Capital Markets Advisory & Assurance*
Capital markets advisory and assurance* services help companies prepare for IPOs, meet SEC reporting requirements, complete PCAOB audits*, and support private equity transactions. Whether you’re preparing for an IPO, navigating SEC reporting as a public company, or working with private equity firms on a transaction, our team brings national-caliber expertise with hands-on, responsive service built for the small-cap and middle-market.
As a PCAOB-registered and top 25* nationally ranked accounting and advisory firm, CRI works across industries, serving companies nationwide ranging from pre-revenue to over $1 billion.
Who We Serve
CRI’s Capital Markets Advisory & Assurance Services are designed for two primary audiences: companies seeking to access public markets and companies working with private equity.
On the public markets side, we work with companies from pre-revenue to over $1 billion in market cap that are pursuing a traditional IPO, a direct listing, or preparing for ongoing life as a public company. On the private equity side, we serve both PE firms and the companies they invest in, typically businesses generating $10 million or more in revenue.
Our clients tend to share a common experience: they’ve outgrown what smaller firms can offer but don’t get the attention they need from the large global firms. CRI fills that gap with senior-level professionals who are accessible, responsive, and focused on your success.
IPO Readiness & Public Company Services
Going public is one of the most consequential milestones a company can pursue. It’s also one of the most demanding. From SEC registration and PCAOB-compliant audits to SOX readiness and ongoing regulatory compliance, the accounting and reporting requirements increase significantly when a company enters public markets.
CRI’s Capital Markets Assurance and Advisory team supports companies through every phase of this process. Our services include:
IPO readiness assessments
Evaluate your accounting infrastructure, internal controls, financial reporting, and corporate governance against public company standards.
SEC registration and reporting
Prepare and file S-1 registration statements and ongoing periodic reports (10-K, 10-Q, 8-K, Registration statements) in compliance with SEC requirements.
PCAOB-compliant audit services
Conduct audits under PCAOB standards, a requirement for all public company financial statements filed with the SEC.
SOX compliance preparation and testing
Design, implement, and test internal controls over financial reporting to meet Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 requirements.
Technical accounting and GAAP advisory
Resolve complex accounting issues related to revenue recognition, business combinations, equity compensation, and other areas that arise during the IPO process.
SALT and income tax provision support
Assist with state and local tax provision calculations and structuring to support accurate financial reporting.
Ongoing public company compliance
Provide continuing audit, tax, and advisory services after the IPO, including support through regulatory changes and follow-on offerings.
Private Equity Accounting & Advisory Services
Private equity transactions demand financial clarity and speed. Whether you’re a PE firm evaluating an acquisition target, a portfolio company preparing for an audit*, or a business owner positioning for a capital raise or exit, the quality of your accounting support directly impacts the outcome.
CRI’s Capital Markets and Private Equity Advisory and Assurance team serves both PE firms and the businesses they invest in. Our services include:
Quality of earnings analyses
Provide detailed, independent assessments of a target’s earnings quality, adjusted EBITDA, and financial sustainability for buy-side and sell-side transactions.
Buy-side and sell-side due diligence
Conduct comprehensive financial diligence to identify risks, validate assumptions, and support informed deal decisions.
Purchase price allocation and valuation services
Perform ASC 805-compliant purchase price allocations and related valuations for business combinations.
Working capital analysis and dispute resolution
Calculate working capital targets, perform true-up analyses, and assist with post-closing disputes between buyers and sellers.
Business combination accounting
Handle the technical accounting requirements that arise from mergers, acquisitions, and carve-outs.
Portfolio company audit and tax services
Provide ongoing audit, tax compliance, and advisory services for PE-backed businesses.
Why Choose CRI for Capital Markets and Private Equity Advisory and Assurance?
Small- and mid-market companies have historically had limited options in the capital markets space. The largest firms focus their attention on the Fortune 500, while smaller firms often lack the technical depth to navigate PCAOB audits, SEC reporting, and the complexities of public company compliance.
CRI bridges that gap. Our Capital Markets and Private Equity Advisory and Assurance team is made up of professionals with decades of experience at the nation’s top firms, now focused on delivering that same level of expertise to the companies that need it most. As a top 25 nationally ranked accounting and advisory firm with a broad footprint across the United States, CRI combines the resources of a national practice with the responsiveness and personal attention of a dedicated, senior-led team.
We are PCAOB-registered and serve clients nationwide in all areas of public company compliance and private equity accounting.
Industries We Serve
While CRI’s Capital Markets and Private Equity Advisory and Assurance practice works across all industries, we have developed particular depth in several sectors where capital markets activity is concentrated:
Technology and software companies, hardware-as-a-service businesses, tech-driven manufacturing and distribution, life sciences and biotech, financial services, and consumer products. Regardless of industry, every business can benefit from a potential relationship with CRI’s Capital Markets and Private Equity Advisory and Assurance team. Whether a company is considering an IPO, exploring private equity options, or simply wants to understand what it takes to access external capital, our team is built to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an IPO readiness assessment?
An IPO readiness assessment is a comprehensive review of a company’s accounting infrastructure, financial reporting, internal controls, and corporate governance against the standards required of a public company. It identifies gaps that need to be addressed before filing a registration statement with the SEC. Most companies begin this process 12 to 24 months before their target listing date.
Does my company need a PCAOB audit to go public?
Yes. All companies filing financial statements with the SEC are required to have those statements audited by a firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB). PCAOB audits follow stricter standards than the GAAS audits used for private companies, including heightened independence requirements and more detailed reporting obligations.
What size companies does CRI support in the capital markets space?
CRI’s Capital Markets practice serves companies ranging from pre-revenue to over $1 billion market cap on the public markets side, with a sweet spot in the $50 million to $200 million range. On the private equity side, we typically work with companies generating $10 million or more in revenue.
What is a quality of earnings report?
A quality of earnings (Q of E) report is an independent analysis of a company’s financial performance, typically prepared during a private equity transaction. It evaluates the sustainability and accuracy of reported earnings by examining revenue quality, expense normalization, working capital trends, and potential adjustments to EBITDA. Q of E reports are used by both buyers and sellers to support deal pricing and negotiation.
How does CRI differ from global firms for capital markets services?
CRI provides the same technical depth as the largest firms, including PCAOB-compliant audits, SEC reporting, and SOX compliance, but with a service model designed for small-cap and middle-market companies. That means senior-level professionals who are directly accessible, faster response times, more flexible engagement structures, and pricing that reflects the scope of mid-market engagements rather than Fortune 500 overhead.
What are the new NASDAQ listing requirements?
NASDAQ has proposed updated listing standards that include higher public float market capitalization thresholds (a minimum of $15 million for companies using the net income path) and accelerated delisting procedures for companies with market caps below $5 million. Companies planning an IPO should work with their accounting and legal advisors to ensure they meet both current and proposed requirements.
Get Started
Whether your company is preparing for an IPO, navigating SEC compliance, or working through a private equity transaction, CRI’s Capital Markets and Private Equity Advisory and Assurance team is able to support you. Contact us to schedule a consultation with one of our capital markets professionals.
