ASL’s Valuation Team recently prepared 409A valuations of VC funded biotech companies located in the U.K. We would like to share some insight into U.K. share schemes and compare them to U.S. stock option plans. To start with, in the U.S., they are called plans whereas in the U.K., they are called schemes. (more…)
CPAs Talk Tech Biz
A blog for the owners, founders, and executives of privately held technology companies.
NextPlanning for the Unexpected
By Patrick Ngai, CPA, Audit Manager
Proactive and careful planning is an essential part of managing a successful Silicon Valley business. Executives often spend the closing months of the year engaged in a comprehensive analysis of business performance and identifying future goals and benchmarks. Typically, this process includes a close look at sales numbers, account management, production timelines, new service/product innovation and budgeting. In addition, time is spent reviewing department performance, conducting individual employee reviews and determining whether it is time to bring additional resources to the table. While all of these are necessary tasks to maintain the vitality of a business, it is important to also dedicate time to planning for the unexpected. Businesses in California need to operate against the backdrop of natural disasters such as earthquakes and wildfires. For this reason, it is imperative to have a disaster recovery plan in place should the unexpected occur. Below is a summary of key planning issues to consider. (more…)
2019 Technology Round Up
By Patrick Ngai, CPA, Audit Manager
Here we are, well into the month of December 2019. It seems like almost yesterday when I wrote the article, Top Tech Trends in 2018. As they say, time waits for absolutely nobody. As we prepare to say goodbye to the 2010s as a decade, I would like to take a minute to summarize five technology trends from the past twelve months. (more…)
Getting Ready for an External Audit? Five Tips to Make the Process Easier on You and Your Auditor
Companies often need financial audits when they seek additional funds or have to satisfy the requirements of owners, creditors, investors and other outside parties who want a higher level of comfort on the accuracy of financial statements.
My experience auditing privately held companies has taught me that a few proactive measures can go a long way in avoiding audit delays, keeping you and your auditor on track, and ensuring a smoother audit process for all. So, let’s jump right into those tips, shall we? (more…)
Secondary Transactions and 409A Valuations – Part 2: FF Preferred Stock
In Part 1 of this series (Secondary Transactions and 409A Valuations – Part 1: The Potential Impact), we discussed secondary transactions and their impact on 409A Valuations. To recap, the liquidity that some founders and early employees receive from their company or outside investors, considered secondary transactions, can sometimes re-establish the price per share for stock option grant (409A) purposes at the same price as the secondary transaction. Secondary transactions are often done in conjunction with a funding round so they are often at the same price as the round’s preferred stock. If common stock was sold in the secondary transaction, future option grants may have to be granted at this higher price, which is not ideal for new employees receiving options based on the latest preferred stock price. (more…)
Another Lease Accounting Deferral – and More!
It’s all but official. On October 16th, the FASB voted to approve delays for private companies on three new accounting standards, one of which is Leases. The expected Accounting Standards Update (ASU), on which FASB voting will be the official action to implement the deferrals, is expected in November. By the way, the other two standards deferred under this vote are “credit losses” (or CECL) and “hedging”. As the effective date draws closer, we will certainly be posting about CECL, since some aspects apply to all companies. (more…)
To Outsource or Not? That Is the Question
Outsourcing can cover a myriad of business activities, but those most frequently considered are the back-office functions of accounting, IT and Human Resources/Recruiting, especially at micro to mid-sized companies. A quick study of Deloitte’s “Global Outsourcing Survey” for 2016 and 2018 demonstrates the maturation of outsourcing strategy. While these surveys include mostly very large participant companies, it is clear that outsourcing is now seen as a vehicle for significant strategic advantage by “buying” available capabilities to realize advantages faster than developing strategic “assets”. (more…)
AI in Accounting – Embracing a Brave New World!
Well…it’s all but HERE! For those of you who were hoping it wouldn’t come, it is best to switch gears and consider how to best harness the change to your advantage. The alternative is to risk being left behind in a world where accountants become less known for routine detailed tasks and are more often thought of as insightful, intuitive and forward-thinking strategic assets.
Sound like hyperbole? Read on… (more…)
More About Leases (Some Good News!)
Challenges in keeping up with GAAP have never been greater, with pervasive changes in revenue recognition requirements set to hit most private companies this year, to be closely followed next year by getting most leases on the balance sheet for the first time. These confusing standards, along with the usual host of less widespread financial reporting changes, are daunting (to say the least). (more…)