1. By James Kasim

2.  A certified public accountant, James Kasim leverages more
than two decades of experience in investor relations, debt
structuring, and financial reporting to fulfill his duties as a
chief financial officer for a commercial real estate
company. Prior to this role, James Kasim served in the
same position at Pacific Office Properties Trust, Inc., a
business he guided through the initial public offering
process.
Commonly referred to as an IPO, an initial public offering
provides a company numerous benefits, including stock
sale to increase liquidity, in turn attracting top talent and
growing brand awareness. However, before a company
files for an IPO, the owner and executive team should
consider the current condition of their financial reporting
system.

3.  Under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, a public company must
disclose controls and procedures. This ensures that key
financial aspects of a business are reported accurately for
public filing. If a company does not have a plan in place to
document these details in a timely and streamlined
fashion, such a plan must be created. This takes time and
can create a hefty expense for a business.
Likewise, anticipating future financial responsibilities after
going public is important. Regulations, such as Section
404, require publication of internal control structures and
procedures in a company’s annual report. Correcting weak
areas in financial reporting prior these stipulations
becoming mandatory is ideal to avoid potential struggles
in the future.