IPO Time & Responsibility Schedule
Document/TaskResponsible PartyDue DateStatusComments
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1
-ADVANCE PREPARATION
2
Prepare and distribute “publicity” memorandum for distribution to officers and directors of CO regarding informational restrictions in connection with offering
CC
3
Identify LU
CO, CC
4
Meeting between CO and IA concerning need for change in accounting procedures (e.g., instituting necessary procedures and controls to produce reports required under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), when CO is a public company
CO, IA
5
-Meeting between CO and CC working groups regarding drafting responsibilities, pre-IPO planning issues and “corporate cleanup.” The following matters should be discussed:
CO, CC
6
(a) Amendments to Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws
7
(b) Creation of, or revisions to, employment agreements
8
(c) Amendments to stock option plan and creation of any other desired equity compensation plan
9
(d) Revision of existing employee benefit plans to comply with securities law requirements
10
(e) Confirmation that all existing employee benefit plans comply with requirements of ERISA and other applicable laws
11
(f) Determination of post-offering status of stockholders’ and voting trust agreements and other restrictions on voting and transfer of stock
12
(g) Examination of covenants in leases and other contracts that restrict, or limit use of proceeds of, a public offering, or that restrict dividend payments
13
(h) Discussion of takeover protections
14
(i) Collection of exhibits to Registration Statement and conversion to electronic form
15
(j) Determine material agreements for which confidential treatment will be requested
16
Commence drafting necessary “corporate cleanup” documents (e.g., charter and bylaw amendments, employment agreements, amendments to stock option plan) and documents necessary to effect any recapitalization, determine director independence; reset committees of the Board; designate Section 16 officers and Board resolutions necessary to authorize the public offering.
CC, reviewed by UC
17
18
-ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING
19
-Organizational meeting, at which the following matters should occur or be discussed:
CO, CC, LU, UC, IA
20
(a) Distribute working group list (including direct lines, cell and home phone numbers and physical delivery and email addresses)
21
(b) Draft and distribute a time and responsibility schedule, including specific assignments of responsibilities
22
-(c) Terms of offering
23
(1) primary and secondary shares
24
(2) over-allotment option (“Green Shoe”)
25
(d) Timetable
26
(e) Selection of financial printer
27
(f) Selection of banknote company
28
(g) Selection of transfer agent
29
(h) Appropriateness of certain “corporate cleanup” matters (e.g., employment agreements, takeover protections) in light of marketing considerations
30
(i) Listing on NYSE or on the Nasdaq National Market and apply for trading symbol
31
(j) Discussion of required financial statements and of any special accounting problems
32
(k) Discussion of any anticipated disclosure problems
33
(l) Discussion of anticipated NASD or Blue Sky problems
34
(m) Arrangements with stockholders who have registration rights
35
(n) Desirability of pre-filing conference with the SEC, Blue Sky authorities and/or the NASD
36
(o) Recapitalization of CO (e.g., reverse stock split) that may be required prior to offering
37
(p) Discussion of lock-up agreements and any desired stockholder concessions
38
(q) Discussion of press release under Rule 135 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
39
(r) Determine possible reservation of securities for employees and business associates of the CO (i.e., Directed Share Program)
40
41
-WEEK ONE
42
Distribute first draft of Registration Statement
CO, CC
43
-Examine CO’s charter, bylaws, minute books, stockholder agreements, etc., to determine, among other things, the following:
CC
44
(a) Due incorporation
45
(b) Good standing (consider sending for long-form certificate from Secretary of State with certified copies of all charter documents)
46
(c) Due qualification to do business in the jurisdictions required (consider obtaining certificate from CO's Secretary showing each jurisdiction in which CO has property or operations)
47
(d) Existence of preemptive rights and whether they have been honored, restrictions on issuance or transfer of stock, declaration and payment of dividends or issuance of debt and prior compliance therewith, and any other material limitations on CO’s operations
48
-(e) Compliance with corporate requirements of the state of incorporation relating to CO’s outstanding securities
49
(1) Corporate authority to issue stock and proper corporate action
50
(2) Minimum capitalization
51
(3) “Fully paid and nonassessable” (consider obtaining certificate of CO’s Treasurer or auditors regarding full payment)
52
(4) Adequate consideration
53
(5) Form of stock certificate
54
Transmit due diligence document request list to CO
UC
55
Continue business due diligence and commence legal due diligence review of material contracts, litigation, claims and contingent liabilities, past corporate action (minute books, stock records, charter, bylaws, etc.), financial statements, documentation with regard to outstanding securities, etc.
LU, UC
56
Send bid letters to appropriate financial printers
CO, CC
57
Send Officers’, Directors’ and 5% Stockholders’ Questionnaires to officers, directors and 5% or more stockholders of CO
CO or CC
58
Commence preparation of Underwriting Agreement, Agreement Among Underwriters, Underwriters’ Questionnaire, Underwriters’ Power of Attorney and Preliminary Blue Sky Survey
UC
59
If secondary offering is involved, prepare Selling Stockholders’ Questionnaire and other Selling Stockholder documents, including a Custody Agreement and a Power of Attorney
CC (or Selling Stockholders’ Counsel, if different), reviewed by UC
60
Commence preparation of necessary financial statements
IA
61
Draft powers of attorney for Registration Statement and amendments thereto, if needed (these will typically be contained in signature page of Registration Statement)
CO, CC
62
Select banknote company to print stock certificates
CO, CC
63
Advise banknote company of schedule and arrange for printing of stock certificates
CO
64
Select Transfer Agent and Registrar
CO
65
Determine availability and reserve desired trading symbol
CO, CC
66
67
-WEEK TWO
68
Registration Statement drafting session
CO, CC, LU, UC, IA
69
Distribute underwriting documents
LU, UC
70
Commence negotiations with lessors concerning necessary consents and revisions of covenants that would restrict offering, use of proceeds thereof or dividends
CO, CC
71
Contact Nasdaq or NYSE regarding preclearance; file NYSE or Nasdaq application
CC
72
Select financial printer
CO, CC
73
Revise and distribute Registration Statement
CO, CC
74
Distribute drafts of financial statements
CO, IA
75
76
-WEEK THREE
77
Second meeting to discuss Registration Statement and Underwriting Agreement
CO, CC, LU, UC, IA
78
Discuss comfort letter content and procedures
UC, LU, IA
79
Obtain completed Questionnaires and Powers of Attorney, if any, from officers, directors and 5% or more stockholders of CO
CO or CC
80
Revise and distribute Registration Statement
CO, CC
81
Assemble exhibits and deliver electronic versions to printer; prepare final forms of confidential treatment requests
CO, CC
82
Draft of Registration Statement to printer
CC
83
Draft of Underwriting Agreement to printer
UC
84
Finalize and circulate “corporate cleanup” and recapitalization documents
CO, CC
85
86
-WEEK FOUR
87
Meetings at printer to discuss and finalize Registration Statement
CO, CC, LU, UC, IA
88
Circulate draft of comfort letter
IA
89
Prepare Form 8-A for Exchange Act registration
CO, CC
90
Arrange to have execution copy of the signature pages printed and signed by necessary officers and directors (these pages may, if acceptable to the persons signing, include designations of certain individuals to sign amendments to the Registration Statement as attorneys-in-fact on their behalf)
CO, CC
91
Arrange to have execution pages for accountant’s opinions and consents delivered, executed and returned in time for filing
CC, IA
92
Arrange for consents of persons about to become directors, if required (see Rule 438 under the Securities Act)
CC
93
Finalize and execute Powers of Attorney and Custody Agreements and arrange for placement of Selling Stockholders’ stock certificates with Custodian prior to filing with SEC, if possible (custodian is often the Transfer Agent and Registrar), if applicable
CO, CC
94
Confirm approval for NYSE or Nasdaq
CO, CC
95
Circulate revised proofs of Registration Statement and Underwriting Agreement
CC, UC
96
-Meeting of Board of Directors of CO to approve offering and “corporate cleanup” matters, including adoption of resolutions relating to:
CO, CC
97
(a) Authorizing issuance, sale and delivery of stock
98
(b) Participation by Selling Stockholder(s), if applicable
99
(c) Appointing a pricing committee of the Board of Directors to establish the price of stock to the Underwriters and the initial public offering price
100
(d) Approving Registration Statement and prospectus and authorizing execution and filing of Registration Statement and all amendments thereto
101
(e) Authorizing listing of stock
102
(f) Appointment of transfer agent and registrar
103
(g) Approving all necessary “corporate cleanup” matters
104
(h) Approving recapitalization, if necessary
105
(i) Calling a special meeting of stockholders, if necessary
106
(j) Approving form of stock certificate
107
(k) Blue Sky matters
108
(l) Designating Section 16 Officers
109
(m) Setting slate of officers
110
(n) Confirming membership of board committees
111
Special meeting (or written consent in lieu of meeting) of stockholders of CO, at which resolutions are adopted approving any recapitalization, approval of any new compensation plans or amending current plans and all “corporate cleanup” matters that require stockholder approval
CO, CC
112
File charter amendments necessary to effect reverse stock split, if applicable
CO, CC
113
Finalize financial statements
CO, IA
114
Finalize form of Underwriting Agreement
CO, CC, LU, UC
115
Notify NYSE or Nasdaq at least two business days prior to expected filing date for approval
CC
116
Give instructions to printer with respect to the mailing of preliminary materials
LU
117
Determine quantities of preliminary offering materials required and give printer instructions re same
CO, LU, UC
118
Finalize compilation and preparation of exhibits to Registration Statement; finalize all confidential treatment requests
CO, CC
119
Prepare transmittal letter to SEC (for filing requirements, see Rule 402 under the Securities Act)
CC
120
Obtain approval letter from NYSE or Nasdaq
CO, CC
121
Prepare transmittal letter to NASD
UC
122
Finalize comfort letter
LU, IA, UC
123
Arrange for wire transfer of SEC filing fee
CO
124
Prepare wire for NASD and NYSE/Nasdaq filing fees
CO, CC
125
126
-WEEK FIVE
127
File Registration Statement with SEC via EDGAR
CC
128
File Registration Statement and related materials with NASD and NYSE/Nasdaq
UC
129
File Form ID with SEC to reserve electronic filing codes for CO
CO or CC
130
Notify parties that filing is accomplished and specify the SEC Registration Number
CC or UC
131
If appropriate, issue brief press release re filing of Registration Statement (See Rule 134)
CO, LU
132
Have signed copies of Registration Statement distributed to CO, CC, IA, LU and UC
CO or CC
133
Prepare application for CUSIP number, apply for CUSIP number for stock; send copy of Registration Statement to CUSIP Service Bureau
CO, CC
134
Commence getting SEC EDGAR codes for directors, executive officers and 10% or greater holders (together the “Section 16 Reporting Persons”) either by means of SEC Form ID or get numbers for those reporting persons who have already been assigned such codes. Begin preparation of initial report of beneficial ownership of equity securities (Form 3) required under Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act for officers, directors and 10% or more stockholders of CO (required to be filed by the effective date of Exchange Act registration)
CO, CC
135
Review proof of form of stock certificate
CO, CC
136
137
-WEEK SEVEN
138
Request estimated date on which SEC comments will be furnished
CC
139
File documents and otherwise finalize arrangements with Transfer Agent and Registrar necessary for its initial appointment
CO, CC
140
Obtain CUSIP number for stock
CO, CC
141
Approve final proof of form of stock certificate
CO, CC
142
Begin preparation of closing documents
CC
143
Resolve outstanding issues with NASD and Blue Sky administrators
UC
144
Resolve issues with NYSE/Nasdaq
CO, CC
145
146
-WEEK TEN
147
Receive comments from SEC
CC
148
Review SEC comments and draft changes to Registration Statement in response thereto; clear responses to comment letter and schedule for filing of amendment to, and effectiveness of, Registration Statement (and Form 8-A, if applicable) with SEC
CO, CC, LU, UC, IA
149
Send letters of invitation, preliminary prospectuses, Underwriters’ Questionnaires, Powers of Attorney to prospective underwriters
LU
150
151
-WEEK THIRTEEN
152
Print preliminary prospectuses in quantity
CO
153
154
-WEEK FOURTEEN
155
Commence information meetings (“Road Show”)
CO, LU
156
If the amended preliminary prospectus incorporates substantial changes from prior distributed preliminary prospectus, consider recirculating preliminary prospectus
CC, UC
157
Obtain NASD clearance of underwriting arrangements
LU, UC
158
Prepare requests for acceleration of effective date of Registration Statement (see Rule 461) (and Form 8-A, if applicable) and pricing prospectus transmittal letter (see Rule 430A)
CO, CC, LU, UC
159
Distribute initial draft of closing memorandum
UC
160
Notify NYSE/Nasdaq of expected effective date of Registration Statement no less than 72 hours prior to anticipated effectiveness
CO, CC
161
Send acceleration request of CO to SEC at least two business days in advance of desired effective date, together with letter of Managing Underwriter(s) joining in such request and providing information concerning distribution of preliminary prospectuses (see Rule 15c2-8 under the Exchange Act and Release No. 33-4968)
CC, UC
162
File letter with SEC requesting acceleration of effective date of Form 8-A, if applicable
CC
163
File letter from LU joining in request for effectiveness of registration statement.
UC
164
Deadline for receiving completed Underwriters’ Questionnaire and Underwriters’ Powers of Attorney from syndicate members
LU
165
166
-WEEK SIXTEEN
167
Complete Road Show
CO, LU
168
Ensure that CO has obtained the necessary authorizations and approvals of the offering from regulatory agencies, if any
CO, CC
169
File Form 8-A (to be declared effective concurrently with the Registration Statement)
CCPricing Day
170
Registration Statement and Form 8-A declared effective by SEC (5:00 p.m., Eastern time)
CC
171
Underwriter notified of effectiveness
CC
172
File Form S-8 relating to the CO’s option plans and any employee stock purchase plan
CC
173
NYSE/Nasdaq notified of effectiveness of Registration Statement and Form 8-A, if applicable
CC
174
Syndicate notified of effectiveness
LU
175
Meeting of pricing committee of the Board of Directors to establish the price of stock to the Underwriters and the initial public offering price thereof and to approve final form of Underwriting Agreement
CO, CC
176
Prepare “tombstone” advertisement
LU, UC
177
Give printer labels and mailing instructions for final prospectus
LU
178
Complete Blue Sky registration
UC
179
Deliver comfort letter (5:00 p.m., Eastern time)
IA
180
Sign Agreement Among Underwriters (5:15 p.m., Eastern time)
LU
181
Sign Underwriting Agreement (5:30 p.m., Eastern time)
CO, LU
182
File initial reports of beneficial ownership (Form 3) on behalf of officers, directors and 10% or more stockholders of CO as of the date of effectiveness (may be pre-filed)
CC
183
Prepare final prospectus containing pricing information (Rules 424(b) and 430A)
CC, UC
184
Issue press release re effectiveness of Registration Statement and price of stock
CO, LUOffering Day (day after pricing)
185
Deliver copy of final prospectus to NASD
UC
186
Deliver copy of final prospectus to Nasdaq
CC
187
Release “tombstone”
LU
188
Begin market-making activities
LU
189
Sign Selected Dealers’ Agreements
LU
190
Distribute revised draft of closing memorandum
UC
191
Commence final preparation of legal opinions, certificates and other closing documents
UC, CC, TA
192
Contact banknote company to arrange for printing in quantity of stock certificates
CO
193
Print final prospectus in quantity
CO
194
Furnish CO and Transfer Agent and Registrar with names and denominations in which stock certificates are to be registered
LU
195
“Tombstone” advertisement appears
LUDay after Offering Day
196
Notify syndicate of closing date and give instructions re payment
LU
197
CC opinion and instructions for certificates to Transfer Agent and Registrar
CO, CC
198
Preliminary closing (2:00 p.m., Eastern time)
CO, CC, UC1 day prior to Closing
199
Complete Blue Sky Survey
UC
200
Stock certificates packaged for closing
LU, TA
201
Closing (9:00 a.m., Eastern time)
CO, CC, LU, UC, TAClosing Day
202
Monitor undertakings in Registration Statement for compliance
CCPost-Closing, as appropriate
203
Prepare bound volumes
CC
204
File report on Form 10-Q with SEC
CO, CC, IAWithin 45 days from the end of the first fiscal quarter ending after effective date of Registration Statement
205
File report on Form 10-K with SEC re offering expenses and use of proceeds
CO, CC, IAWithin 90 days from the end of the fiscal year ending after the effective date of the Registration Statement
206
Provide Underwriters with copies of filings as agreed upon in Underwriting Agreement
CO, CC