company experience — plus finalize the full team, prospectus, and application checklists.
Stage 3: Roadshow, Pricing & Effectiveness
1–2 Months Prior
Submit your S-1 and respond to comment letters, pitch investors, run your roadshow, track commitments, and finalize your IPO price and offer structure.
Stage 4: After You Are Public
Post-IPO
Stand up investor relations protocols, streamline financial reporting, maintain SEC and SOX compliance, and train your teams on public company requirements.
The Companies That IPO Well Start Early
The switch from private to public company can mark the start of a new era of growth, but it's far from an overnight process. Meeting SEC requirements means presenting two to three years of audited financial statements under PCAOB standards, coordinating auditors, lawyers, bankers and internal teams along the way.
A simple readiness test: if your company can't close its books within a few days of month-end, that's a clear sign more work is needed before going public.
Stage 1: IPO Planning & Readiness
12–18 Months Prior
Run your internal readiness assessment, determine SEC filer status, evaluate audit readiness, select third-party advisors, and build an independent board with committees.
Stage 2: Pre-filing
3–6 Months Prior
Prepare Form S-1, complete PCAOB audits, finalize internal controls over financial reporting, and recruit leaders with public company experience — plus finalize the full team, prospectus, and application checklists.
Stage 3: Roadshow, Pricing & Effectiveness
1–2 Months Prior
Submit your S-1 and respond to comment letters, pitch investors, run your roadshow, track commitments, and finalize your IPO price and offer structure.
Stage 4: After You Are Public
Post-IPO
Stand up investor relations protocols, streamline financial reporting, maintain SEC and SOX compliance, and train your teams on public company requirements.
Know Exactly Where You Stand – Before the Market Asks
Get the Comprehensive IPO Readiness Checklist and turn an 18–24 month journey into a clear, sequenced plan.The checklist helps you find those gaps now — while there's still time to fix them — instead of during SEC review.
Know Exactly Where You Stand – Before the Market Asks
Get the Comprehensive IPO Readiness Checklist and turn an 18–24 month journey into a clear, sequenced plan.The checklist helps you find those gaps now — while there's still time to fix them — instead of during SEC review.
Guidance From Advisors Who've Been There
Cherry Bekaert's CFO Advisory professionals support companies at every stage of the IPO journey — from plugging gaps in capacity to managing internal and external stakeholders.
Guidance From Advisors Who've Been There
Cherry Bekaert's CFO Advisory professionals support companies at every stage of the IPO journey — from plugging gaps in capacity to managing internal and external stakeholders.
Ken Woodring
CFO Advisory Services
Partner, Cherry Bekaert Advisory LLC
Dan Wheadon
CFO Advisory Leader · Technology & Life Sciences Leader
Partner, Cherry Bekaert Advisory LLC
Ken Woodring
CFO Advisory Services
Partner, Cherry Bekaert Advisory LLC
Dan Wheadon
CFO Advisory Leader · Technology & Life Sciences Leader
Partner, Cherry Bekaert Advisory LLC