Connor Group

Is an 𝗜𝗣𝗢 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴🌱 in our future? Our survey data suggests that the recent IPO Winter may be ending. Here’s what we found ⬇️ In our recent private survey, we identified 81 active clients preparing and planning for IPO transactions in 2025 or 2026! This is a 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝟯𝟰% 𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 📈 in IPO intention from our previous survey in January 2024. This meaningful increase is likely driven by 👉 improving stock market conditions, a building pipeline of deals, and positive feedback from investors and bankers. ------- PROFILE OF COMPANIES SURVEYED • Companies Reporting Plans to IPO:  81 • Total Capital Raised: $33B ($400M average) • Average Company Age: 10 years • Average Number of Employees: 700 This sample size is significant, representing one-third of the IPOs in a typical year (an average of 250 IPOs in the US over the last 20 years). -------- INDUSTRY BREAKDOWN 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆: 𝗠𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴, 𝗔𝗜, 𝗦𝗮𝗮𝗦, 𝗦𝗼𝗳𝘁𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲 💡 36% of all IPO intentions 💡 $13.4B in capital raised to date 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲: 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝘀, 𝗗𝗶𝗴𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵, 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵 🧬 28% of all IPO intentions 🧬 $9.4B in capital raised to date 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 🛍️ 16% of all IPO intentions 🛍️ $3.5B in capital raised to date -------- Looking for support on your 𝗜𝗣𝗢 𝗷𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗻𝗲𝘆? We can help you ring the bell! 🔔 • Attend Connor Group IPO Summits • Visit the Resources page on our website for IPO guides • Connect with a Connor Group IPO Partner – reach out to info@connorgp.com, comment or DM

𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: The IPO market is improving with more investor appetite for deals in '25 and '26. Bankers continue to be 𝙨𝙚𝙡𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙞𝙫𝙚. How can you stand out? ⬇️ Our Bay Area IPO Summit was filled with optimism about the resurgence of the IPO market. For companies looking to IPO in the next 1-2 years, here are key takeaways to consider: IMPROVING MARKET CONDITIONS 📈 • The IPO market is showing signs of recovery. Year-to-date, 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝟯𝟬% 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗜𝗣𝗢𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗿𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟯. Additionally, $300+ billion in US venture capital "dry powder" remains available. SUPPLY CONSTRAINTS 💰 • Contrary to popular belief, there is 𝗻𝗼 𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗣𝗢𝘀. The real issue lies on the supply side—few high-growth companies are prepared to go public, and no further IPOs are expected in 2024 WHAT ARE INVESTORS LOOKING FOR? 🔎 • 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵: Investment bankers now define "𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵" as achieving over 𝟯𝟬% 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿-𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿-𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵, while "profitability" is simply a business generating more than break-even profits. • 𝗧𝗮𝗿𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵: Companies should aim for a 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝟮𝟱% 𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 and articulate their story in a clear, compelling way. • 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝘁 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: While 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 is not always required, companies must present a clear path to breaking even. Additionally, it’s essential to have a strategic vision for how the business will evolve over the next 3-5 years. • 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗲 𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗵𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴: The average Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) for companies that went public in 2022-2023 was $500 million compared to $200 million in 2024. • 𝗦𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗗𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗡𝗼𝘁 𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆: While scale is an important indicator, it 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗲 that a company will meet the desired operating margins post-IPO. • 𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝗠𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗴: Define the company in a single sentence. Investors prefer 𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 to plug into their valuation models. • 𝗚𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 𝗡𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲: A strong growth story remains a 𝗰𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲 of investor confidence. • 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆: The registration statement must articulate 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝘀 in simple terms, comprehensible even to non-specialists. • 𝗔𝗜 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆: An 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗻𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗜—how the company leverages AI—must be simple and free of buzzword-heavy jargon. The opportunities are vast, and the momentum is building. With strategic foresight and disciplined preparation, your company can successfully ride the next IPO wave. Thank you to our sponsors Donnelley Financial Solutions (DFIN), Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati, Gallagher, and Klarity for helping make this a memorable event!

Our Seattle and San Francisco teams recently participated in their annual group outings to foster camaraderie and fun! 🚢 Each group enjoyed a casino-themed dinner cruise. It was a fantastic time of team bonding and connection for our Northwest employees!

Q4 is the opportunity for finance leaders to set up a smooth, low-stress New Year. In February, you want to be saying, “Best decision ever”. So try this…  CONSIDER THESE PROJECTS NOW!  It’s the perfect time to get ahead. 𝟭. 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝘁𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 Feeling comfortable about your team’s capacity or expertise to manage the audit process? Are PCAOB audit uplift discussions happening inside your company or with your auditors?  Connor Group can: • Review and update historical accounting records and provide journal entries to comply with US GAAP, including accruals, invoice testing, search for unrecorded liabilities, etc. • Prepare lead sheets, PBC items, account reconciliations, or roll-forwards and test proper cut-off • Assist in the preparation or review of accounting policies, positions, and conclusions (including those related to FY’24 transactions) • Draft F/S including footnote disclosures and prepare tie-outs and US GAAP disclosure checklist • Work with external auditors to manage the audit 𝟮. 𝗗𝗼 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 𝗦𝗢𝗫 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗰𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝗲𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 Looking to implement SOX 404(a) or 404(b) in the future? Maybe you’re looking to outsource your IA function? Do you have any known material weaknesses that need remediation support?  Connor Group is expert at: • Material weakness remediation assistance • Internal Audit Department outsourcing • Controls implementation and SOX compliance • Support and documentation for business processes or ITGC 𝟯. 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿-𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀  Struggling with your close process (accuracy or timeliness) and require some optimization? Are you considering a financial reporting or close tool?  Connor Group is ready to: • Help schedule demos • Implement FloQast or Blackline close management tool • Implement DFIN Active Disclosure or the Workiva Wdesk reporting tool 𝟰. 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗲 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘀 Are you hoping to get more out of your existing tech stack? Looking for more ways to automate manual processes and analytics? Planning for 2025 Automation and AI initiatives? Connor Group is known for: • Award-winning NetSuite and Order-to-cash optimization and implementation • Developing robust tech strategies including advanced automation, analytics AI, and machine learning • Automating end-to-end processes with powerful integrations and workflow automation 𝟱. 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘆𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗮𝘅𝗶𝗺𝘂𝗺 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 Connor Group is here to help. Do yourself a favor and tackle something in Q4. Your investment will produce big returns in the new fiscal year. DM us for more information or send us an email (see address in first comment).

📢 Are you a leader looking to harness the power of GenAI in your company? Join us for an expert-led discussion on November 12: https://lnkd.in/d__FqxWR This webinar will explore the 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗔𝗜 𝗚𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸, a first-of-its-kind resource for organizations aiming to implement AI responsibly and sustainably. Co-hosts Jason Pikoos and Petr Baudis will address: ➡️ Key considerations for safely integrating GenAI technologies into your organization ➡️ How to align your GenAI initiatives with business strategy, risk management, and governance standards Whether you’re in the public, private, or non-profit sector, our expert panel will share actionable strategies to help you lead in this transformative AI landscape. Register now and take the first step towards mastering GenAI governance.

🤔 How’s the 𝙦𝙪𝙖𝙡𝙞𝙩𝙮 of your customer data? Join us to learn from industry experts how a well-maintained customer master can empower your team to make smarter, data-driven decisions in real-time. Register now: hubs.li/Q02SGL3Z0 Connor Group Partner Aidan Parisian and leaders from Syncari, Helix, and Eigen X will explore: ⚡ The role of a strong customer master across key business domains ⚡ How data quality impacts decision-making and performance ⚡ Strategies for AI-readiness and clean, reliable data ⚡ Proven tactics for maintaining high-quality customer master data Data quality impacts every key decision, from marketing to sales, finance, and beyond – and inaccuracies can lead to ❌inefficiencies, ❌missed opportunities, and ❌costly missteps. Please join us!

Calling all NORTH TEXAS finance executives! Join us for a private dinner and roundtable discussion to explore AI's transformative potential in the finance department. With 65% of organizations and 75% of knowledge workers already leveraging AI, staying ahead of the curve is crucial. This event offers an opportunity to engage with peers and experts and have casual conversations about 𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗚𝗲𝗻𝗔𝗜, 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗔𝗜 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀. Our esteemed speaker lineup includes: ➡️ Jason Pikoos, Managing Partner, Automations & AI at Connor Group ➡️ Beau Bridges, CMgr, MBA, FCMI, Director of Innovation at Forvis Mazars US ➡️ Jotham Ty, CEO at Gappify 𝗦𝗲𝗮𝘁𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 – 𝗿𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻! bit.ly/4ewIy02

📣 Are you: Looking to IPO in the near future? Want to properly prepare? In the Bay Area? Don’t miss our Bay Area IPO Summit, 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗣𝗢 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲. We’re excited to have our friend Andrew Antos, CEO of Klarity, joining us. He will drive our panel discussion on AI adoption and its transformation of business processes. We’re just a few days away – 𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗘𝗥𝗩𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗦𝗣𝗢𝗧: bit.ly/4glFEge

GenAI continues improving at an accelerating rate. 𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘪𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘯𝘦𝘧𝘪𝘵 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨? Join us at Klarity’s Launching with AI Summit in New York to find out ⬇️ Connor Group Partner and AI expert Lauren Bowe will join fellow AI and finance leaders to explore: 💡AI strategy in finance and accounting 💡Practical applications of GenAI 💡Coordinating AI with other finance/accounting systems  … and much more! Learn more and register: https://lnkd.in/gtjS9qps

Beyond balance sheets: the CFO's evolving role now includes being a 𝗰𝘆𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗹 ⚔️ 🛡️ As CFO, you play a crucial role in safeguarding your company’s financial data, intellectual assets, and reputation. Recognizing the increasing prevalence of cybersecurity threats and increasing reliance on IT systems in the financial reporting process, the SEC enacted rules designed to enhance and standardize cybersecurity disclosures. ➡️ The rules require disclosing necessary information annually on 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗠 𝟭𝟬-𝗞 and as needed on 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗠 𝟴-𝗞, as outlined in the attached document. WHY DOES IT MATTER? • Compliance is a 𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘢𝘭 𝘳𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 with penalties for noncompliance • Complete, accurate, and timely disclosures provide investors with 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘪𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘪𝘯𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 about cybersecurity internal processes, risks, and incidents, which helps build and maintain 𝘪𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘧𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 • CFO and Finance Executive involvement in the cybersecurity program helps establish proper budgets and ensures 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦 financial assessment of cybersecurity threats and incidents HOW CAN YOU ENSURE COMPLIANCE? 𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻𝗹𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲! For information about a tailored solution to accurately implement these disclosures, send us a DM to connect with an expert.