IPO Edge hosted a fireside chat from the floor of the New York Stock Exchange during the 3rd Annual Private Equity IPO Summit with Shauna Watson, Managing Director, Head of IPO Readiness at Accordion. The in-person interview was joined by Editor-in-Chief John Jannarone and they discussed how longer private equity holding periods are prompting firms to intensify cost-cutting and EBITDA growth initiatives while urging portfolio companies to begin preparing for an eventual exit 18 to 24 months in advance, as potential SEC reforms could further ease the path to going public.
“We have seen the hold periods become longer, and I think that’s just made the private equity firms double down on the value creation plan, cost takeout, and growing the EBITDA so that the multiples are better when the exit does happen,” highlighted Ms. Watson.
About Shauna Watson
Shauna, CPA, is a Managing Director and the Head of Accordion’s IPO Readiness Practice, with nearly three decades of experience spanning a variety of sectors including consulting, energy & aerospace, and defense. She is a subject matter expert in US GAAP, IFRS, SOX, and SEC Regulations. Shauna has helped companies implement new accounting standards like leases and revenue recognition, and has also worked on complicated deal and accounting structures often seen in M&A, carve-outs, IPOs, and GAAP conversions.
At RGP, a global consulting company, she led the technical accounting practice and developed end-to-end solutions for revenue recognition and lease accounting compliance, achieving triple digit year-over-year growth. She was a recognized and frequent presenter on technical accounting matters.
As Corporate Director of Technical Accounting and Policy at Northrop Grumman, a Fortune 100 Aerospace & Defense company, she evaluated and concluded on complex business transactions, drafted comment letters for submission to the SEC, FASB, IASB, and PCAOB, and led the ongoing IFRS implementation efforts. From that she transitioned into the Corporate Director of FP&A role, responsible for monthly planning and analysis, what-if scenarios for potential executive actions, the long range strategic plan, and reporting to the Board of Directors.
During her 11 years at PricewaterhouseCoopers, she was a Senior Manager in Audit and Advisory Services, and spent several years in PwC’s Global Capital Markets Group in Germany. There she consulted on US GAAP and SEC regulations for capital raising and M&A activities.
Shauna graduated with the highest honors from Montana State University with a B.S. in Accounting, received her M.B.A. from UCLA’s Anderson School of Business, and is a Certified Public Accountant.
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About Accordion
Accordion sits at the heart of private equity — where sponsors and CFOs meet. Through financial consulting rooted in data, technology, and AI, we help clients drive value. Our services support the Office of the CFO across all stages of the investment lifecycle — including budgeting, forecasting, reporting, foundational accounting, strategic financial planning and analysis enhancement, CFO-led performance, transaction support, and turnaround and restructuring solutions. Accordion is headquartered in New York with ten offices around the globe.
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