{{Short description|American software company}} {{Multiple issues| {{Undisclosed paid|date=February 2021}} {{Promotional|date=February 2025}} }} {{Infobox company | name = Workiva Inc. | logo = Workiva_Logo_Bright_Green.png | image_size = 250px | foundation = 2008 | industry = {{ubl | Cloud computing | Computer software | Enterprise software }} | type = Public | traded_as = {{NYSE|WK}} (Class A)<br />Russell 2000 Component | location_city = Ames, Iowa | location_country = US | key_people = Julie Iskow (President & CEO)<br /> Jill Klindt (CFO)<br /> Brandon Ziegler (Legal) <ref name="auto">{{Cite web|url=https://www.workiva.com/uk/about/leadership-team|title=About Us - Leadership Team |website=Workiva.com|access-date=22 July 2022}}</ref> | products = | services = Cloud computing | revenue = {{Increase}} $739m (2024) | net_income = {{Increase}} -$55m (2024) | footnotes = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1445305/000144530525000034/wk-20241231.htm|title=Workiva 2024 10-K|website=SEC.gov|access-date=2025-05-29}}</ref> | num_employees = {{Increase}} 2,828 (2024) | assets = {{Increase}} $1.4b (2024) | equity = {{Increase}} -$41.7m (2024) | homepage = {{URL|www.workiva.com}} }}
'''Workiva, Inc.''' is a global software-as-a-service (SaaS) company.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.workiva.com/uk/blog/why-our-customers-choose-workiva-and-cloud-security|title = Why Customers Choose Workiva and the Cloud: Security | Workiva}}</ref> It provides a cloud-based connected and reporting compliance platform that enables the use of connected data and automation of reporting across finance, accounting, risk, and compliance.
== History ==
=== Early history ===
==== 2008 - 2014 ==== In August 2008, Workiva Inc. was formed as WebFilings LLC in California by Jerry Behar and a team of five other entrepreneurs.<ref>{{Cite web|title=ChartEXE: Market Data Aggregation Service|url=https://chartexe.com/article/0001445305/2020-10-23/0001014008|access-date=2020-11-20|website=ChartEXE: Market Data Aggregation Service|language=en}}</ref>
Martin Vanderploeg was a co-founder of EAI and served as CTO and Executive Vice President until they were acquired in 2000 by UGS Corp,<ref name="SEC Tender Offer - Purchase of Engineering Animations">{{cite web|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1055246/000095012400005424/c57319scto-c.txt|title=SEC TENDER OFFER STATEMENT (c57319scto-c.txt)|date=September 5, 2000|website=SEC.gov|publisher=Security and Exchange Commission}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://people.equilar.com/bio/martin-vanderploeg-workiva-inc./salary/951936|title=Martin J. Vanderploeg Ph.D. - Executive Bio, Work History, and Contacts - Equilar BoardEdge|website=people.equilar.com|access-date=2019-03-22|archive-date=2019-03-22|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322163651/https://people.equilar.com/bio/martin-vanderploeg-workiva-inc./salary/951936|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/person.asp?personId=347775&privcapId=75963230|title=Person|website=Bloomberg}}</ref> and is now a division of Siemens, the German technology multinational.<ref name="auto"/>
The Workiva Platform is a cloud-based enterprise software-as-a-service platform that enables companies to collect, manage, report and analyse critical business data in real time.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/workiva-ipo/data-analytics-company-workiva-files-for-ipo-idUSL3N0SC5KF20141017|title=Workiva Analytics|website=Reuters|date=17 October 2014 }}</ref> Wdesk also allows companies to manage and file financial and compliance documents to regulatory agencies.<ref>{{Cite news |last= |first= |date=2019-09-09 |title=Workiva Announces 2019 Partner Award Winners at Amplify User Conference {{!}} Financial Post |url=https://business.financialpost.com/pmn/press-releases-pmn/business-wire-news-releases-pmn/workiva-announces-2019-partner-award-winners-at-amplify-user-conference |access-date=2019-09-13 |newspaper=Financial Post |language=en-CA}}</ref>
Workiva integrates information from disparate content formats, including spreadsheets, presentation documents, emails and other unstructured data, into a single cloud-based report.<ref name="Gartner Magic Quadrant Study 2016">{{cite web|url=https://www.gartner.com/doc/reprints?id=1-38CBQOH&ct=160531&st=sb&aliId=37421204|title=Magic Quadrant for Financial Corporate Performance Management Solutions|last1=Van Decker|first1=John E.|last2=Iervolino|first2=Christopher|date=May 2016|website=Gartner|access-date=28 September 2016|ref=ID: G0027739.}}</ref><ref name="Kugel - July 2016, Workiva capabilities, applications">{{cite web|url=https://robertkugel.ventanaresearch.com/2016/07/01/workiva-automates-composite-documents-with-wdesk/|title=Workiva Automates Composite Documents with Workiva|last1=Kugel|first1=Robert|date=July 2016|website=Ventana Research|access-date=1 November 2016}}</ref>
In July 2014, the company changed its name to Workiva LLC.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=1 July 2014 |title=WebFilings changes name to Workiva |url=https://www.amestrib.com/story/news/local/2014/07/01/webfilings-changes-name-to-workiva/27287237007/ |access-date=2026-01-15 |website=The Ames Tribune |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Sparty S-1|url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1445305/000144530514004325/spartys-1.htm|access-date=2019-03-07|website=Sec.gov}}</ref>
=== Recent history === ==== 2014 - 2019 ==== The company went public in December 2014 and with an IPO on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: WK).<ref name="Workiva going public">{{cite web|url=http://www.isupark.org/workiva-of-ames-plans-initial|title=WORKIVA OF AMES PLANS INITIAL PUBLIC OFFERING|date=October 19, 2014|website=Isupark.org|publisher=Iowa State University Research Park Corporation|access-date=October 31, 2016|archive-date=November 1, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161101101840/http://www.isupark.org/workiva-of-ames-plans-initial|url-status=dead}}</ref>
Deloitte's 2015 Technology Fast 500 survey of fastest growing technology companies in America Workiva ranked fiftieth among all software companies.<ref name="Deloitte's 2015 Tech Fast 500">{{cite web|url=https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/us/Documents/technology-media-telecommunications/Technology-Fast-500-Winners-Brochure.PDF|title=Deloitte's 2015 Technology Fast 500|website=Deloitte.com|publisher=Deloitte & Touche LLP}}</ref> In the DevOps Excellence Awards 2019, Workiva won Best Software-Defined Product.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.computing.co.uk/ctg/news/3072902/devops-excellence-awards-2019-and-the-winners-are?sc_cid=701f2000000txokAAA&|title=DevOps Excellence Awards 2019 - And the winners are... {{!}} Computing|date=2019-03-20|website=Computing.co.uk|language=en|access-date=2019-04-02}}</ref>
In May 2019, Workiva opened offices in Frankfurt, Germany, and Paris, France.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Workiva opens German, French offices|url=https://www.amestrib.com/news/20190501/workiva-opens-german-french-offices|access-date=2020-06-22|website=The Ames Tribune|language=en}}</ref> The company also has offices in Amsterdam and London, 12 U.S. cities, and two Canadian cities.<ref name=":1" />
Workiva’s product Wdata allows users to connect large datasets of information to the Workiva platform.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|last=Wildeman|first=Mary Katherine|title=Charleston outfit of software firm made tool to help companies wrangle big data|url=https://www.postandcourier.com/business/charleston-outfit-of-software-firm-made-tool-to-help-companies-wrangle-big-data/article_2601aa7a-b2e8-11e9-b323-ff572a8d16ce.html|access-date=2020-06-11|website=Post and Courier|date=5 August 2019 |language=en}}</ref> It was designed to improve the usefulness of Wdesk.<ref name=":0" /> Wdata connects data from enterprise resource planning, governance risk and compliance platforms, and other third-party, on-premise systems and cloud applications.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|date=2019-09-10|title=Workiva updates Wdata platform, partners with FloQast|url=https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/workiva-updates-wdata-platform-creates-partnership-with-floqast|access-date=2020-06-11|website=Accounting Today|language=en}}</ref>
In September, Workiva updated the Wdata platform to include automatic updates, approval workflows, finance and accounting connectors, risk and control integration, and improved controlled access tools.<ref name=":2" /> The company also integrated its platforms with BlackLine, a producer of financial close software.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|date=2019-09-04|title=Workiva and BlackLine create platform integration|url=https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/workiva-and-blackline-create-platform-integration|access-date=2020-06-30|website=Accounting Today|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web|last=Brett|first=Charles|date=2019-09-17|title=Workiva adds integrations with BlackLine and FloQast -|url=https://www.enterprisetimes.co.uk/2019/09/17/workiva-adds-integrations-with-blackline-and-floqast/|access-date=2020-06-30|website=Enterprise Times|language=en-GB}}</ref> The integration allows accountants to connect and transfer data between the two companies.<ref name=":3" /> Later in September, Workiva established a partnership with FloQast, a financial close management software company.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":4" /> The two offer a reporting and compliance solution for private companies, as well as for companies to use before and after they issue an initial public offering of stock.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":4" />
==== 2020 - 2025 ==== In April 2020, Workiva launched W for ESEF.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|date=2020-04-09|title=Workiva launches W for ESEF to help European companies simplify compliance|url=https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2020/04/09/workiva-w-for-esef/|access-date=2020-07-27|website=Help Net Security|language=en-US}}</ref> It is a solution to help European companies comply with the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) requirements for European Single Electronic Format (ESEF) reporting.<ref name=":6" /> W for ESEF was made available in 23 European languages.<ref name=":6" /> Companies can use the solution to build reports, tag data, and compile the final ESEF submission package.<ref name=":6" />
In November 2020, Workiva appointed COO Julie Iskow to the board. She was named one of the 50 most powerful women in tech in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Julie Iskow {{!}} 2019 Top 50 Most Powerful Women in Technology|url=https://top50tech.org/2019/2019/03/20/julie-iskow/|website=Top50tech.org|access-date=2020-12-08|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Workiva benoemt Julie Iskow in de Raad van Bestuur|url=https://www.techvisor.nl/Consent?url=https://www.techvisor.nl/Artikelen/2487/workiva-benoemt-julie-iskow-in-de-raad-van-bestuur|access-date=2020-12-08|website=Techvisor.nl}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Julie Iskow treedt toe tot Raad van Bestuur Workiva |url=https://executive-people.nl/662464/julie-iskow-treedt-toe-tot-raad-van-bestuur-workiva.html|access-date=2020-12-08|website=Executive-people.nl|language=nl}}</ref>
In May, the company updated its cloud platform to help companies with Environmental, Social and Corporate Governance (ESG) reporting.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brooks |first1=Steve |title=News from the week beginning 26th April |url=https://www.enterprisetimes.co.uk/2021/05/03/news-from-the-week-beginning-26th-april/ |website=Enterprise Times |access-date=9 September 2021 |date=3 May 2021}}</ref>
In July 2021, the company became the first SaaS company to enter the United Nations’ Global Compact CFO Taskforce.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Workiva's CFO on growth and ESG data|url=https://fortune.com/2021/08/09/workivas-cfo-on-growth-and-esg-data/|access-date=2021-11-19|website=Fortune|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-07-17|title=Workiva becomes the first SaaS company to enter the UN Global Compact CFO Taskforce|url=https://saasindustry.com/news/workiva-becomes-the-first-saas-company-to-enter-the-un-global-compact-cfo-taskforce/|access-date=2022-02-10|website=SaaS Industry|language=en-US}}</ref> A few months later, in August 2021, Workiva made its first acquisition when it acquired OneCloud, which provides integration platform as a service software.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-08-02|title=Workiva buys OneCloud in first acquisition|url=https://www.accountingtoday.com/news/workiva-buys-onecloud-its-first-acquisition|access-date=2021-11-19|website=Accounting Today|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-08-03|title=Workiva acquires OneCloud to expand data integrations for business reporting|url=https://venturebeat.com/2021/08/03/workiva-acquires-onecloud-to-expand-data-integrations-for-business-reporting/|access-date=2021-11-19|website=VentureBeat|language=en-US}}</ref>
In December 2021, Workiva acquired AuditNet, a global audit content and services provider.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-12-14|title=Workiva Buys AuditNet to Add Content|url=https://www.cfo.com/technology/2021/12/workiva-buys-auditnet-to-add-content/|access-date=2022-01-28|website=CFO|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-12-16|title=Workiva acquires AuditNet to empower internal auditors with more technology and resources|url=https://www.helpnetsecurity.com/2021/12/16/workiva-acquires-auditnet-to-empower-internal-auditors-with-more-technology-and-resources/|access-date=2022-01-28|website=Help Net Security|language=en-US}}</ref>
In February 2023, Workiva announced that President and Chief Operating Officer Julie Iskow would succeed Marty Vanderploeg as CEO, starting April 1.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2023-02-22 |title=Iskow appointed to succeed Vanderploeg as Workiva CEO |url=https://www.businessrecord.com/iskow-appointed-to-succeed-vanderploeg-as-workiva-ceo/ |access-date=2023-02-24 |website=Business Record |language=en-US}}</ref>
In June 2024, Workiva acquired Sustain.Life, a carbon accounting software startup, to enhance its sustainability reporting capabilities.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |date=2024-06-24 |title=Workiva Acquires Sustain.Life for $100M, Launches Carbon Accounting Software |url=https://sustainabletechpartner.com/topics/ma/workiva-acquires-sustain-life-for-100m-launches-carbon-accounting-software/ |access-date=2025-03-26 |website= Sustainable Tech Partner|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Gain |first=Vish |date=19 June 2024 |title=Irish co-founded Sustain.Life acquired by Workiva for $100m |url=https://www.siliconrepublic.com/start-ups/sustain-life-workiva-carbon-acquisition-climate-emissions-reporting-mike-hanrahan |access-date=15 January 2026 |website=Silicon Republic}}</ref>
In September 2025, the company launched an agentic AI platform, Workiva AI.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Segal |first=Mark |date=9 September 2025 |title=Workiva Launches New Agentic AI Platform for Sustainability, Finance, GRC Solutions |url=https://www.esgtoday.com/workiva-launches-new-agentic-ai-platform-for-sustainability-finance-grc-solutions/ |access-date=20 January 2026 |website=ESG Today}}</ref>
== Applications == Workiva's first SaaS product was SEC reporting software designed to enable corporations to automate their SEC filings by using a proprietary system of document tags and linking.<ref name="Gartner Magic Quadrant Study 2016" /> The platform also enabled companies to file electronically directly with the SEC, using the business mark-up language XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language), required by the SEC.<ref>{{cite news| author =Security and Exchange Commission| title = Final Rule: Interactive Data to Improve Financial Reporting | quote = Companies will provide their financial statements to the Commission and on their corporate Web sites in interactive data format using the eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL). | newspaper =Release Nos. 33-9002; 34-59324; 39-2461| date =January 30, 2009| url = https://www.sec.gov/rules/final/2009/33-9002.pdf}}</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite web|title=Workiva on Inline XBRL and breaking down walls between finance and sustainability |website=Xbrl.org|url=https://www.xbrl.org/news/workiva-on-inline-xbrl-and-breaking-down-walls-between-finance-and-sustainability/|access-date=2021-10-22|language=en-US}}</ref> A customer of Workiva's was the first company to file Inline XBRL with the SEC.<ref>{{cite news| title =Workiva product first to make Inline XBRL filing with SEC| newspaper =Business Record| date =July 6, 2016| url = http://businessrecord.com/Content/Tech-Innovation/Tech-Innovation/Article/-Workiva-product-first-to-make-Inline-XBRL-filing-with-SEC/172/834/73839 | access-date = October 30, 2016}}</ref>
The company has since expanded to include other corporate financial and compliance reporting functions, including:
* '''Sarbanes–Oxley reporting and Recovery and Resolution Plans (RRP)''' - WDesk integrates documentation required for financial statements, risk assessment and forecasts required by the Sarbanes–Oxley Act into a single view.<ref name="Compliance Week, April 3, 2015">{{cite web|last1=Compliance Week Blogs|title=Workiva Adds New Feature to Wdesk for Sarbanes-Oxley Compliance|url=https://www.complianceweek.com/blogs/grc-announcements/workiva-adds-new-feature-to-wdesk-for-sarbanes-oxley-compliance#.WBYBtTKZPYJ|website=Compliance Week|publisher=Wilmington Compliance Week plc|access-date=30 October 2016|date=April 3, 2015}}</ref> * '''SEC and ESEF Filing''' - including EDGAR HTML conversion and XBRL mapping, creating and filing documentation for IPOs, S-1s, 10Ks, 10-Qs, 20-Fs for SEC, as well as the reports needed to meet Investor Relations, mutual fund and European Single Electronic Format reporting in line with the European Securities and Markets Authority ESMA. * '''CAFR and State and Local Reporting''' - used by municipal securities issuers or agents for preparing documentation for Continuing Disclosures to the Municipal Securities Rulemaking Board and documentation required of state and local education departments to meet mandated guidelines. * '''ESG, Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)''' - WDesk supports most global reporting frameworks that track CSR including [https://www.ft.com/content/64ddad64-a626-11e2-9b77-00144feabdc0 Global Responsibility Index], the Carbon Disclosure Project and the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices.<ref name=":7" /> * '''Internal Reporting''' - these tasks include compiling management reports, risk assessments, board reports, among others.<ref name="Gartner Magic Quadrant Study 2016" /> Workiva's reporting software was created for executives that want to integrate data from different systems, and desire software that updates automatically.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Shumsky|first=Tatyana|date=2017-11-29|title=Stop Using Excel, Finance Chiefs Tell Staffs|language=en-US|work=Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/stop-using-excel-finance-chiefs-tell-staffs-1511346601|access-date=2021-10-05|issn=0099-9660}}</ref>
European companies use Wdesk to comply with European Securities and Markets Authority’s reporting mandates.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|title=Workiva opens German, French offices|url=https://www.amestrib.com/news/20190501/workiva-opens-german-french-offices|access-date=2020-06-05|website=The Ames Tribune|language=en}}</ref>
Global Legal Entity Identifier (GLEIF) deployed the Workiva platform to create their annual report which was then showcased by ESMA as a paragon for European Single Electronic Format (ESEF)-compliance reporting.<ref>{{Cite web|title=GLEIF Deploys Workiva Platform, Expands into North America – A Team|url=https://a-teaminsight.com/gleif-deploys-workiva-platform-expands-into-north-america/?brand=ati|website=A-teaminsight.com| date=July 2020 |access-date=2020-07-13|language=en-US}}</ref>
In September 2021, Workiva formed a partnership with Wilson Sonsini (WSGR), a premier legal firm, to automate the generation of the SEC Form S-1. The new application is known as the WS-1 and helps reduce the time needed to prepare IPO statements.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Jain|first=Diksha|title=Wilson Sonsini Collaborates With Workiva To Automate Form S-1 {{!}} JDJournal|url=https://www.jdjournal.com/2021/09/20/wilson-sonsini-collaborates-with-workiva-to-automate-form-s-1/|access-date=2022-01-21|website=Jdjournal.com|date=20 September 2021 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=artificiallawyer|date=2021-09-20|title=Wilson Sonsini Automates SEC-S1 IPO Registration Form|url=https://www.artificiallawyer.com/2021/09/20/wilson-sonsini-automates-sec-s1-ipo-registration-form/|access-date=2022-01-21|website=Artificiallawyer.com|language=en-GB}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
{{Cloud computing}} {{Authority control}}
Category:Companies based in Ames, Iowa Category:Software companies based in Iowa Category:Enterprise software Category:Companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange Category:Business software companies Category:American companies established in 2008 Category:Software companies established in 2008 Category:Software companies of the United States Category:Cloud computing providers Category:2014 initial public offerings Category:Cloud applications Category:Software as a Service (SaaS) companies