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Ironically for Some, This Ernst & Young Guide to a ‘Smooth IPO Registration’ Just Came Out Today

Recently, some high profile companies have been going public. Leading up to the big day, all kinds of people get ants in their pants because, contrary to what some of you believe, going public is AWESOME. There are roadshows, CNBC hype, and typically you get to ring a bell. Pretty sweet. Unfortunately, there are all kinds of boring details that involve securities law, GAAP, fancy-pants bankers, and technology that can trip you up along the way. 

Luckily, Ernst & Young has you covered. Today, the firm issued a "To the Point" memo entitled "Leading practices for a smooth IPO registration" (free registration required). This handy-dandy guide will ensure that your IPO experience is as pleasant as possible. Some "Leading Practices" we'll call attention to:

Discuss complex or unique accounting matters with the SEC staff before submitting your initial registration statement
Companies that are uncertain about the SEC staff’s view on the application of US GAAP or IFRS in a specific fact pattern should consider formal preclearance of accounting conclusions with the Office of the Chief Accountant (e.g., revenue recognition, consolidation, debt versus equity classification). 
Even if this memo had been issued, say, last summer, it doesn't specifically mention Adjusted Consolidated Segment Operating Income, so it's hard to say if you can always prevent an embarrassment.
 
Okay, so that's great, but what about more recent IPOers?
Disclose any preliminary results or capsule information carefully
Capsule financial information (i.e., financial information such as sales or net income for a recently completed period for which financial statements are not included in the IPO registration statement) may be presented in a registration statement for the most recent interim period and the corresponding period of the prior year. While a discussion of preliminary results or estimates for the latest reporting period can be useful to investors, companies should provide the proper context for such a discussion and determine that the disclosure of such amounts is balanced. For  example, a company highlighting increases in revenue also should highlight any declines in net income or other key metrics. Given the potential liabilities associated with false or misleading disclosures, companies should consider excluding financial estimates that are subject to a high risk of change.
Check and err, check.
 
Anything else worth noting?
Include your estimated price range in the filing as soon as possible
To complete its review, the SEC staff requires a complete registration statement, including the capitalization table, dilution calculation and pro forma financial information. These disclosures are all determined using the estimated sales price range in the IPO document. The sooner the estimated sales price is included in the document, the sooner the SEC staff can fully review the document for possible comment and provide sufficient time for any concerns to be addressed.
Hmmm, so is changing it a few days beforehand a problem?
 
Anyone can get this document through E&Y's Accounting Link, and according to a disclaimer, it's in "summary form" and "not intended to be a substitute for detailed research or the exercise of professional judgment" but maybe this could've helped? It's debatable – the document still doesn't say anything about offending investors by wearing a hoodie.

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