One advantage of a corporation over an individually owned business is that the corporation has

The chief advantage that most publicly traded corporations enjoy - and the primary reason why private companies decide to go public - is greater access to financing through capital markets. Public corporations can also protect their owners and managers from many legal liabilities, although some privately owned companies can accomplish this as well. Corporations with stock on listed exchanges can also offer stock options to employees, improve their brand equity and receive a form of complimentary advertising.