Closely Held Corporation
A closely held corporation, also known as a closely held company or a close corporation, is a type of corporation in which the ownership is concentrated among a small number of shareholders. These shareholders often hold a majority of the company’s shares and can actively participate in the management and decision-making processes. In many cases, the shareholders in a closely held corporation are family members, friends, or business associates who have invested in the company.
Closely held corporations differ from publicly held corporations in several ways:
- Limited market for shares: The shares of a closely held corporation are not publicly traded on stock exchanges, which means there is a limited market for buying and selling the shares. Shareholders may need to sell their shares back to the company or to other existing shareholders, often following specific rules and restrictions outlined in the company’s shareholder agreement.
- Fewer disclosure requirements: Closely held corporations are not subject to the same stringent financial reporting and disclosure requirements as publicly held corporations. This can reduce administrative costs and provide more privacy regarding the company’s financial information.
- Active shareholder participation: Shareholders in a closely held corporation often have a more active role in the management and decision-making process, as they typically have a greater stake in the company’s success. This can lead to a more hands-on approach to running the business.
- Greater flexibility: Closely held corporations can benefit from greater flexibility in terms of corporate governance, as they are not subject to the same regulatory oversight as publicly held corporations. This allows the company to make quicker decisions and adapt more easily to changing business conditions.
While closely held corporations offer several advantages, they also face some potential drawbacks, such as limited access to capital, potential conflicts among shareholders, and a reduced ability to attract and retain top talent through stock options or other equity incentives.
Example of a Closely Held Corporation
Let’s consider a fictional example of a closely held corporation called “EcoFriendly Furniture Inc.”
EcoFriendly Furniture Inc. is a family-owned business that designs, manufactures, and sells environmentally friendly home furniture. The company was founded by the Johnson family, who are still the primary shareholders. The company has 100,000 shares outstanding, with the following ownership structure:
- John Johnson (Founder): 45,000 shares (45% ownership)
- Jane Johnson (John’s spouse): 25,000 shares (25% ownership)
- Jim Johnson (John and Jane’s son): 20,000 shares (20% ownership)
- Mary Johnson (John and Jane’s daughter): 10,000 shares (10% ownership)
The Johnson family members actively participate in the company’s management, with John serving as the CEO, Jane as the CFO, and Jim and Mary in key managerial roles. The family has chosen not to take the company public, as they prefer to maintain control over the business operations and decision-making process.
As a closely held corporation, EcoFriendly Furniture Inc. is not required to disclose its financial information publicly or adhere to the same stringent reporting standards as a publicly traded company. This allows the Johnson family to maintain privacy regarding the company’s financial performance and make decisions more quickly and flexibly.
However, because EcoFriendly Furniture Inc. is not publicly traded, the company may face challenges in raising capital, as its shares cannot be easily bought or sold on the stock market. Additionally, potential conflicts among the family members could impact the company’s management and decision-making process.
In this example, EcoFriendly Furniture Inc. illustrates the typical characteristics of a closely held corporation: concentrated ownership, active shareholder participation, and limited public disclosure requirements.
