7 Disadvantages of Doing Business As a Public Corporation

Recently, I wrote about the advantages of taking a3. When you take your company public, you now have
company public but as you know, whatsoever has anto serve three bodies. You will now have to serve
advantage has a corresponding disadvantage. Thoughyour customers, government agencies or regulatory
you might call them disadvantages, I prefer to call themand the investors. This might be too cumbersome or
challenges.stressful for some entrepreneurs to handle.
I hope you know that forming a public corporation is4. Public Corporations are subjected to more legal
the same as taking a company public.restrictions than other type of entities.
Below are 7 reasons why most entrepreneurs shy5. When you take a company public, your company
away from forming a public corporation or taking theirbecomes subjected to stiff accounting rules and
company public.principles.
1. The management structure in a public corporation is6. When you form a public corporation, your business
usually decentralized so therefore the managers are inaffairs and financial statements can't be kept secret
most cases not the business owners. Since they areany longer. It must be published to the public at large.
managers, they may not be motivated towards the7. Public corporations are subjected to heavy
company's goal and vision as the entrepreneur thatcorporate tax. They pay both federal and state tax.
created the business.Public corporations are also subjected to double
While the entrepreneur may be driven by the desire totaxation. They are taxed based on their earnings and
fill a need and build a successful business, the managerthe shareholders are taxed based on their dividend.
may be driven by bonus, incentives, job title, promotionIn conclusion, I want you to also know that public
and the salary, not the entrepreneur's vision.corporations face severe penalties if they go wrong or
2. Taking a company public is very expensive due tomis-inform the public, so professionalism and
legal fees, meeting up with the demand of governmenttransparency are the rules of the game. However, if
agencies and regulatory bodies and also the cost ofyou are daring, you might decide to take your
undertaking an IPO (Initial Public Offer) adds to thecompany public. It is all part of the challenges of
burden.entrepreneurship.