ACTUATE SOFTWARE CORP
424B4, 1998-07-20
PREPACKAGED SOFTWARE
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<PAGE>
                                                     PURSUANT TO RULE 424(b)(4)
                               3,000,000 SHARES      REGISTRATION NO. 333-55741 
                                                      
                               [LOGO OF ACTUATE]

                                 COMMON STOCK
                         (PAR VALUE $0.001 PER SHARE)
 
                               ----------------
 
  Of the 3,000,000 shares of Common Stock offered hereby 2,890,000 shares are
being sold by Actuate Software Corporation (the "Company") and 110,000 shares
are being sold by the Selling Stockholders. See "Principal and Selling
Stockholders". The Company will not receive any proceeds from the sale of
shares by the Selling Stockholders.
 
  Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the Common Stock
of the Company. For factors considered in determining the initial public
offering price, see "Underwriting".
 
  SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 6 FOR CERTAIN CONSIDERATIONS RELEVANT
TO AN INVESTMENT IN THE COMMON STOCK.
 
  The Common Stock of the Company has been approved for quotation on the
Nasdaq National Market under the symbol "ACTU".
 
                               ----------------
 
THESE  SECURITIES HAVE  NOT BEEN  APPROVED  OR DISAPPROVED  BY THE  SECURITIES
 AND  EXCHANGE  COMMISSION  OR  ANY   STATE  SECURITIES  COMMISSION  NOR  HAS
  THE  SECURITIES   AND  EXCHANGE   COMMISSION   OR  ANY   STATE  SECURITIES
  COMMISSION  PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY  OR ADEQUACY OF THIS  PROSPECTUS. ANY
   REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
                               ----------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                    INITIAL PUBLIC UNDERWRITING PROCEEDS TO PROCEEDS TO SELLING
                    OFFERING PRICE DISCOUNT (1) COMPANY (2)    STOCKHOLDERS
                    -------------- ------------ ----------- -------------------
<S>                 <C>            <C>          <C>         <C>
Per Share..........     $11.00        $0.77       $10.23          $10.23
Total (3)..........  $33,000,000    $2,310,000  $29,564,700     $1,125,300
</TABLE>
- --------
 
(1) The Company and the Selling Stockholders have agreed to indemnify the
    Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
    Securities Act of 1933, as amended. See "Underwriting".
(2) Before deducting estimated expenses of $725,000 payable by the Company.
(3) The Company and the Selling Stockholders have granted the Underwriters an
    option for 30 days to purchase up to an additional 450,000 shares at the
    initial public offering price per share, less the underwriting discount,
    solely to cover over-allotments, if any. If such option is exercised in
    full, the total initial public offering price, underwriting discount,
    proceeds to Company and proceeds to Selling Stockholders will be
    $37,950,000, $2,656,500, $32,122,200 and $3,171,300, respectively. See
    "Principal and Selling Stockholders" and "Underwriting".
 
                               ----------------
 
  The shares offered hereby are offered severally by the Underwriters as
stated herein, subject to receipt and acceptance by them and subject to their
right to reject any order in whole or in part. It is expected that the shares
will be ready for delivery through the facilities of DTC in New York, New
York, on or about July 22, 1998, against payment therefor in immediately
available funds.
 
GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.                                 CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON
 
                               ----------------
 
                 The date of this Prospectus is July 17, 1998.
<PAGE>
 
ACTUATE REPORTING SYSTEM GRAPHIC
 
  Description: Graphic illustration of boxes representing each of Actuate's
potential end users connected by a cloud representing the Internet to a
graphic illustration of boxes representing various applications and data
sources including: Human Resources, Legacy Systems, Data Warehouse, Multi-
Dimensional Data, E-Commerce, Sales & Marketing, Enterprise Resource Planning,
Internal Applications and Customer Information Systems.
 
  Header: Meeting the Information Needs of the Enterprise.
 
  Caption: Enterprise Reporting: Enterprise reporting solutions enable
organizations to efficiently extract, publish and disseminate corporate data
throughout the enterprise in both client/server and Internet environments.
 
  CERTAIN PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN THIS OFFERING MAY ENGAGE IN TRANSACTIONS
THAT STABILIZE, MAINTAIN OR OTHERWISE AFFECT THE PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK,
INCLUDING OVER-ALLOTMENT, STABILIZING AND SHORT-COVERING TRANSACTIONS IN SUCH
SECURITIES, AND THE IMPOSITION OF A PENALTY BID, IN CONNECTION WITH THE
OFFERING. FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THESE ACTIVITIES, SEE "UNDERWRITING".
<PAGE>
 
ENTERPRISE REPORTING GRAPHIC
 
  Description: Graphic illustration consisting of boxes representing the
Company's products connected in the center of the graphic by a cloud
representing the Internet. Computer screenshots of Actuate Reporting System
reports utilized by the following companies appear to the right of the
graphic: Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Connecticut, Netscape,
PeopleSoft, Siebel and Vantive. Logos of the following companies appear at the
bottom on the graphic: Ariba, Ascend, Brio, Cambridge Technology Partners,
Clarify, PointCast, Portal, Prism Solutions, and Progress Software.
 
  Header: A Leader in Enterprise Reporting
 
Left Graphic Captions
 
  Caption: Actuate Architecture. The Actuate Reporting System is a server-
centric suite of products for developing, administering, viewing and
distributing reports via the Internet to users across an enterprise.
 
  Caption: Actuate's ReportCast Channels focus the delivery of corporate
content to an organization's employees, customers and partners. Users are
notified when reports become available and can click on the headline to view
the report in its entirety.
 
  Caption: Actuate Reporting System can generate HTML reports that resemble
standard Internet pages. These HTML reports can include graphs, GIF images,
standard URL links, and Java applets.
 
  Caption: Actuate's Report Encyclopedia organizes reports and components into
hierarchial folders for simplified access.
 
Right Graphic Caption
 
  Caption: Selected Customers. Actuate's customers span a wide variety of
industries and include some of the largest financial services,
telecommunications and health care companies. Actuate's partners include
vendors of some of the most widely deployed Enterprise Resource Planning,
Customer Asset Management, Sales Force Automation and Internet applications.
 
Screenshot Captions
 
Anthem
  Caption: Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Connecticut utilizes the
Actuate Reporting System to provide its insurance analysts with summary and
detailed reports, which can be further customized by the analyst.
 
Netscape
  Caption: Netscape's ECXpert, an Internet commerce solution, has been
combined with the Actuate Reporting System to enable the secure and efficient
distribution of transactional summaries and business data to Internet-based
customers all over the world.
 
PeopleSoft
  Caption: PeopleSoft has embedded the Actuate Reporting System into its
applications in order to provide its customers with rapid response report
viewing and the ability to efficiently and securely distribute reports via the
Internet.
 
Siebel
  Caption: Siebel 98 has been seamlessly integrated with the Actuate Reporting
System to provide Siebel customers with an interactive, easy-to-use and highly
scalable enterprise reporting solution that offers end users immediate access
to sales, marketing and customer information.
 
Vantive
  Caption: Vantive embeds the Actuate Reporting System to provide companies
with a unified, strategic view of their customers, by compiling information
from front-office applications - sales, marketing, call center and field
service - into a single report that can be easily distributed via the
Internet.
<PAGE>
 
 
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
  The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed
information, including "Risk Factors" and the Financial Statements and Notes
thereto, appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus. This Prospectus contains
forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The Company's
actual results may differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-
looking statements. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are
not limited to, those discussed in "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in this
Prospectus.
 
  Unless otherwise indicated, the information in this Prospectus (i) assumes no
exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment option and (ii) reflects, except
in the Financial Statements, the conversion of all outstanding shares of
Preferred Stock into Common Stock upon completion of this offering.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
  Actuate Software Corporation is a leading provider of enterprise reporting
solutions that enable organizations to systematically extract, publish and
disseminate information across distributed computing environments. The Company
develops and markets software products that are designed to allow companies to
rapidly design, generate and distribute reports throughout the enterprise,
thereby increasing access to and the value of corporate data. Actuate's
products have been adopted in a wide variety of industries, including financial
services, telecommunications, technology, health care and others. Actuate's
customers include companies such as Chase Manhattan, Concert Communications,
Manpower, Merck and Toyota Motor Sales, USA. The Company has also established
strategic relationships with a number of enterprise application vendors,
including PeopleSoft, Siebel and Vantive, all of which embed the Company's
products as part of or as their entire standard reporting solution. Each of
such customers and enterprise application vendors have purchased more than
$100,000 in license and services fees from the Company since January 1996.
 
  To succeed in today's increasingly competitive market, businesses must
accelerate the rate at which they identify and respond to changing business
conditions. An organization's success is, to a large extent, dependent upon its
ability to rapidly collect, organize and distribute information to make
effective business decisions. Reports are the primary means in virtually all
organizations by which critical business information is distributed and used by
employees, customers and suppliers. Other products such as On-line Analytical
Processing ("OLAP") and query tools generally serve as supplements to core
reporting systems and are only utilized by a small number of users for very
distinct and specialized data analysis. Historically, most reports have been
paper-based, designed using legacy computer languages such as COBOL and
delivered to users through physical means such as handcarts, inter-office mail
and the postal service.
 
  Over the past decade, there has been a dramatic migration of critical
corporate information from mainframe computer systems to distributed computing
environments. This transition has been driven largely by the widespread
emergence and adoption of enterprise software applications, data warehouses,
corporate intranets and the Internet. Due to this fundamental shift in the way
corporations store and manage data, IT departments are now faced with the
challenge of providing users with secure access to business information
residing in a broad range of distributed systems. The Company believes
traditional reporting methods have not kept pace with the technological
advancements in application software and relational databases. As a result, it
has been extremely difficult for businesses to report information from these
systems efficiently, uniformly and securely across a single platform to users
within and outside of the organization.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>
 
  Due to the shortcomings of traditional reporting methods, the Company
believes organizations will increasingly adopt enterprise reporting solutions
which allow for the dissemination of information across distributed computing
environments. IDC estimates the market for such enterprise reporting solutions
will grow to over $900 million by the year 2002.
 
  The Actuate Reporting System is a scalable, dynamic reporting platform which
is designed to allow organizations to replace traditional paper-based and on-
line reports with Live Report Documents. Live Report Documents feature rich
interactive capabilities, including hyperlinks, context-sensitive help, a
dynamic table of contents, and a report query feature. Architected specifically
to leverage the functionality of the Internet, the Actuate Reporting System is
designed to make reports accessible to an organization's employees, customers
and suppliers via corporate intranets and the Internet. Actuate's ReportCast
technology can be integrated with Internet or intranet web sites, making it
easier for organizations to notify users when corporate information is
available. The Actuate Reporting System also facilitates off-line analysis of
reports.
 
  The Actuate Reporting System's server-centric architecture provides the
building blocks for an enterprise reporting environment of any size. Actuate's
open environment allows developers to create reports from virtually any data
source and in virtually any format required by end-users. The Actuate Report
Encyclopedia acts as a repository for reports and report components. Actuate's
Virtual Report Distribution technology reduces network traffic by minimizing
the movement of large reports and data sets. The Actuate Developer Workbench is
designed to give developers a complete visual environment for designing,
compiling, viewing and debugging sophisticated report designs. The Company
began shipping its Actuate Reporting System in January 1996, and the Company's
most recent version of the Actuate Reporting System, Version 3.1, began
shipping in May 1998.
 
  The Company's strategy is to be the leading provider of enterprise reporting
solutions. Key elements of Actuate's strategy include (i) expanding its market
leadership position by establishing strategic relationships with the leading
enterprise application vendors, consulting firms and systems integrators, (ii)
extending its technology leadership through internal research and development
and integration of acquired technologies, (iii) broadening its domestic and
international distribution channels, and (iv) increasing its international
presence through expanded distribution and product localization.
 
  The address of the Company's principal executive offices is 999 Baker Way,
Suite 270, San Mateo, California 94404 and its telephone number is (650) 425-
2300. Unless otherwise indicated, all references in this Prospectus to the
"Company" or "Actuate" refer to Actuate Software Corporation, a Delaware
corporation, and its California predecessor. Actuate, the Company's logo, and
Report Encyclopedia are registered trademarks of the Company, ReportCast, Live
Report Document, Live Report Extension and Virtual Report Distribution are
trademarks of the Company. All other trademarks, service marks or trade names
referred to in this Prospectus are the property of their respective owners.
 
                                       4
<PAGE>
 
                                  THE OFFERING
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                         <C>
Common Stock offered by the Company........  2,890,000 shares
Common Stock offered by Selling                
 Stockholders..............................    110,000 shares
Common Stock to be outstanding after the    
 offering.................................. 13,443,000 shares(1)
Use of Proceeds............................ For general corporate purposes, including
                                            working capital and capital expenditures.
                                            See "Use of Proceeds".
Nasdaq National Market Symbol.............. "ACTU"
</TABLE>
 
                             SUMMARY FINANCIAL DATA
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 SIX MONTHS
                                          YEARS ENDED               ENDED
                                         DECEMBER 31,             JUNE 30,
                                    -------------------------  ----------------
                                     1995     1996     1997     1997     1998
                                    -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:                                    (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                 <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
Revenues:
 License fees.....................  $   --   $   343  $ 7,542  $ 2,829  $ 7,009
 Services.........................       22      308    1,976      616    1,754
                                    -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
   Total revenues.................       22      651    9,518    3,445    8,763
                                    -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
Cost of revenues:
 License fees.....................      --       171      647      207      531
 Services.........................       53      305    1,263      381    1,529
                                    -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
   Total cost of revenues.........       53      476    1,910      588    2,060
                                    -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
Gross profit (loss)...............      (31)     175    7,608    2,857    6,703
Operating expenses:
 Sales and marketing..............      847    2,965    7,366    2,914    5,467
 Research and development.........    1,883    2,731    6,213    2,504    3,574
 General and administrative.......      240      603    1,317      413    1,200
                                    -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
   Total operating expenses.......    2,970    6,299   14,896    5,831   10,241
                                    -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
Loss from operations..............   (3,001)  (6,124)  (7,288)  (2,974)  (3,538)
Equity in losses of affiliate.....      --       (25)     (36)     (16)     --
Interest and other income, net....      166       90       82       30       36
                                    -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
Net loss..........................  $(2,835) $(6,059) $(7,242) $(2,960) $(3,502)
                                    =======  =======  =======  =======  =======
Pro forma basic and diluted net
 loss per share(1)................                    $ (0.78)          $ (0.36)
                                                      =======           =======
Shares used in computing pro forma
 basic and diluted net loss per
 share(1).........................                      9,290             9,848
                                                      =======           =======
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              JUNE 30, 1998
                                                          ----------------------
                                                          ACTUAL  AS ADJUSTED(2)
                                                          ------  --------------
                                                               (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                                       <C>     <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
  Cash and cash equivalents.............................. $1,003     $29,843
  Working capital (deficit).............................. (6,798)     22,042
  Total assets...........................................  6,568      35,408
  Long-term obligations..................................     65          65
  Stockholders' equity (deficit)......................... (5,457)     23,383
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Based on the number of shares outstanding as of June 30, 1998. Excludes (i)
    1,046,300 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise of outstanding
    stock options under the Company's 1994 Stock Option Plan as of June 30,
    1998 at a weighted average exercise price of approximately $3.41 per share,
    (ii) 1,300,000 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the
    Company's 1998 Equity Incentive Plan, (iii) 250,000 shares of Common Stock
    reserved for issuance under the Company's 1998 Employee Stock Purchase Plan
    and (iv) 200,000 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the
    Company's 1998 Non-Employee Directors Option Plan. See "Management--Stock
    Plans" and Notes 8 and 10 of Notes to Financial Statements.
(2) Adjusted to reflect the sale of shares of Common Stock by the Company at
    the initial public offering price of $11.00 per share and the application
    of the estimated net proceeds therefrom. See "Use of Proceeds" and
    "Capitalization".
 
                                       5
<PAGE>
 
                                 RISK FACTORS
 
  In addition to the other information in this Prospectus, the following risk
factors should be considered carefully in evaluating the Company and its
business before purchasing shares of the Common Stock offered hereby. This
Prospectus contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties. The Company's actual results may differ materially from the
results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause
such a difference include, but are not limited to, those discussed in this
section and elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
LIMITED OPERATING HISTORY; LACK OF PROFITABILITY
 
  The Company incurred net losses of $6.1 million and $7.2 million in fiscal
1996 and 1997, respectively, and $3.5 million for the six months ended June
30, 1998. As of June 30, 1998, the Company had an accumulated deficit of
approximately $20.5 million and a working capital deficit of approximately
$6.8 million. Given the Company's history of net losses, there can be no
assurance of revenue growth or profitability on a quarterly or annual basis in
the future. While the Company achieved significant quarter-to-quarter revenue
growth in fiscal 1997 and in the six months ended June 30, 1998, there can be
no assurance that the Company's revenues will increase in future periods. In
addition, the Company intends to increase its operating expenses significantly
in future periods; therefore, the Company's operating results in the future
will be adversely affected if revenues do not increase. Future operating
results will depend on many factors, including, among others, demand for and
acceptance of the Company's products and services, including ongoing
acceptance of maintenance and other services purchased by existing customers,
continued successful relationships and the establishment of new relationships
with enterprise application vendors, the level of product and price
competition from existing and new competitors, the ability of the Company to
control costs and to develop, market and deploy new products, the ability of
the Company to expand its direct sales force and indirect distribution
channels both domestically and internationally, the Company's success in
attracting and retaining key personnel, the growth of the market for
enterprise reporting and the ability of the Company to successfully integrate
technologies and businesses it may acquire in the future. The Company was
founded in November 1993 and began shipping its Actuate Reporting System in
January 1996. Accordingly, the Company has a limited operating history on
which to base an evaluation of its business and prospects. The Company's
prospects must be considered in light of the risks, expenses and difficulties
frequently encountered by companies in their early stage of development,
particularly companies in rapidly evolving markets. There can be no assurance
that the Company will be successful in addressing such risks, and the failure
to do so would have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
operating results and financial condition. See "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations".
 
FLUCTUATIONS IN QUARTERLY OPERATING RESULTS
 
  The Company's limited operating history and the susceptibility of the
Company's operating results to significant fluctuations makes any prediction
of future operating results unreliable. In addition, the Company believes that
period-to-period comparisons of its operating results are not necessarily
meaningful and should not be relied upon as indications of future performance.
The Company's operating results have in the past, and may in the future, vary
significantly due to factors such as demand for the Company's products, the
size and timing of significant orders and their fulfillment, sales cycles of
the Company's indirect channel partners, product life cycles, changes in
pricing policies by the Company or its competitors, changes in the Company's
level of operating expenses and its ability to control costs, budgeting cycles
of its customers, software defects and other product quality problems, hiring
needs and personnel changes, the pace of international expansion, changes in
the Company's sales incentive plans, continued successful relationships and
the establishment of new relationships with enterprise application vendors,
the impact of consolidation by competitors and indirect channel partners, and
general domestic and international economic and political conditions. In
 
                                       6
<PAGE>
 
addition, the Company may, in the future, experience fluctuations in its gross
and operating margins due to changes in the mix of domestic and international
revenues and changes in the mix of direct sales and indirect sales, as well as
changes in the mix among the indirect channels through which the Company's
products are offered.
 
  A significant portion of the Company's total revenues in any given quarter
are derived from existing customers. The Company's future profitability is
substantially dependent upon the Company's ability to increase revenues from
license fees and services from existing customers, to increase the quotas of
its sales employees, to have such employees achieve or exceed such quotas and
to increase the average size of its orders. To the extent that such increases
do not occur in a timely manner, the Company's business, operating results and
financial condition would be materially adversely affected. Because its
software products are typically shipped shortly after orders are received,
revenues in any quarter are substantially dependent on orders booked and
shipped throughout that quarter. Accordingly, revenues for any future quarter
are difficult to predict. Revenues from license fees are also difficult to
forecast because the market for enterprise reporting is rapidly evolving, and
because the sales cycle for the Company's products varies substantially from
customer to customer and by distribution channel and may increase in the
future. The Company's expense levels and plans for expansion, including its
plans to significantly increase its sales and marketing and research and
development efforts, are based in significant part on the Company's
expectations of future revenues and are relatively fixed in the short-term.
The Company may be unable to adjust spending in a timely manner to compensate
for any unexpected revenue shortfall. Consequently, if total revenue levels
are below expectations, the Company's business, operating results and
financial condition are likely to be adversely and disproportionately
affected.
 
  Based upon all of the factors described above, the Company has limited
ability to forecast future revenues and expenses, and it is likely that in
some future quarter the Company's operating results will be below the
expectations of public market analysts and investors. In the event that
operating results are below expectations, or in the event that adverse
conditions prevail or are perceived to prevail generally or with respect to
the Company's business, the price of the Company's Common Stock would be
materially adversely affected. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations".
 
EXPANDING DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS AND RELIANCE ON THIRD PARTIES
 
  To date, the Company has sold its products principally through its direct
sales force, as well as through indirect sales channels, such as enterprise
application vendors, resellers and distributors. Of the Company's revenues
from license fees in 1997 and the six months ended June 30, 1998,
approximately 38% and 40%, respectively, resulted from sales through indirect
channel partners. The Company's ability to achieve significant revenue growth
in the future will depend in large part on its success in expanding its direct
sales force and in further establishing and maintaining relationships with
enterprise application vendors, resellers and distributors. In particular, a
significant element of the Company's strategy is to embed its technology in
products offered by enterprise application vendors for resale to such vendors'
customers and end users. The Company intends to seek additional distribution
arrangements with other enterprise application vendors to embed the Company's
technology in their products and expects that these arrangements will continue
to account for a significant portion of the Company's revenues in future
periods. The Company's future success will depend on the ability of its
indirect channel partners to sell and support the Company's products. To the
extent that the sales and implementation cycles of the Company's indirect
channel partners are lengthy or variable in nature, that the Company's
enterprise application vendors experience difficulties embedding the Company's
technology into their products or that the Company fails to train the sales
and customer support personnel of such indirect channel partners in a timely
fashion, the Company's business, operating results and financial condition
could be materially adversely affected.
 
 
                                       7
<PAGE>
 
  Although the Company is currently investing, and plans to continue to
invest, significant resources to expand its direct sales force and to develop
relationships with enterprise application vendors, resellers and distributors,
the Company has at times experienced and continues to experience difficulty in
recruiting qualified sales personnel and in establishing necessary third-party
relationships. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to
successfully expand its direct sales force or other distribution channels,
secure license agreements with additional enterprise application vendors on
commercially reasonable terms or at all, or otherwise further develop its
relationships with enterprise application vendors, resellers and distributors
or that any such expansion or additional license agreements would result in an
increase in revenues. Any inability by the Company to maintain existing or
establish new relationships with indirect channel partners or, if such efforts
are successful, a failure of the Company's revenues to increase
correspondingly with expenses incurred in pursuing such relationships, would
materially and adversely affect the Company's business, operating results and
financial condition. See "Business--Sales, Marketing and Services".
 
DEPENDENCE ON GROWTH OF MARKET FOR ENTERPRISE REPORTING; RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH
THE SOFTWARE INDUSTRY
 
  The market for enterprise reporting software products is still emerging and
there can be no assurance that it will continue to grow or that, even if the
market does grow, businesses will adopt the Company's products. To date, all
of the Company's revenues have been derived from licenses for its enterprise
reporting software and related products and services, and the Company expects
this to continue for the foreseeable future. The Company has spent, and
intends to continue spending, considerable resources educating potential
customers and indirect channel partners about enterprise reporting and the
Company's products. However, there can be no assurance that such expenditures
will enable the Company's products to achieve any significant degree of market
acceptance, and if the market for enterprise reporting products fails to grow
or grows more slowly than the Company currently anticipates, the Company's
business, operating results and financial condition would be materially
adversely affected.
 
  In addition, the software industry has historically experienced significant
periodic downturns, often in connection with, or in anticipation of, declines
in general economic conditions during which management information systems
budgets often decrease. Such a change in economic conditions could result in a
slow down of the purchase of enterprise reporting products. As a result, the
Company's business, operating results and financial condition may in the
future reflect substantial fluctuations from period to period as a consequence
of buying patterns and general economic conditions in the software industry.
 
COMPETITION
 
  The market in which the Company competes is intensely competitive and
characterized by rapidly changing technology and evolving standards.
Competition for the Company's products comes in four principal forms: (i)
direct competition from current or future vendors of reporting solutions such
as Seagate Software, Inc. (a division of Seagate Technology, Inc.) and SQRIBE
Technologies, Inc.; (ii) indirect competition from vendors of OLAP and query
tools such as Arbor Software Corp., Business Objects S.A., Cognos, Inc. and
Microsoft Corp. ("Microsoft") that integrate reporting functionality with such
tools; (iii) indirect competition from enterprise application vendors such as
SAP Atkiengesellschaft ("SAP") and Oracle Corp. ("Oracle"), to the extent they
include reporting functionality in their applications, and (iv) competition
from the information systems departments of current or potential customers
that may develop reporting solutions internally which may be cheaper and more
customized than the Company's products. Many of the Company's current and
potential competitors have significantly greater financial, technical,
marketing and other resources than the Company. Such competitors may be able
to respond more quickly to new or emerging technologies and changes in
customer requirements or devote greater resources to the development,
promotion and sales of their
 
                                       8
<PAGE>
 
products than the Company. Also, most current and potential competitors,
including companies such as Oracle and Microsoft, have greater name
recognition and the ability to leverage significant installed customer bases.
These companies could integrate competing enterprise reporting software with
their products, resulting in a loss of market share for the Company. The
Company expects additional competition as other established and emerging
companies enter the enterprise reporting software market and new products and
technologies are introduced. Increased competition could result in price
reductions, fewer customer orders, reduced gross margins, longer sales cycles
and loss of market share, any of which would materially adversely affect the
Company's business, operating results and financial condition.
 
  Current and potential competitors may make strategic acquisitions or
establish cooperative relationships among themselves or with third parties,
thereby increasing their ability to address the enterprise reporting needs of
the Company's prospective customers. The Company's current or future
enterprise application vendors and other indirect channel partners have in the
past, or may in the future, establish cooperative relationships with current
or potential competitors of the Company, thereby limiting the Company's
ability to sell its products through particular distribution channels.
Accordingly, it is possible that new competitors or alliances among current
and new competitors may emerge and rapidly gain significant market share. Such
competition could materially adversely affect the Company's ability to obtain
revenues from license fees from new or existing customers, and service
revenues from existing customers on terms favorable to the Company. Further,
competitive pressures may require the Company to reduce the price of its
software. In either case, the Company's business, financial condition, and
operating results would be materially adversely affected. There can be no
assurance that the Company will be able to compete successfully against
current and future competitors, and the failure to do so would have a material
adverse effect upon the Company's business, operating results and financial
condition.
 
RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH POTENTIAL ACQUISITIONS OF CERTAIN INTERNATIONAL
DISTRIBUTORS
 
  The Company is a party to agreements with its Japanese distributor and the
parent company of its French, German and United Kingdom distributors (the
"International Distributors"), under which the Company is likely to (and under
certain circumstances, would bear substantial financial penalties if it did
not) acquire such International Distributors at some point in the future. Such
an acquisition could be triggered by the parent company of the European
distributors at its discretion beginning six months after the effective date
of this offering, and by the Japanese distributor at its discretion nine
months after the effective date of this offering. In connection with any such
acquisition, the Company would be required to pay a purchase price (equal to
at least such distributor's last twelve months' revenues as of the date of
such acquisition) in registered shares of the Company's Common Stock or in
cash, which may have the effect of diluting existing stockholders, adversely
affecting the price of the Company's Common Stock or reducing the available
cash for working capital and other purposes. At present, the Company is unable
to predict the accounting treatment of any such acquisitions, in part because
it is unclear what accounting regulations, conventions or interpretations may
prevail in the future. If any such acquisition is accounted for by the Company
as a "purchase" transaction (as opposed to a pooling of interests), it could
cause the Company to recognize substantial goodwill and other intangible asset
amortization charges in the quarters and fiscal years immediately following
the date on which such an acquisition is effected, depending upon the purchase
price paid by the Company for such acquisition. As a result, if the
acquisition is accounted for as a "purchase" transaction, it could have a
material adverse effect on reported earnings per share during these periods in
which the Company records the amortization of intangible assets acquired.
Finally, any such acquisition would require substantial management attention,
impose costs on the Company associated with integrating the acquired entities,
require the Company to coordinate sales and marketing efforts with the
acquired companies and subject the Company to additional, and potentially
substantial, regulation as an owner
 
                                       9
<PAGE>
 
of foreign subsidiaries, any of which could have a material adverse effect on
the business, operating results and financial condition of the Company. See
"Certain Transactions".
 
RAPID TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE AND DEPENDENCE ON PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
 
  The market for the Company's products is characterized by rapid
technological change, frequent new product introductions and enhancements,
uncertain product life cycles, changing customer demands and evolving industry
standards, any of which can render existing products obsolete and
unmarketable. The Company believes that its future success will depend in
large part on its ability to support current and future releases of popular
operating systems, databases and enterprise software applications, to maintain
and improve its current product line, to timely develop new products that
achieve market acceptance, to maintain technological competitiveness and to
meet an expanding range of customer requirements. There can be no assurance
that the announcement or introduction of new products by the Company or its
competitors or any change in industry standards will not cause customers to
defer or cancel purchases of existing products, which could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results and financial
condition. As a result of the complexities inherent in enterprise reporting,
major new products and product enhancements can require long development and
testing periods. In addition, customers may delay their purchasing decisions
in anticipation of the general availability of new or enhanced versions of the
Company's products. As a result, significant delays in the general
availability of such new releases or significant problems in the installation
or implementation of such new releases could have a material adverse effect on
the Company's business, operating results and financial condition. Any failure
by the Company to successfully develop, on a timely and cost effective basis,
product enhancements or new products that respond to technological change,
evolving industry standards or customer requirements or of such new products
and product enhancements to achieve market acceptance would have a material
adverse effect upon the Company's business, operating results and financial
condition. See "Business--Research and Development".
 
LENGTHY AND VARIABLE SALES CYCLES
 
  The purchase of the Company's products by its end user customers for
deployment within a customer's organization typically involves a significant
commitment of capital and other resources, and is therefore subject to delays
that are beyond the Company's control, such as the customers' internal
procedures to approve large capital expenditures, budgetary constraints and
the testing and acceptance of new technologies that affect key operations.
While the sales cycle for an initial order of the Company's products is
typically 3 to 6 months and the sales cycle associated with a follow-on large
scale deployment of the Company's products typically extends for another 6 to
9 months or longer, there can be no assurance that the Company will not
experience longer sales cycles in the future. Additionally, sales cycles for
sales of the Company's software products to enterprise application vendors
tend to be longer, ranging from 6 to 24 months or more (not including the
sales and implementation cycles of such vendors' own products, which are
typically significantly longer than the Company's sales and implementation
cycles) and involve convincing the vendor's entire organization that the
Company's products are the appropriate reporting solution for the application.
Certain of the Company's customers have in the past, or may in the future,
experience difficulty completing the initial implementation of the Company's
products. Any difficulties or delays in the initial implementation at the
Company's customer sites or those of its indirect channel partners, could
cause such customers to reject the Company's software or lead to the delay or
non-receipt of future orders for the large-scale deployment of the Company's
products, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's
business, operating results and financial condition. See "--Fluctuations in
Quarterly Operating Results", "--Expanding Distribution Channels and Reliance
on Third Parties" and "Business--Sales, Marketing and Services".
 
 
                                      10
<PAGE>
 
MANAGEMENT OF GROWTH; DEPENDENCE ON AND NEED FOR ADDITIONAL QUALIFIED
PERSONNEL
 
  The Company has recently experienced a significant expansion in the number
of its employees, the scope of its operating and financial systems and the
geographic area of its operations. From January 1997 through June 1998, the
Company increased its headcount from 38 to 122 full-time employees.
Furthermore, significant increases in the number of employees are anticipated
in 1998 and future periods. In particular, the Company currently plans to
expand the number of employees in sales and marketing, customer support and
research and development. This growth has resulted, and will continue to
result, in new and increased responsibilities for management personnel and may
place a strain upon the Company's management, operating and financial systems
and resources. The Company expects that an expansion of its international
operations will lead to increased financial and administrative demands
associated with managing an increasing number of relationships with foreign
partners and customers and expanded treasury functions to manage foreign
currency risks. The Company's future operating results will also depend on its
ability to further develop indirect channels and expand its support
organization to accommodate growth in the Company's installed base. The
failure of the Company to manage its expansion effectively could have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results and
financial condition. See "--Failure to Expand and Risks Associated with
International Sales and Operations", "Business--Employees" and "Management".
 
  The Company's success depends to a significant degree upon the efforts of
certain key management, marketing, customer support and research and
development personnel. The Company believes that its future success will
depend in large part upon its continuing ability to attract and retain highly
skilled managerial, sales, marketing, customer support and research and
development personnel. Like other software companies, the Company faces
intense competition for such personnel, and the Company has experienced and
will continue to experience difficulty in recruiting qualified personnel,
particularly in the San Francisco Bay Area, where the employment market for
qualified sales, marketing and engineering personnel is extremely competitive.
There can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in attracting,
assimilating or retaining qualified personnel in the future. The loss of the
services of one or more of the Company's key personnel, particularly the
Company's executive officers, or the failure to attract and retain additional
qualified personnel, could have a material and adverse effect on the Company's
business, operating results and financial condition. The Company has
purchased, and is the beneficiary of, a key man life insurance policy on its
Chief Executive Officer in the amount of $2,000,000. See "Business--Employees"
and "Management".
 
FAILURE TO EXPAND AND RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH INTERNATIONAL SALES AND OPERATIONS
 
  During 1996, 1997 and the six months ended June 30, 1998, the Company
derived 6%, 2% and 4% of its total revenues, respectively, from sales outside
the United States. The Company's ability to achieve revenue growth in the
future will depend in large part on its success in increasing revenues from
international sales. Although the Company intends to continue to invest
significant resources to expand its sales and support operations outside the
United States and to enter additional international markets, there can be no
assurance that such efforts will be successful. In order to successfully
expand international sales, the Company must establish additional foreign
operations, expand its international channel management and support
organizations, hire additional personnel, recruit additional international
distributors and increase the productivity of existing international
distributors. To the extent that the Company is unable to do so in a timely
and cost-effective manner, the Company's business, operating results and
financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
 
  The Company's international operations are generally subject to a number of
risks, including costs of localizing products for foreign countries, trade
laws and business practices favoring local competition, dependence on local
vendors, compliance with multiple, conflicting and changing government laws
and regulations, longer sales and payment cycles, import and export
restrictions and tariffs, difficulties in staffing and managing foreign
operations, greater difficulty or delay in accounts
 
                                      11
<PAGE>
 
receivable collection, foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, multiple
and conflicting tax laws and regulations and political and economic
instability, including recent economic conditions in Asia. Because
substantially all of the Company's international revenues and costs, with the
exception of sales in Japan, have been denominated to date in U.S. dollars,
increases in the value of the United States dollar could increase the price of
the Company's products so that they become relatively more expensive to
customers in the local currency of a particular country, and result in a
reduction in sales and profitability in that country. The Company believes
that an increasing portion of the Company's revenues and costs will be
denominated in foreign currencies. To the extent such denomination in foreign
currencies does occur, gains and losses on the conversion to U.S. dollars of
accounts receivable, accounts payable and other monetary assets and
liabilities arising from international operations may contribute to
fluctuations in the Company's results of operations. Any of the foregoing
factors could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
operating results and financial condition. Although the Company may from time
to time undertake foreign exchange hedging transactions to cover a portion of
its foreign currency transaction exposure, the Company does not currently
attempt to cover any foreign currency exposure, and there can be no assurance
that the Company will be successful in any future foreign exchange hedging
transactions or that such transactions, if any, will not have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results and financial
condition. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations".
 
YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE
 
  Many currently installed computer systems and software products are coded to
accept only two digit entries in the date code field. Beginning in the year
2000, these date code fields will need to accept four digit entries in order
to distinguish 21st century dates from 20th century dates. As a result, in
less than two years, computer systems and/or software used by many companies
will need to be upgraded to comply with "Year 2000" requirements. Significant
uncertainty exists in the software industry concerning the potential effects
associated with such compliance issues. Although the Company believes that its
products are Year 2000 compliant, there can be no assurance that Year 2000
errors or defects will not be discovered in the Company's current and future
products. Any failure by the Company to make its products Year 2000 compliant
could result in a decrease in sales of the Company's products, an increase in
the allocation of resources to address Year 2000 problems of the Company's
customers without additional revenue commensurate with such dedication of
resources, or an increase in litigation costs relating to losses suffered by
the Company's customers due to such Year 2000 problems. In addition, the
Company believes that the purchasing patterns of customers and potential
customers may be impacted by Year 2000 issues. Further, many companies are
expending significant resources to correct or patch their current software
systems. These expenditures of funds may result in reduced funds available to
purchase software products such as those offered by the Company. The
occurrence of any of such events could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, results of operations or financial condition.
Additionally, to the extent the Company's products are embedded with other
companies' products that are not Year 2000 compliant, the Company's reputation
in the marketplace and indirect sales of its products by the Company's
indirect channel partners could be adversely affected, both of which could
result in a material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating
results and financial condition. The Company has conducted a preliminary
review of its internal computer systems to identify the systems that could be
affected by the Year 2000 issue and to develop a plan to resolve the issue.
Based on this preliminary review, the Company currently has no reason to
believe that its internal software systems are not Year 2000 compliant.
 
RISK OF SOFTWARE DEFECTS; PRODUCT LIABILITY
 
  Software products as complex as those offered by the Company often contain
errors or defects, particularly when first introduced, when new versions or
enhancements are released and when
 
                                      12
<PAGE>
 
configured to individual customer computing systems. The Company currently has
known errors and defects in its products. There can be no assurance that,
despite testing by the Company, additional defects and errors, including Year
2000 errors, will not be found in current versions, new versions or
enhancements of its products after commencement of commercial shipments, any
of which could result in the loss of revenues or a delay in market acceptance
and thereby have a material adverse effect on the Company's business,
operating results and financial condition. Furthermore, there can be no
assurance that when the Company's products are deployed enterprise-wide by
customers, the Company's products will meet all of the expectations and
demands of its customers. See "Business--Research and Development".
 
  Although the Company's license agreements with its customers typically
contain provisions designed to limit the Company's exposure to potential
product liability claims, it is possible that such limitation of liability
provisions may not be effective as a result of existing or future laws or
unfavorable judicial decisions. The Company has not experienced any product
liability claims to date. However, the sale and support of the Company's
products may entail the risks of such claims, which are likely to be
substantial in light of the use of the Company's products in business-critical
applications. A product liability claim brought against the Company could have
a material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results and
financial condition. See "Business--Products and Technology" and "--Research
and Development".
 
LIMITED PROTECTION OF PROPRIETARY TECHNOLOGY; RISKS OF INFRINGEMENT
 
  The Company has one issued U.S. patent and one U.S. patent pending and
relies primarily on a combination of copyright and trademark laws, trade
secrets, confidentiality procedures and contractual provisions to protect its
proprietary technology. For example, the Company licenses its software
pursuant to shrinkwrap or signed license agreements, which impose certain
restrictions on licensees' ability to utilize the software. In addition, the
Company seeks to avoid disclosure of its intellectual property, including
requiring those persons with access to the Company's proprietary information
to execute confidentiality agreements with the Company and restricting access
to the Company's source code. The Company seeks to protect its software,
documentation and other written materials under trade secret and copyright
laws, which afford only limited protection.
 
  Despite the Company's efforts to protect its proprietary rights,
unauthorized parties may attempt to copy aspects of the Company's products or
to obtain and use information that the Company regards as proprietary.
Policing unauthorized use of the Company's products is difficult, and while
the Company is unable to determine the extent to which piracy of its software
products exists, software piracy can be expected to be a persistent problem.
In addition, the laws of many countries do not protect the Company's
proprietary rights to as great an extent as do the laws of the United States.
There can be no assurance that the Company's means of protecting its
proprietary rights will be adequate or that the Company's competitors will not
independently develop similar technology. Any failure by the Company to
meaningfully protect its intellectual property could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business, operating results and financial condition.
 
  To date, the Company has not been notified that its products infringe the
proprietary rights of third parties, but there can be no assurance that third
parties will not claim infringement by the Company with respect to current or
future products. The Company expects enterprise reporting software product
developers will increasingly be subject to infringement claims as the number
of products and competitors in the Company's industry segment grows and the
functionality of products in different industry segments overlaps. Any such
claims, with or without merit, could be time-consuming to defend, result in
costly litigation, divert management's attention and resources, cause product
shipment delays or require the Company to enter into royalty or licensing
agreements. Such royalty or licensing agreements, if required, may not be
available on terms acceptable to the Company or at all. A successful claim of
product infringement against the Company and the failure or inability of the
 
                                      13
<PAGE>
 
Company to license the infringed or similar technology could have a material
adverse effect upon the Company's business, operating results and financial
condition.
 
RISK OF CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
 
  Statement of Position 97-2 ("SOP 97-2"), "Software Revenue Recognition" was
issued in October 1997 by the American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants and amended by Statement of Position 98-4 ("SOP 98-4"). The
Company adopted SOP 97-2 effective January 1, 1998. Based upon its reading and
interpretation of SOP 97-2 and SOP 98-4, the Company believes its current
revenue recognition policies and practices are materially consistent with SOP
97-2 and SOP 98-4. However, full implementation guidelines for this standard
have not yet been issued. Once available, such implementation guidance could
lead to unanticipated changes in the Company's current revenue accounting
practices, and such changes could materially adversely affect the Company's
future revenue and earnings. Such implementation guidance may necessitate
significant changes in the Company's business practices in order for the
Company to continue to recognize license fee revenue upon delivery of its
software products. Such changes may have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, operating results and financial condition. See
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations".
 
BENEFITS OF THE OFFERING TO EXISTING STOCKHOLDERS
 
  The existing stockholders of the Company will recognize significant benefits
from this offering. These benefits include the creation of a public market for
the Company's Common Stock, which will afford existing stockholders the
ability to liquidate their investments, subject, in certain cases, to volume
limitations and other limitations and restrictions upon the sale of the Common
Stock. Certain of the Company's stockholders will sell shares in this
offering. See "Principal and Selling Stockholders". As of June 30, 1998,
existing stockholders held 10,553,000 shares of Common Stock (on an as
converted basis) which shares were originally purchased from the Company at
prices ranging from $0.03 to $6.23 per share, with an aggregate consideration
paid to the Company of approximately $14,800,000. Based on the initial public
offering price of $11.00 per share, after this offering (assuming no exercise
of the Underwriters' over-allotment option) the aggregate value of the shares
owned by the Company's existing stockholders will be $116,083,000 ($24,145,000
of which is held by current management), reflecting unrealized gains of
approximately $101,283,000 over the aggregate consideration paid to the
Company for such shares (assuming that such shares continue to be held by the
original purchasers thereof). Further, as of June 30, 1998, there were
1,046,300 shares of Common Stock issuable upon exercise of outstanding options
at a weighted average exercise price of $3.41. Such options have an aggregate
potential realizable gain of approximately $7,941,417. Accordingly, after this
offering, existing stockholders and optionholders will have substantial
unrealized gains on their retained shares and options. See "Shares Eligible
For Future Sale," "Dilution" and "Principal and Selling Stockholders".
 
NO PRIOR TRADING MARKET FOR THE COMMON STOCK; POTENTIAL VOLATILITY OF STOCK
PRICE
 
  Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the Common
Stock, and there can be no assurance that an active trading market will
develop or be sustained after this offering. The initial public offering price
was determined by negotiation among the Company and the representatives of the
Underwriters, and may not be indicative of the price that will prevail in the
open market. The market price of the Common Stock is likely to be highly
volatile and may be significantly affected by factors such as actual or
anticipated fluctuations in the Company's operating results, announcements of
technological innovations, new products or new contracts by the Company or its
competitors, developments with respect to copyrights or proprietary rights,
conditions and trends in the software and other technology industries,
adoption of new accounting standards affecting the software industry, changes
in financial estimates by securities analysts, changes in the economic
conditions in the United States and abroad, general market conditions and
other factors. In addition, the stock market has from
 
                                      14
<PAGE>
 
time to time experienced significant price and volume fluctuations that have
particularly affected the market prices for the securities of technology
companies. In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of
a particular company's securities, securities class action litigation has
often been brought against such company. There can be no assurance that such
litigation will not occur in the future with respect to the Company. Such
litigation could result in substantial costs and a diversion of management's
attention and resources, which could have a material adverse effect upon the
Company's business, operating results and financial condition. See
"Underwriting".
 
CONTROL OF COMPANY BY EXISTING STOCKHOLDERS
 
  Upon the consummation of this offering (based on 10,553,000 shares
outstanding as of June 30, 1998), the executive officers and directors of the
Company and their affiliates in the aggregate will beneficially own
approximately 57.6% of the outstanding Common Stock, (55.2% if the
Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full). As a result, these
stockholders will be able to exercise control over all matters requiring
stockholder approval, including the election of directors and approval of
significant corporate transactions. Such concentration of ownership may have
the effect of delaying or preventing a change in control of the Company. See
"Principal and Selling Stockholders".
 
EFFECT OF CERTAIN CHARTER PROVISIONS; ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECTS OF CERTIFICATE OF
INCORPORATION, BYLAWS AND DELAWARE LAW
 
  The Company's Certificate of Incorporation, as amended and restated (the
"Certificate of Incorporation"), and Bylaws, as amended and restated
("Bylaws"), contain certain provisions that may have the effect of
discouraging, delaying or preventing a change in control of the Company or
unsolicited acquisition proposals that a stockholder might consider favorable,
including provisions authorizing the issuance of "blank check" preferred stock
and eliminating the ability of stockholders to act by written consent. In
addition, certain provisions of Delaware law and the Company's 1998 Equity
Incentive Plan may also have the effect of discouraging, delaying or
preventing a change in control of the Company or unsolicited acquisition
proposals. The anti-takeover effect of these provisions may also have an
adverse effect on the public trading price of the Company's Common Stock. See
"Management--Stock Plans", "Description of Capital Stock--Preferred Stock" and
"--Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation,
Bylaws and Delaware Law".
 
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
 
  Sales of a substantial number of shares of Common Stock after the offering
could adversely affect the market price of the Common Stock and could impair
the Company's ability to raise capital through the sale of equity securities.
Upon completion of the offering, the Company will have outstanding 13,443,000
shares of Common Stock (13,693,000 shares if the Underwriters' over-allotment
option is exercised in full), assuming no exercise of options after June 30,
1998. Of these shares, the 3,000,000 shares offered hereby (3,450,000 shares
if the Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full) will be
freely tradable without restriction or further registration under the
Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), unless purchased by
"affiliates" of the Company as that term is defined in Rule 144 under the
Securities Act ("Rule 144") described below. The remaining 10,443,000 shares
of Common Stock outstanding upon completion of the offering will be
"restricted securities" as that term is defined in Rule 144 (assuming no
exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment option).
 
  Restricted securities may be sold in the public market only if registered or
if they qualify for an exemption from the registration under Rule 144, 144(k)
or 701 promulgated under the Securities Act. As a result of the contractual
restrictions described below and the provisions of Rules 144, 144(k) and 701,
additional shares will be available for sale in the public market as follows:
10,443,000 shares will be eligible for sale upon expiration of lock-up
agreements between certain stockholders of the Company and the representatives
of the Underwriters and contractual obligations between certain
 
                                      15
<PAGE>
 
stockholders and the Company following the expiration of 180 days from the
date of this Prospectus, 8,616,337 of which shares shall initially be subject
to the volume and manner of sale restrictions under Rule 144. In addition to
the foregoing, as of June 30, 1998, there were outstanding under the 1998
Equity Incentive Plan and its predecessor plan, options to purchase an
aggregate of 1,046,300 shares of Common Stock. The shares underlying such
options will be eligible for sale upon expiration of the lock-up provisions
contained in the Plan and its predecessor plan (the "Plan Stand-off
Agreements") following the expiration of 180 days from the date of this
Prospectus, subject in certain cases to such shares underlying outstanding
options becoming eligible for sale more than 180 days after the date of this
Prospectus as such options vest. The Company has agreed not to release shares
from the lock-up provisions of the Plan Stand-Off Agreements without the prior
written consent of Goldman, Sachs & Co. In addition, the Company intends to
register, following this offering, approximately 2,655,450 shares of Common
Stock subject to outstanding options or reserved for issuance under the
Company's stock and option plans. Further, certain stockholders holding
approximately 6,489,732 shares of Common Stock are entitled to demand
registration of their shares of Common Stock. By exercising their demand
registration rights, such stockholders could cause a large number of
securities to be registered and sold in the public market, which could have an
adverse effect on the market price of the Common Stock. See "Description of
Capital Stock" and "Shares Eligible for Future Sale".
 
IMMEDIATE AND SUBSTANTIAL DILUTION
 
  The initial public offering price is substantially higher than the book
value per share of the outstanding Common Stock. As a result, investors
purchasing Common Stock in this offering will incur immediate and substantial
dilution. To the extent outstanding options to purchase Common Stock are
exercised, there will be further dilution. See "Dilution" and "Shares Eligible
for Future Sale".
 
UNCERTAINTY AS TO USE OF PROCEEDS
 
  The primary purposes of this offering are to increase the Company's equity
capital, to create a public market for the Company's Common Stock and to
facilitate future access to public markets. As of the date of this Prospectus,
the Company has no specific plans for the use of the net proceeds from this
offering other than for general corporate purposes, including working capital
and capital expenditures. Accordingly, the Company's management will retain
broad discretion as to the allocation of a substantial portion of the net
proceeds from this offering. Pending any such uses, the Company plans to
invest the net proceeds in investment-grade, interest-bearing securities. See
"--Risks Associated with Potential Acquisitions of Certain International
Distributors", "Use of Proceeds" and "Certain Transactions".
 
                                      16
<PAGE>
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
  The net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the 2,890,000 shares of
Common Stock offered hereby, at the initial public offering price of $11.00
per share, are estimated to be $28.8 million ($31.4 million if the
Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full), after deducting
underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable
by the Company. The primary purposes of this offering are to increase the
Company's equity capital, to create a public market for the Company's Common
Stock and to facilitate future access to public markets. As of the date of
this Prospectus, the Company has no specific plans to use the net proceeds
from this offering other than as set forth below.
 
  The Company expects to use the net proceeds of the offering for general
corporate purposes, including working capital and capital expenditures.
Furthermore, from time to time the Company expects to evaluate the acquisition
of products, technologies and businesses, including the potential acquisition
of certain international distributors, that complement the Company's business,
for which a portion of the net proceeds may be used. Currently, however, the
Company does not have any understandings, commitments or agreements to use any
of the net proceeds of this offering with respect to any such acquisitions.
Pending use of the net proceeds for the above purposes, the Company plans to
invest the net proceeds in short-term, interest-bearing, investment-grade
obligations. See "Risk Factors--Risks Associated with Potential Acquisitions
of Certain International Distributors", "Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Certain Transactions".
 
                                DIVIDEND POLICY
 
  The Company has never declared or paid any cash dividends on its Common
Stock and does not expect to do so in the foreseeable future. The Company
anticipates that all future earnings, if any, generated from operations will
be retained by the Company to develop and expand its business. In addition,
the terms of the Company's line of credit prohibits the payment of cash
dividends without the lender's consent. See Note 10 of Notes to Financial
Statements.
 
                                      17
<PAGE>
 
                                CAPITALIZATION
 
  The following table sets forth the total capitalization of the Company as of
June 30, 1998, (i) on an actual basis, (ii) on a pro forma basis to reflect
the conversion of all outstanding shares of Preferred Stock into Common Stock
upon the closing of this offering and (iii) on a pro forma basis as adjusted
to reflect the sale of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby (at the
initial offering price of $11.00 per share) and the application of the net
proceeds therefrom. See "Use of Proceeds". This table should be read in
conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations" and the Financial Statements and Notes thereto
appearing elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        JUNE 30, 1998
                                                --------------------------------
                                                 ACTUAL   PRO FORMA  AS ADJUSTED
                                                --------  ---------  -----------
                                                        (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                             <C>       <C>        <C>
Capital lease obligations, current portion..... $    116  $    116    $    116
                                                ========  ========    ========
Capital lease obligations, less current
 portion....................................... $     65  $     65    $     65
Stockholders' equity (deficit):
  Convertible preferred stock: $0.001 par
   value, 10,939,464 shares authorized,
   6,489,732 shares outstanding, actual;
   5,000,000 shares authorized, no shares
   outstanding, pro forma and as adjusted......        6       --          --
  Common stock: $0.001 par value, 20,000,000
   shares authorized, 4,063,268 shares
   outstanding, actual; 35,000,000 shares
   authorized, 10,553,000 shares outstanding,
   pro forma; 35,000,000 shares authorized,
   13,443,000 shares outstanding as
   adjusted(1).................................        4        10          13
  Additional paid-in capital...................   15,641    15,641      44,478
  Note receivable from officer.................      (40)      (40)        (40)
Deferred stock compensation....................     (593)     (593)       (593)
Accumulated deficit............................  (20,475)  (20,475)    (20,475)
                                                --------  --------    --------
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)...........   (5,457)   (5,457)     23,383
                                                --------  --------    --------
    Total capitalization....................... $ (5,392) $ (5,392)   $ 23,448
                                                ========  ========    ========
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Excludes (i) 1,046,300 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise
    of outstanding stock options under the Company's 1994 Stock Option Plan as
    of June 30, 1998 at a weighted average exercise price of approximately
    $3.41 per share, (ii) 1,300,000 shares of Common Stock reserved for
    issuance under the Company's 1998 Equity Incentive Plan, (iii) 250,000
    shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the Company's 1998
    Employee Stock Purchase Plan and (iv) 200,000 shares of Common Stock
    reserved for issuance under the Company's 1998 Non-Employee Directors
    Option Plan. See "Management--Stock Plans" and Notes 8 and 10 of Notes to
    Financial Statements.
 
                                      18
<PAGE>
 
                                   DILUTION
 
  The pro forma net tangible book value of the Company's Common Stock as of
June 30, 1998, giving effect to the conversion of all outstanding shares of
Preferred Stock into 6,489,732 shares of Common Stock upon the closing of this
offering, was a deficit of $5.5 million, or approximately $(0.52) per share.
"Pro forma net tangible book value" per share represents the amount of total
tangible assets of the Company less total liabilities, divided by the
10,553,000 shares of Common Stock outstanding. Dilution per share represents
the difference between the amount per share paid by purchasers of shares of
Common Stock in the offering made hereby and the pro forma net tangible book
value per share of Common Stock immediately after completion of the offering.
After giving effect to the sale of 2,890,000 shares of Common Stock in this
offering at the initial public offering price of $11.00 per share and the
application of the estimated net proceeds therefrom, the pro forma net
tangible book value of the Company as of June 30, 1998 would have been $23.4
million or $1.74 per share. This represents an immediate increase in pro forma
net tangible book value of $2.26 per share to existing stockholders and an
immediate dilution of $9.26 per share to purchasers of Common Stock in the
offering. The following table illustrates this per share dilution:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                               <C>     <C>
Initial public offering price per share..........................         $11.00
  Pro forma net tangible book value (deficit) per share as of
   June 30, 1998................................................. $(0.52)
  Increase per share attributable to new investors(1)............   2.26
                                                                  ------
Pro forma net tangible book value per share after this
 offering(2).....................................................           1.74
                                                                          ------
Dilution per share to new investors..............................         $ 9.26
                                                                          ------
</TABLE>
 
  The following table summarizes, on a pro forma basis as of June 30, 1998,
the difference between the number of shares of Common Stock purchased from the
Company, the total consideration paid and the average price per share paid by
existing stockholders and by the new investors (before deducting the estimated
underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering expenses payable
by the Company) at the initial offering price of $11.00 per share.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                            SHARES PURCHASED(3)    TOTAL CONSIDERATION  AVERAGE
                            ------------------------------------------   PRICE
                              NUMBER     PERCENT     AMOUNT    PERCENT PER SHARE
                            ------------ --------------------- ------- ---------
<S>                         <C>          <C>       <C>         <C>     <C>
Existing stockholders......   10,553,000       79% $14,800,000     32%  $ 1.40
New stockholders...........    2,890,000       21  $31,790,000     68   $11.00
                            ------------  -------  -----------  -----
  Totals...................   13,443,000    100.0% $46,590,000  100.0%
                            ------------  -------  -----------  -----
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Does not give effect to the exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment
    option.
(2) After deducting underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated
    offering expenses of approximately $3.0 million payable by the Company.
(3) Excludes (i) 1,046,300 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise
    of outstanding stock options under the Company's 1994 Stock Option Plan as
    of June 30, 1998, at a weighted average exercise price of approximately
    $3.41 per share, (ii) 1,300,000 shares of Common Stock reserved for
    issuance under the Company's 1998 Equity Incentive Plan, (iii) 250,000
    shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the Company's 1998
    Employee Stock Purchase Plan and (iv) 200,000 shares of Common Stock
    reserved for issuance under the Company's 1998 Non-Employee Directors
    Option Plan. To the extent outstanding options are exercised, there will
    be further dilution to new investors. See "Management--Stock Plans" and
    Notes 8 and 10 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
 
                                      19
<PAGE>
 
                            SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
 
  The following selected financial data should be read in conjunction with
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations, and with the Financial Statements and Notes thereto which are
included elsewhere in this Prospectus. The statement of operations data for
the fiscal years ended December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997 and the balance sheet
data at December 31, 1996 and 1997 are derived from the audited Financial
Statements included elsewhere in this Prospectus. The balance sheet data as of
December 31, 1995 is derived from audited financial statements that are not
included in this Prospectus. The statement of operations data for the six
months ended June 30, 1997 and 1998 and the balance sheet data as of June 30,
1998, are derived from unaudited financial statements included elsewhere in
this Prospectus, and in the opinion of the Company, include all adjustments,
consisting solely of normal recurring accruals, which are necessary to present
fairly the data for such period and as of such date. The statement of
operations data for the period from inception (November 1993) to December 31,
1994 and the balance sheet data at December 31, 1994 are derived from
unaudited financial statements not included in this prospectus. Historical
results are not necessarily indicative of results in the future, and the
results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be
expected for the entire year.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                           INCEPTION                                SIX MONTHS
                            THROUGH          YEARS ENDED               ENDED
                          DECEMBER 31,      DECEMBER 31,             JUNE 30,
                          ------------ -------------------------  ----------------
                              1994      1995     1996     1997     1997     1998
                          ------------ -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
                                 (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                       <C>          <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
 DATA:
Revenues:
 License fees...........     $  --     $   --   $   343  $ 7,542  $ 2,829  $ 7,009
 Services...............        --          22      308    1,976      616    1,754
                             ------    -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
   Total revenues.......        --          22      651    9,518    3,445    8,763
                             ------    -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
Cost of revenues:
 License fees...........        --         --       171      647      207      531
 Services...............        --          53      305    1,263      381    1,529
                             ------    -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
   Total cost of
    revenues............        --          53      476    1,910      588    2,060
                             ------    -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
Gross profit (loss).....        --         (31)     175    7,608    2,857    6,703
Operating expenses:
 Sales and marketing....        118        847    2,965    7,366    2,914    5,467
 Research and
  development...........        635      1,883    2,731    6,213    2,504    3,574
 General and
  administrative........        102        240      603    1,317      413    1,200
                             ------    -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
   Total operating
    expenses............        855      2,970    6,299   14,896    5,831   10,241
                             ------    -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
Loss from operations....       (855)    (3,001)  (6,124)  (7,288)  (2,974)  (3,538)
Equity in losses of
 affiliate..............        --         --       (25)     (36)     (16)     --
Interest and other
 income, net............         18        166       90       82       30       36
                             ------    -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
Net loss................     $ (837)   $(2,835) $(6,059) $(7,242) $(2,960) $(3,502)
                             ======    =======  =======  =======  =======  =======
Basic and diluted net
 loss per share(1)......     $(0.32)   $ (1.09) $(2.21)  $ (2.48) $ (1.04) $ (1.04)
                             ======    =======  =======  =======  =======  =======
Weighted average shares
 outstanding used in per
 share calculation(1)...      2,580      2,591    2,741    2,920    2,837    3,358
                             ======    =======  =======  =======  =======  =======
Pro forma basic and
 diluted net loss per
 share(1)(2)............                                 $ (0.78)          $ (0.36)
                                                         =======           =======
Shares used in computing
 pro forma basic and
 diluted net loss per
 share(2)...............                                   9,290             9,848
                                                         =======           =======
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               DECEMBER 31,
                                       ------------------------------  JUNE 30,
                                        1994   1995   1996     1997      1998
                                       ------ ------ -------  -------  --------
                                              (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                    <C>    <C>    <C>      <C>      <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash equivalents............. $   59 $1,252 $ 1,040  $ 2,901  $ 1,003
Working capital (deficit).............  3,628    637  (1,564)  (3,318)  (6,798)
Total assets..........................  3,690  1,710   3,664    7,587    6,568
Long-term obligations, less current
 portion..............................    --     144     213      124       65
Stockholders' equity (deficit)........  3,683    870  (1,191)  (2,202)  (5,457)
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) See Note 1 of Notes to Financial Statements for an explanation of the
    method used to determine the number of shares used in computing net loss
    per share.
(2) Pro forma basic and diluted net loss per share reflects the conversion of
    all outstanding Preferred Stock into Common Stock upon completion of this
    offering.
 
                                      20
<PAGE>
 
                     MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
               OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
  The following description of the Company's financial condition and results
of operations should be read in conjunction with the information included
elsewhere in this Prospectus. This description contains certain forward-
looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual
results could differ significantly from the results discussed in the forward-
looking statements as a result of certain of the factors set forth under "Risk
Factors" and elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
OVERVIEW
 
  Actuate Software Corporation is a leading provider of enterprise reporting
solutions that enable organizations to systematically extract, publish and
disseminate information across distributed computing environments. The Company
began shipping its Actuate Reporting System in January 1996, and the Company's
most recent version of the Actuate Reporting System, Version 3.1, began
shipping in May 1998. The Company had net losses of $6.1 million and $7.2
million in 1996 and 1997, respectively, and a net loss of $3.5 million for the
six months ended June 30, 1998, and had an accumulated deficit of
approximately $20.5 million as of June 30, 1998.
 
  The Company sells software products through two primary means: (i) directly
to end user customers through its direct sales force and (ii) through indirect
channel partners such as enterprise application vendors, resellers and
distributors. Enterprise application vendors generally integrate the Company's
products with their applications and either embed them into their products or
resell them with their products. The Company's other indirect channel partners
resell the Company's software products to end user customers. The Company's
revenues are derived primarily from license fees for software products and, to
a lesser extent, fees for services relating to such products, including
software maintenance and support, training and consulting.
 
  License fee revenues from sales of software products directly to end user
customers are recognized as revenue after execution of a license agreement or
receipt of a definitive purchase order and shipment of the product, provided
no significant vendor obligations remain and collection of the resulting
receivables is deemed probable. The Company's products do not require
significant customization. The majority of license fee revenues from direct
sales to end user customers is from sales of specific individual products to
such customers and is recognized upon shipment of the applicable product.
Advance payments from end user customers, in arrangements in which the end
user customer has the right to future unspecified products, are deferred and
recognized as revenue ratably over the estimated term of the period, typically
one year, during which the end user is entitled to receive the products. These
license arrangements typically have a term of between two and five years,
which can be extended upon mutual agreement by the parties, are terminable by
either party in the event of a material breach of the license agreement by the
other party if such breach is not cured within a specified cure period,
contain certain representations, warranties and indemnities and provisions
designed to limit the parties' liability under the license agreement. In
addition, license arrangements with enterprise application vendors typically
require that such vendors only license the Company's products to their
customers for use with such vendor's application. Furthermore, license
arrangements with international distributors give such international
distributors the exclusive right to distribute the Company's products to end
user customers headquartered in specified territories.
 
  License arrangements with indirect channel partners such as enterprise
application vendors, resellers and distributors generally take the form of
either (i) fixed price arrangements in which the contracting entity has the
right to the unlimited usage and resale of the licensed software for a
specified term and pursuant to which license fee revenue is deferred and
recognized on a straight-line basis over the term of the license agreement or
(ii) arrangements pursuant to which a royalty is paid to the Company, which
the Company recognizes as revenue based on the enterprise application vendor's
sell-through of the Company's product.
 
 
                                      21
<PAGE>
 
  Service revenues are primarily comprised of revenue from maintenance
agreements, training and consulting fees. Revenue from maintenance agreements
is deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis as service revenue over
the term of the related agreement, which is typically one year. Service
revenues from training and consulting services are recognized upon completion
of the work to be performed.
 
  Statement of Position 97-2 ("SOP 97-2"), "Software Revenue Recognition" was
issued in October 1997 by the American Institute of Certified Public
Accountants and amended by Statement of Position 98-4 ("SOP 98-4"). The
Company adopted SOP 97-2 effective January 1, 1998. Based upon its reading and
interpretation of SOP 97-2 and SOP 98-4, the Company believes its current
revenue recognition policies and practices are materially consistent with SOP
97-2 and SOP 98-4. However, full implementation guidelines for this standard
have not yet been issued. Once available, such implementation guidance could
lead to unanticipated changes in the Company's current revenue accounting
practices, and such changes could materially adversely affect the Company's
future revenue and earnings. Such implementation guidance may necessitate
significant changes in the Company's business practices in order for the
Company to continue to recognize license fee revenue upon delivery of its
software products. Such changes may have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, operating results and financial condition.
 
  The Company to date has sold its products internationally primarily through
distributors located in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan, the
Philippines, Singapore, South Africa and the Netherlands. During 1996, 1997
and the six months ended June 30, 1998, the Company derived 6%, 2% and 4% of
its total revenues, respectively, from sales outside the United States. The
Company's ability to achieve revenue growth in the future will depend in large
part on its success in increasing revenues from international sales. Although
the Company intends to continue to invest significant resources to expand its
sales and support operations outside the United States and to enter additional
international markets, there can be no assurance that such efforts will be
successful. In order to successfully expand international sales, the Company
must establish additional foreign operations, expand its international channel
management and support organizations, hire additional personnel, recruit
additional international distributors and increase the productivity of
existing international distributors. To the extent that the Company is unable
to do so in a timely and cost-effective manner, the Company's business,
operating results and financial condition could be materially adversely
affected. The Company is a party to agreements with its Japanese distributor
and the parent company of its French, German and United Kingdom distributors,
under which the Company is likely to (and under certain circumstances, would
bear substantial financial penalties if it did not) acquire such International
Distributors at some point in the future. Such an acquisition could be
triggered by the parent company of the European distributors at its discretion
beginning six months after the effective date of this offering, and by the
Japanese distributor at its discretion nine months after the effective date of
this offering. In connection with any such acquisition, the Company would be
required to pay a purchase price (equal to at least such distributor's last
twelve months' revenues as of the date of such acquisition) in registered
shares of the Company's Common Stock or in cash, which may have the effect of
diluting existing stockholders, adversely affecting the price of the Company's
Common Stock or reducing the available cash for working capital and other
purposes. At present, the Company is unable to predict the accounting
treatment of any such acquisitions, in part because it is unclear what
accounting regulations, conventions or interpretations may prevail in the
future. If any such acquisition is accounted for by the Company as a
"purchase" transaction (as opposed to a pooling of interests), it could cause
the Company to recognize substantial goodwill and other intangible asset
amortization charges in the quarters and fiscal years immediately following
the date on which such an acquisition is effected, depending upon the purchase
price paid by the Company for such acquisition. As a result, if the
acquisition is accounted for as a "purchase" transaction, it could have a
material adverse effect on reported earnings per share during these periods in
which the Company records the amortization of intangible assets acquired.
Finally, any such acquisition would require substantial management
 
                                      22
<PAGE>
 
attention, impose costs on the Company associated with integrating the
acquired entities, require the Company to coordinate sales and marketing
efforts with the acquired companies and subject the Company to additional, and
potentially substantial, regulation as an owner of foreign subsidiaries, any
of which could have a material adverse effect on the business, operating
results and financial condition of the Company. See "Certain Transactions".
 
  The Company's limited operating history makes the prediction of future
operating results difficult and unreliable. In addition, given its limited
operating history and recent rapid growth, historical growth rates in the
Company's revenues should not be considered indicative of future revenue
growth rates or operating results. There can be no assurance that any of the
Company's business strategies will be successful or that the Company will be
able to achieve profitability on a quarterly or annual basis. See "Risk
Factors--Limited Operating History; Lack of Profitability" and "--Fluctuations
in Quarterly Operating Results".
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
  The following table sets forth certain statement of operations data as a
percentage of total revenues for the periods indicated (The statement of
operations data as a percentage of total revenue is not included for the
period ended December 31, 1995 because revenues in 1995 were negligible and
therefore the Company believes such data is not meaningful):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            YEARS ENDED        SIX MONTHS
                                           DECEMBER 31,      ENDED JUNE 30,
                                           ---------------   ------------------
                                            1996     1997     1997       1998
                                           ------   ------   -------    -------
<S>                                        <C>      <C>      <C>        <C>
Revenues:
  License fees............................     53 %    79 %       82 %       80 %
  Services................................     47      21         18         20
                                           ------   -----    -------    -------
    Total revenues........................    100     100        100        100
                                           ------   -----    -------    -------
Cost of revenues:
  License fees............................     26       7          6          6
  Services................................     47      13         11         17
                                           ------   -----    -------    -------
    Total cost of revenues................     73      20         17         23
                                           ------   -----    -------    -------
Gross profit..............................     27      80         83         77
                                           ------   -----    -------    -------
Operating expenses:
  Sales and marketing.....................    455      78         84         62
  Research and development................    420      65         73         41
  General and administrative..............     93      14         12         14
                                           ------   -----    -------    -------
    Total operating expenses..............    968     157        169        117
                                           ------   -----    -------    -------
Loss from operations......................   (941)    (77)       (86)       (40)
Equity in losses of affiliate.............     (4)     --         --         --
Interest and other income (expense), net..     14       1          1         --
                                           ------   -----    -------    -------
Net loss..................................   (931)%   (76)%      (85)%      (40)%
                                           ======   =====    =======    =======
</TABLE>
 
                                      23
<PAGE>
 
SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 1997 AND 1998
 
 REVENUES
 
  Total revenues increased 154% from $3.4 million for the six months ended
June 30, 1997 to $8.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 1998.
 
  LICENSE FEES. Revenues from license fees increased 148% from $2.8 million
for the six months ended June 30, 1997 to $7.0 million for the six months
ended June 30, 1998. The increase was the result of increased sales to new
customers and increased follow-on sales to existing customers primarily as a
result of the release of Version 3.0 of the Actuate Reporting System in the
fourth quarter of 1997 and to a lesser extent increases in average selling
prices for the Company's products. Revenues from license fees from the
Company's indirect channel partners, including enterprise application vendors,
resellers and distributors, accounted for 35% and 40% of total revenues from
license fees for the six months ended June 30, 1997 and 1998, respectively.
 
  SERVICES. Services revenues increased 185% from $616,000 for the six months
ended June 30, 1997 to $1.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 1998.
The increase was primarily due to increases in maintenance and support
contracts associated with higher license fee revenues and, to a lesser extent,
increases in training and consulting revenues related to increases in the
Company's installed customer base.
 
 COST OF REVENUES
 
  LICENSE FEES. Cost of revenues from license fees consists primarily of
personnel and related costs, and product packaging, documentation and
production costs. Cost of revenues from license fees increased from $207,000,
or 7% of revenues from license fees, for the six months ended June 30, 1997 to
$531,000, or 8% of revenues from license fees, for the six months ended June
30, 1998. The increase in absolute dollars was primarily due to the increase
in the number of licenses sold. The increase in cost of revenues as a
percentage of revenues from license fees was due to the costs associated with
the release of Version 3.1 of the Actuate Reporting System in May 1998.
 
  SERVICES. Cost of services revenues consists primarily of personnel and
related costs, facilities costs incurred in providing software maintenance and
support, training and consulting services, as well as third-party costs
incurred in providing training and consulting services. Cost of services
revenues increased from $381,000, or 62% of services revenues, for the six
months ended June 30, 1997 to $1.5 million, or 87% of services revenues, for
the six months ended June 30, 1998. The increase in absolute dollars and as a
percentage of services revenues was primarily due to the increase in the
number of personnel resulting from the Company's expansion of its support
services as well as an increase in third party training and consulting
services.
 
 OPERATING EXPENSES
 
  SALES AND MARKETING. Sales and marketing expenses consist primarily of
salaries, commissions and bonuses earned by sales and marketing personnel,
promotional expenses, travel and entertainment and facility expenses. Sales
and marketing expenses increased from $2.9 million, or 84% of total revenues,
for the six months ended June 30, 1997 to $5.5 million, or 62% of total
revenues, for the six months ended June 30, 1998. The increase in absolute
dollars was primarily due to the hiring of additional sales and marketing
personnel, higher sales commissions associated with increased revenues and
increased marketing program expenses. The decrease as a percentage of total
revenues was primarily due to increased productivity of the Company's sales
force. The Company expects that sales and marketing expenses will continue to
increase in absolute dollars in future periods as the Company continues to
hire additional sales and marketing personnel, establish additional U.S. sales
offices, expand international distribution channels and increase promotional
activities.
 
                                      24
<PAGE>
 
  RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. Research and development expenses are expensed as
incurred and consist primarily of personnel and related costs associated with
the development of new products, the enhancement of existing products, quality
assurance and testing. Research and development expenses increased from $2.5
million, or 73% of total revenues, for the six months ended June 30, 1997 to
$3.6 million, or 41% of total revenues, for the six months ended June 30,
1998. The increase in absolute dollars was primarily due to increased
personnel and related costs associated with the development of new products,
third party consulting fees, the enhancement of existing products, quality
assurance and testing, depreciation of capital expenditures and facilities
costs. The decrease as a percentage of total revenues was due primarily to
increased product sales. The Company believes that a significant level of
investment for research and development is essential to maintain product and
technical leadership and anticipates that it will continue to devote
substantial resources to research and development and that these expenses will
increase in absolute dollars in future periods.
 
  GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE. General and administrative expenses consist
primarily of personnel and related costs for finance, human resources,
information systems and general management, as well as legal and accounting
expenses. General and administrative expenses increased from $413,000, or 12%
of total revenues, for the six months ended June 30, 1997 to $1.2 million, or
14% of total revenues, for the six months ended June 30, 1998. The increases
in absolute dollars and as a percentage of total revenues were primarily due
to increased personnel and related costs and professional fees necessary to
manage and support the Company's growth and facilities expansion. The Company
believes that its general and administrative expenses will increase in
absolute dollars in future periods as the Company expands its staffing to
support continued growth and expanded operations and assumes the reporting
responsibilities of a public company.
 
  DEFERRED COMPENSATION. The Company recorded deferred compensation of
approximately $197,000 and $619,000 during 1997 and the six months ended June
30, 1998, respectively, and the Company recorded amortization expense of
approximately $90,000 and $133,000, respectively, during these periods. These
amounts represent the difference between the exercise price of certain stock
option grants and the deemed fair value of the Company's Common Stock at the
time of such grants. All such deferred compensation expense has been included
in general and administrative expenses. The remaining amounts will be
amortized over the corresponding vesting period, generally five years, of each
respective option.
 
 INTEREST AND OTHER INCOME, NET
 
  Interest and other income, net, is comprised primarily of interest income
earned by the Company on its cash and short-term investments. Interest and
other income, net increased from a net income of $30,000 for the six months
ended June 30, 1997 to net income of $36,000 for the six months ended June 30,
1998. The increase was primarily due to the investment of the proceeds from
the Company's sale of preferred stock in April 1997 and the interest on such
proceeds.
 
                                      25
<PAGE>
 
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995, 1996 AND 1997
 
 REVENUES
 
  The Company's total revenues increased from $22,000 in 1995 to $651,000 in
1996 and to $9.5 million in 1997.
 
  LICENSE FEES. Revenues from license fees increased from $343,000 in 1996 to
$7.5 million in 1997, primarily due to increased sales to new customers and
increased follow-on sales to existing customers and, to a lesser extent,
increases in average selling prices for the Company's products. Revenues from
license fees from the Company's indirect channel partners, including
enterprise application vendors, resellers and distributors, accounted for 50%
and 38% of total revenues from license fees for 1996 and 1997, respectively.
 
  SERVICES. Services revenues increased from $22,000 in 1995 to $308,000 in
1996 and to $2.0 million in 1997, primarily due to increases in maintenance
and support and, to a lesser extent, increases in training and consulting
revenues related to increases in the Company's installed customer base.
 
 COST OF REVENUES
 
  LICENSE FEES. Cost of revenues from license fees increased from $171,000, or
50% of revenues from license fees, in 1996 to $647,000, or 9% of revenues from
license fees, in 1997. The increase in absolute dollars was primarily due to
the increase in the number of licenses sold. The decrease in cost of revenues
as a percentage of revenues from license fees was due to improved leverage in
personnel and production costs.
 
  SERVICES. Cost of services revenues increased from $53,000 in 1995 to
$305,000, or 99% of services revenues, in 1996 and to $1.3 million, or 64% of
services revenues, in 1997. The year to year increase in absolute dollars was
primarily due to increases in the number of personnel resulting from the
Company's expansion of its support services as well as increases in third
party training and consulting services. The decrease in cost of services
revenues in 1997 as a percentage of services revenues was primarily due to a
significant increase in services revenues.
 
 OPERATING EXPENSES
 
  SALES AND MARKETING. Sales and marketing expenses increased by 250% from
$847,000 in 1995 to $3.0 million in 1996 and by 148% to $7.4 million in 1997
primarily due to the hiring of additional sales and marketing personnel,
higher sales commissions associated with increased revenues and increased
marketing activities.
 
  RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT. Research and development expenses increased by 45%
from $1.9 million in 1995 to $2.7 million in 1996 and by 127% to $6.2 million
in 1997 primarily due to increased personnel and related costs associated with
the development of new products, the enhancement of existing products, quality
assurance and testing, depreciation of capital expenditures and facilities
costs.
 
  GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE. General and administrative expenses increased by
151% from $240,000 in 1995 to $603,000 in 1996 and by 118% to $1.3 million in
1997 primarily due to increases in personnel and related costs and
professional fees necessary to manage and support the Company's growth and
facilities expansion.
 
 INTEREST AND OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET
 
  Interest and other income (expense), net, decreased from $166,000 in 1995 to
$90,000 in 1996 and to $82,000 in 1997 primarily due to decreases in cash
balances to support continuing operations.
 
                                      26
<PAGE>
 
 EQUITY IN LOSSES OF AFFILIATE
 
  Equity in losses of affiliate totalled $25,000 and $36,000 during 1996 and
1997, respectively. In 1996, the Company made an equity investment of
approximately $95,000 in a Japanese company ("Actuate Japan"), which
represents approximately 8.3% of the outstanding voting stock of Actuate
Japan. This investment is accounted for on the equity basis due to the
Company's ability to exercise significant influence over Actuate Japan. During
1996 and 1997 the Company loaned a total of $260,000 to Actuate Japan. At June
30, 1998, the remaining investment balance was $106,000. To date, Actuate
Japan has been primarily funded by investors other than the Company. The
Company believes that such investments will continue until the stage at which
Actuate Japan generates cash from its own operations. The Company will
continue to assess the recoverability of the remaining loan balance.
 
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
 
  As of December 31, 1997, the Company had federal net operating loss
carryforwards of approximately $14.8 million. The Company also had federal
research and development tax credit carryforwards of approximately $300,000 as
of December 31, 1997. The net operating loss and credit carryforwards will
expire beginning in 2008 through 2012, if not utilized.
 
  Utilization of the net operating loss carryforwards and research and
development tax credit carryforwards may be subject to a substantial annual
limitation due to the "change in ownership" provisions of the Internal Revenue
Code of 1986 and similar state provisions. The annual limitation may result in
the expiration of net operating losses and credits before utilization. See
Note 9 of Notes to Financial Statements.
 
                                      27
<PAGE>
 
QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
  The following tables set forth certain unaudited statement of operations
data for the six quarters ended June 30, 1998, as well as such data expressed
as a percentage of the Company's total revenues for the periods indicated.
This data has been derived from unaudited financial statements that, in the
opinion of management, include all adjustments (consisting only of normal
recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair presentation of such information
when read in conjunction with the Financial Statements and Notes thereto.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              QUARTER ENDED
                          ----------------------------------------------------------
                          MAR. 31,  JUNE 30,  SEP. 30,  DEC. 31,  MAR. 31,  JUNE 30,
                            1997      1997      1997      1997      1998      1998
                          --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
                                             (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
 DATA:
Revenues:
 License fees...........  $ 1,095   $ 1,734   $ 2,203   $ 2,510   $ 3,190   $ 3,819
 Services...............      284       332       548       812       873       881
                          -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
 Total revenues.........    1,379     2,066     2,751     3,322     4,063     4,700
                          -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
Cost of revenues:
 License fees...........      103       104       113       327       280       251
 Services...............      195       186       338       544       730       799
                          -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
 Total cost of revenues.      298       290       451       871     1,010     1,050
                          -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
Gross profit............    1,081     1,776     2,300     2,451     3,053     3,650
Operating expenses:
 Sales and marketing....    1,043     1,871     1,988     2,464     2,715     2,752
 Research and
  development...........      926     1,578     2,102     1,607     1,674     1,900
 General and
  administrative........      140       273       411       493       572       628
                          -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
 Total operating
  expenses..............    2,109     3,722     4,501     4,564     4,961     5,280
                          -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
Loss from operations....   (1,028)   (1,946)   (2,201)   (2,113)   (1,908)   (1,630)
Equity in losses of
 affiliate..............       (7)       (9)      (10)      (10)      --        --
Interest and other
 income (expense), net..       (2)       32        57        (5)       22        14
                          -------   -------   -------   -------   -------   -------
Net loss................  $(1,037)  $(1,923)  $(2,154)  $(2,128)  $(1,886)  $(1,616)
                          =======   =======   =======   =======   =======   =======
</TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              QUARTER ENDED
                          -----------------------------------------------------
                          MAR. 31, JUNE 30, SEP. 30, DEC. 31, MAR. 31, JUNE 30,
                            1997     1997     1997     1997     1998     1998
                          -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
<S>                       <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
AS A PERCENTAGE OF TOTAL
 REVENUES:
Revenues:
 License fees...........     79 %     84 %     80 %     76 %     79 %     81 %
 Services...............     21       16       20       24       21       19
                            ---      ---      ---      ---      ---      ---
 Total revenues.........    100      100      100      100      100      100
                            ---      ---      ---      ---      ---      ---
Costs of revenues:
 License fees...........      7        5        4       10        7        5
 Services...............     15        9       12       16       18       17
                            ---      ---      ---      ---      ---      ---
 Total cost of revenues.     22       14       16       26       25       22
                            ---      ---      ---      ---      ---      ---
Gross profit............     78       86       84       74       75       78
Operating expenses:
 Sales and marketing....     76       91       72       74       67       59
 Research and
  development...........     67       76       77       48       41       40
 General and
  administrative........     10       13       15       16       14       13
                            ---      ---      ---      ---      ---      ---
 Total operating
  expenses..............    153      180      164      138      122      112
                            ---      ---      ---      ---      ---      ---
Loss from operations....    (75)     (94)     (80)     (64)     (47)     (34)
Equity in losses of
 affiliate..............    --       --       --       --       --       --
Interest and other
 income (expense), net..    --         1        2      --         1      --
                            ---      ---      ---      ---      ---      ---
Net loss................    (75)%    (93)%    (78)%    (64)%    (46)%    (34)%
                            ===      ===      ===      ===      ===      ===
</TABLE>
 
 
                                      28
<PAGE>
 
  The Company's revenues have increased each consecutive quarter during the
six quarters ended June 30, 1998. Revenues from license fees increased
quarter-to-quarter primarily due to increased sales of new and existing
products to new customers and increased follow-on sales to existing customers.
Service revenues have generally increased quarter-to-quarter along with
increases in the Company's installed customer base. Cost of revenues from
license fees increased quarter to quarter with the increase in revenues from
license fees through the quarter ended September 30, 1997 and increased
substantially in absolute dollars and as a percentage of total revenues in the
quarter ended December 31, 1997, primarily due to the costs associated with
upgrading the Company's installed customer base with the release of Version
3.0 of the Actuate Reporting System. Cost of service revenues generally
increased in absolute dollars and as a percentage of total revenues quarter to
quarter primarily due to increases in customer support requirements.
 
  Sales and marketing expenses generally increased in absolute dollars quarter
to quarter primarily due to the hiring of additional sales and marketing
personnel, higher sales commissions associated with increased revenues and
increased marketing expenses. Sales and marketing expenses increased
significantly in absolute dollars and as a percentage of total revenues in the
quarter ended June 30, 1997 and in absolute dollars in the quarter ended
December 31, 1997 primarily due to increases in commissions earned in
connection with the closing of a number of large product orders in such
periods. Research and development expenses have generally increased in
absolute dollars quarter to quarter primarily due to increased personnel and
related costs associated with the development of new products, the enhancement
of existing products, quality assurance and testing. Research and development
expenses increased significantly in absolute dollars in the quarter ended
September 30, 1997 primarily due to increased third party consulting expenses
related to the release of Version 3.0 of the Actuate Reporting System in the
quarter ended December 31, 1997. General and administrative expenses increased
in absolute dollars quarter to quarter primarily due to increased personnel
and related costs and professional fees necessary to manage and support the
Company's growth and facilities expansion.
 
  The Company's limited operating history and the susceptibility of the
Company's operating results to significant fluctuations makes any prediction
of future operating results unreliable. In addition, the Company believes that
period-to-period comparisons of its operating results are not necessarily
meaningful and should not be relied upon as indications of future performance.
The Company's operating results have in the past, and may in the future, vary
significantly due to factors such as demand for the Company's products, the
size and timing of significant orders and their fulfillment, sales cycles of
the Company's indirect channel partners, product life cycles, changes in
pricing policies by the Company or its competitors, changes in the Company's
level of operating expenses and its ability to control costs, budgeting cycles
of its customers, software defects and other product quality problems, hiring
needs and personnel changes, the pace of international expansion, changes in
the Company's sales incentive plans, continued successful relationships and
the establishment of new relationships with enterprise application vendors,
the impact of consolidation by competitors and indirect channel partners, and
general domestic and international economic and political conditions. In
addition, the Company may, in the future, experience fluctuations in its gross
and operating margins due to changes in the mix of domestic and international
revenues, and changes in the mix of direct sales and indirect sales, as well
as changes in the mix among the indirect channels through which the Company's
products are offered.
 
  A significant portion of the Company's total revenues in any given quarter
are derived from existing customers. The Company's future profitability is
substantially dependent upon the Company's ability to increase revenues from
license fees and services from existing customers, to increase the quotas of
its sales employees, to have such employees achieve or exceed such quotas and
to increase the average size of its orders. To the extent that such increases
do not occur in a timely manner, the Company's business, operating results and
financial condition would be materially
 
                                      29
<PAGE>
 
adversely affected. Because its software products are typically shipped
shortly after orders are received, revenues in any quarter are substantially
dependent on orders booked and shipped throughout that quarter. Accordingly,
revenues for any future quarter are difficult to predict. Revenues from
license fees are also difficult to forecast because the market for enterprise
reporting is rapidly evolving, and because the sales cycle for the Company's
products varies substantially from customer to customer and by distribution
channel and may increase in the future. The Company's expense levels and plans
for expansion, including its plan to significantly increase its sales and
marketing and research and development efforts, are based in significant part
on the Company's expectations of future revenues and are relatively fixed in
the short-term. The Company may be unable to adjust spending in a timely
manner to compensate for any unexpected revenue shortfall. Consequently, if
total revenue levels are below expectations, the Company's business, operating
results and financial condition are likely to be adversely and
disproportionately affected.
 
  Based upon all of the factors described above, the Company has limited
ability to forecast future revenues and expenses, and it is likely that in
some future quarter the Company's operating results will be below the
expectations of public market analysts and investors. In the event that
operating results are below expectations, or in the event that adverse
conditions prevail or are perceived to prevail generally or with respect to
the Company's business, the price of the Company's Common Stock would be
materially adversely affected.
 
YEAR 2000 COMPLIANCE
 
  Many currently installed computer systems and software products are coded to
accept only two digit entries in the date code field. Beginning in the year
2000, these date code fields will need to accept four digit entries in order
to distinguish 21st century dates from 20th century dates. As a result, in
less than two years, computer systems and/or software used by many companies
will need to be upgraded to comply with "Year 2000" requirements. Significant
uncertainty exists in the software industry concerning the potential effects
associated with such compliance issues. Although the Company believes that its
products are Year 2000 compliant, there can be no assurance that Year 2000
errors or defects will not be discovered in the Company's current and future
products. Any failure by the Company to make its products Year 2000 compliant
could result in a decrease in sales of the Company's products, an increase in
the allocation of resources to address Year 2000 problems of the Company's
customers without additional revenue commensurate with such dedication of
resources, or an increase in litigation costs relating to losses suffered by
the Company's customers due to such Year 2000 problems. In addition, the
Company believes that the purchasing patterns of customers and potential
customers may be impacted by Year 2000 issues. Further, many companies are
expending significant resources to correct or patch their current software
systems. These expenditures of funds may result in reduced funds available to
purchase software products such as those offered by the Company. The
occurrence of any of such events could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, results of operations or financial condition.
Additionally, to the extent the Company's products are embedded with other
companies' products that are not Year 2000 compliant, the Company's reputation
in the marketplace and indirect sales of its products by the Company's
indirect channel partners could be adversely affected, both of which could
result in a material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating
results and financial condition. The Company has conducted a preliminary
review of its internal computer systems to identify the systems that could be
affected by the Year 2000 issue and to develop a plan to resolve the issue.
Based on this preliminary review, the Company currently has no reason to
believe that its internal software systems are not Year 2000 compliant.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
  Since inception, the Company has funded its operations primarily through
cash from operations and approximately $14.3 million in net proceeds from the
private sales of preferred stock. Net cash
 
                                      30
<PAGE>
 
used in operating activities was approximately $3.9 million, $2.8 million and
$1.7 million in 1996, 1997 and the six months ended June 30, 1998,
respectively.
 
  As of June 30, 1998, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $1.0
million. In addition, in May 1998, the Company obtained a bank line of credit
which provides for up to $5.0 million in borrowings. The Company can borrow up
to 80% of eligible accounts receivable against the line of credit. The
interest rate on borrowed amounts is the prime rate plus 2.25%. This line of
credit requires the Company to comply with various financial covenants, is
prohibited from paying dividends and the Company must deposit $3.0 million of
the proceeds of this offering with the lender through May 25, 1999, the
maturity date of the line of credit. The line of credit expires in May 1999.
The Company currently has no borrowings under the line of credit. See Note 10
of Notes to Financial Statements.
 
  Net cash used in investing activities was $379,000, $1.3 million and
$261,000 in 1996, 1997 and the six months ended June 30, 1998, respectively,
and primarily consisted of purchases of equipment, partially offset by
proceeds from the maturity of short-term investments. The Company expects that
its capital expenditures will continue to increase as the Company's employee
base grows.
 
  Net cash provided by financing activities was approximately $4.1 million and
$6.0 million in 1996 and 1997, respectively, consisting primarily of net
proceeds from private sales of preferred stock and interest earned on such
proceeds. Net cash used in financing activities was $46,000 for the six months
ended June 30, 1998.
 
  The Company believes that the net proceeds from the offering, any cash
generated from operating activities and its existing cash and cash equivalents
will be adequate to meet its cash needs for at least the next 12 months.
Thereafter, the Company may require additional funds to support its working
capital requirements or for other purposes and may seek to raise such
additional funds through public or private equity financing or from other
sources. There can be no assurance the Company will not require additional
funds prior to the expiration of such twelve month period or that additional
financing will be available when needed by the Company or at all or that, if
available, such financing will be obtainable on terms favorable to the Company
or will not be dilutive.
 
NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
 
  See Note 1 of Notes to Financial Statements for recently adopted and
recently issued accounting standards.
 
                                      31
<PAGE>
 
                                   BUSINESS
 
  The following description of the Company's business should be read in
conjunction with the information included elsewhere in this Prospectus. This
description contains certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and
uncertainties. The Company's actual results could differ significantly from
the results discussed in the forward-looking statements as a result of certain
of the factors set forth in "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
OVERVIEW
 
  Actuate Software Corporation is a leading provider of enterprise reporting
solutions that enable organizations to systematically extract, publish and
disseminate information across distributed computing environments. The Company
develops and markets software products that are designed to allow companies to
rapidly design, generate and distribute corporate reports throughout the
enterprise, thereby increasing access to and the value of corporate data.
 
  The Actuate Reporting System is a scalable, dynamic reporting platform which
is designed to allow organizations to replace traditional paper-based and on-
line reports with Live Report Documents. Live Report Documents feature rich
interactive capabilities, including hyperlinks, context-sensitive help, a
dynamic table of contents, and a report query feature. Architected
specifically to leverage the functionality of the Internet, the Actuate
Reporting System is designed to make reports accessible to an organization's
employees, customers and suppliers via corporate intranets and the Internet.
Actuate's ReportCast technology can be integrated with Internet or intranet
web sites, making it easier for organizations to notify users when corporate
information is available. The Actuate Reporting System also facilitates off-
line analysis of reports.
 
  The Actuate Reporting System's server-centric architecture provides the
building blocks for an enterprise reporting environment of any size. Actuate's
open environment allows developers to create reports from virtually any data
source and in virtually any format required by end-users. The Actuate Report
Encyclopedia acts as a repository for reports and report components. Actuate's
Virtual Report Distribution technology reduces network traffic by minimizing
the movement of large reports and data sets. The Actuate Developer Workbench
is designed to give developers a complete visual environment for designing,
compiling, viewing and debugging sophisticated report designs. The Company
began shipping its Actuate Reporting System in January 1996, and the Company's
most recent version of the Actuate Reporting System, Version 3.1, began
shipping in May 1998.
 
  Actuate's products have been adopted in a wide variety of industries,
including financial services, telecommunications, technology, health care and
others. The Company's customers include companies such as Chase Manhattan
Corp., Concert Communications Company, Inc., Manpower International, Merck &
Co, Inc. and Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc. The Company has also established
strategic relationships with a number of enterprise application vendors,
including PeopleSoft, Inc. ("PeopleSoft), Siebel Systems Corp. ("Siebel"), and
The Vantive Corp. ("Vantive"), all of which embed the Company's products as
part of, or as their entire standard reporting solution. Each of such
customers and enterprise application vendors have purchased more than $100,000
in license and services fees from the Company since January 1996.
 
INDUSTRY BACKGROUND
 
  To succeed in today's increasingly competitive markets, businesses must
accelerate the rate at which they identify and respond to changing business
conditions. An organization's success is, to a large extent, dependent upon
its ability to rapidly collect, organize and distribute information to make
effective business decisions. Reports are the primary means in virtually all
organizations by which critical business information is distributed and used
by employees, customers and suppliers. Examples of such reports include income
statements, budgets, sales forecasts, invoices, inventory listings, payroll
reports, portfolio statements and packing slips. Other products such as OLAP
and query tools generally serve as supplements to core reporting systems and
are only utilized by a small number of users for very distinct and specialized
data analysis.
 
                                      32
<PAGE>
 
  Historically, most reports have been paper-based, designed using legacy
computer languages such as COBOL and typically delivered to users through
physical means such as hand carts, inter-office mail and the postal service.
However, over the past decade, there has been a dramatic migration of critical
corporate information from mainframe computer systems to distributed computing
environments. This shift has been driven largely by the widespread emergence
and adoption of enterprise software applications, data warehouses, corporate
intranets and the Internet. As a result, organizations have had to reconsider
the way they generate and distribute reports.
 
  One of the most significant computing trends of the 1990's has been the
migration of enterprise applications from legacy mainframe systems to
distributed computing environments. IDC estimates that organizations will have
spent over $28 billion between 1995 and 1998 on the purchase of such
enterprise applications from vendors such as SAP, PeopleSoft, and Baan Company
N.V. ("Baan") in addition to corporate expenditures on the internal
development and implementation of specialized client/server applications.
Also, the rapid adoption of new applications for enterprise resource planning,
sales force automation and supply chain management is giving rise to new and
valuable types of enterprise data, and is enabling new classes of users, such
as sales and customer service representatives, to access such data. While many
of these purchased applications include basic reporting functionality, they
generally do not adequately satisfy an enterprise's reporting needs, causing
the vendors of these applications to develop or license new enterprise
reporting functionality. Additionally, internally developed applications
require organizations to either develop or purchase enterprise reporting
functionality.
 
  Organizations are also increasingly extracting information from mainframe
and other data stores and moving the information into new, high performance
data warehouses and data marts in order to improve information access and
distribution. In order to capitalize on the collection of this information and
enable users to make better business decisions, enterprises require reporting
applications that draw from these new data stores and distribute the
information flexibly and efficiently to a large number of users.
 
  The growth in the use of the Internet and corporate intranets is changing
the way organizations generate and distribute reports. Organizations can now
distribute information electronically to multiple end users both within and
outside an organization, thereby increasing efficiency and reducing the need
for paper-based reports. In order to accomplish this, many organizations are
creating entirely new reporting applications which enable distribution of
reports using the World Wide Web. In addition, the emergence of the Internet
and corporate intranets has given rise to a new information viewing paradigm
characterized by searchable, browsable, interactive content.
 
  Due to this fundamental shift in the way corporations store and manage data,
IT departments are now faced with the challenge of providing users with secure
access to business information residing in a broad range of distributed and
fragmented systems. The Company believes traditional reporting methods have
not kept pace with the technological advancements in application software and
relational databases. As a result, it has been extremely difficult for
businesses to report information from these systems efficiently, uniformly and
securely across a single platform to users within and outside of the
organization.
 
  To date, large organizations have generally used two types of reporting
solutions to meet their needs in a distributed computing environment:
production reporting and desktop reporting. Production reporting systems are
used to produce high-volume operational reports such as sales bookings,
inventory level analysis, invoices and financial information. These systems
typically produce static paper-based reports that are cumbersome and
inflexible in that they provide information to end users in a predetermined
format. Additionally, these production reporting systems are generally based
on programming languages that are outdated and difficult for developers to
work with. Desktop reporting products are used for the ad hoc creation of
individual reports such as sorted listings, simple graphs
 
                                      33
<PAGE>
 
and summaries for small workgroups of end users. These tools enable end users
to analyze data and produce certain customized reports, but are limited in
their ability to access the full breadth of an organization's operational
information, are unsuited to producing high-volume operational reports and
require extensive end user training. Furthermore, production and desktop
reporting tools generally lack administration capabilities such as scheduling
and distribution management, which forces corporate IT departments to use
their limited resources to create solutions for these needs.
 
  Due to the shortcomings of traditional reporting methods, the Company
believes that there is a need for a reporting solution that allows
organizations to use a single reporting infrastructure to systematically
extract, publish and disseminate information from distributed computing
environments. IDC estimates the market for enterprise reporting solutions such
as those offered by the Company will grow to over $900 million by the year
2002.
 
THE ACTUATE SOLUTION
 
  The Actuate Reporting System is a scalable, dynamic enterprise reporting
solution which is designed to allow organizations to effectively develop,
generate and distribute reports throughout the enterprise in both
client/server and Internet-enabled environments. The Company's products are
designed to be easily and rapidly implemented, to generate and distribute
thousands of reports to thousands of users via networks or the Internet, and
to enable the Company's customers to leverage their existing hardware and
software investments. The Company believes the Actuate Reporting System
provides the following key advantages:
 
  LIVE REPORT DOCUMENTS. The Actuate Reporting System enables organizations to
replace traditional paper-based and on-line reports with Live Report
Documents. Live Report Documents feature rich interactive capabilities
including: (i) hyperlinks, which permit the user to drill-down to detailed
information within the report or link to other reports, (ii) context-sensitive
help, which allows the user to access information about the report itself,
including field definitions and data sources, (iii) a dynamic, self-
documenting table of contents, which automatically reflects changes in the
document and enables one-click access to particular pages within large
reports, and (iv) a report query feature, which allows users to extract data
from the report and transfer it to other applications for further analysis or
formatting. The Actuate Reporting System also facilitates mobile, off-line
analysis of reports.
 
  ADAPTABLE ENVIRONMENT. The Actuate Reporting System is based on an object-
oriented architecture that is designed to give developers a complete visual
environment for structuring, compiling, viewing and debugging sophisticated
report designs. Actuate's open environment allows developers to create reports
from virtually any data source and in virtually any format required by users.
Actuate's component-based architecture enables developers to build reports by
dragging and dropping standard components that can be customized and stored in
libraries for reuse.
 
  SCALABLE ENVIRONMENT. The Actuate Reporting System's server-centric
architecture provides the building blocks for an enterprise architecture of
any size. The Actuate Report Encyclopedia acts as a repository for reports and
report components. Actuate's Virtual Report Distribution technology reduces
the need to transmit large reports and data sets by storing reports on the
servers themselves and sending one or more pages to the client over a network
or the Internet as demanded. This distribution scheme is designed to minimize
the stress on an enterprise's computer network, while providing a responsive
viewing environment. The Actuate Reporting System is also scalable to meet
customers' enterprise reporting needs as their organizations and user
populations grow. The Actuate Report Server also enables administrators to
centrally control and schedule the distribution of both electronic and printed
reports and maintain security access privileges.
 
                                      34
<PAGE>
 
  INTERNET ARCHITECTURE. Architected specifically to leverage the
functionality of the Internet, the Actuate Reporting System is designed to
make reports accessible to an enterprise's employees, customers and suppliers
via corporate intranets and the Internet. Actuate's ReportCast technology can
be integrated with Internet or intranet web sites, making it easier for
enterprises to notify users via the World Wide Web when corporate information
becomes available. Using a Web browser, users can subscribe to ReportCast
channels that contain the specific categories of reports which are of interest
to them. Notices about new reports are pushed to the channel and customizable
headlines identify the subject matter of the report.
 
STRATEGY
 
  The Company's strategy is to be the leading provider of enterprise reporting
solutions. Key elements of the Company's strategy include:
 
  EXPAND MARKET LEADERSHIP POSITION THROUGH STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIPS. The
Company believes that it has established a leading position in the emerging
market for enterprise reporting solutions. To accelerate the adoption of the
Actuate Reporting System as the standard enterprise reporting solution and to
facilitate enterprise-wide acceptance of the Company's products, the Company
has established strategic relationships with enterprise application vendors,
consulting firms, systems integrators and development partners. The Company's
strategic technology and distribution partners include Ascend Communications,
Inc., Brio Technology, Inc., Cambridge Technology Partners, Inc., Netscape
Communications Corp., PeopleSoft, PointCast, Inc., Siebel and Vantive. The
Company believes that brand recognition is significant to its business
success, and virtually all of its application partners and resellers use the
Actuate brand name in conjunction with their applications. The Company intends
to further develop its existing strategic relationships and enter into new
partnerships to expand its market presence and brand recognition.
 
  EXTEND TECHNOLOGY LEADERSHIP. Since inception, the Company has focused its
research and development efforts on developing core technologies that address
the requirements of enterprise reporting, such as the ability to generate and
run thousands of reports containing large amounts of data. The Company's
products integrate a number of advanced technologies, including a patented
method of storing report objects, a multi-tier architecture and Web access and
delivery technology. In addition, the Company has in the past rapidly
incorporated new technology into its product offerings. For example, the
Company anticipates releasing advanced viewing technology incorporating Java,
DHTML and XML in early 1999. The Company believes it is a leader in enterprise
reporting technology and intends to extend this leadership position by
continuing to devote significant resources to research and development
efforts, and by acquiring and integrating complementary technologies.
 
  BROADEN DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS. To date, the Company has sold through its
direct sales force located in the United States and has sold worldwide through
enterprise application vendors, resellers and distributors. The Company
intends to expand its direct sales force and tele-sales capability. In
addition, the Company intends to continue to leverage and grow its existing
network of enterprise application vendors, resellers and distributors and
expand its indirect distribution channel worldwide.
 
  INCREASE INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE. While to date its international sales have
been limited, the Company plans to increase its international presence.
Outside the United States, the Company has established distributor
relationships in the France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, the Philippines,
Singapore, South Africa and the United Kingdom, and has localized versions of
its products in French, German, and Japanese. The Company intends to expand
its international sales capabilities by expanding its distribution channels in
Europe, Asia/Pacific and Latin America and by continuing the localization of
its products in selected markets.
 
                                      35
<PAGE>
 
PRODUCTS AND TECHNOLOGY
 
  The Actuate Reporting System is a fully integrated, enterprise reporting
software system that provides an organization with a single reporting
infrastructure across distributed computing environments and the Internet. The
Actuate Reporting System is comprised of a suite of products that are licensed
by customers in a typical configuration consisting of a report server, web
agent, administrator desktop, developer workbench, viewer and live report
extension. In the case of direct sales to end user customers, the Company's
client products are typically priced on a per user basis, the report server is
priced on a per CPU basis and number of users basis and the web agent is
priced on a per server basis. Indirect sales are usually either fixed price,
unlimited usage arrangements or arrangements where royalties are paid to the
Company based on sell through to end-users. The Company's enterprise reporting
solution includes the following server, client and web products which allow
organizations to bring together all their business information into one
resource that can report such information to users across the enterprise.
 
  The following table sets forth the suite of products that comprise the
Actuate Reporting System:
 
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ACTUATE
SERVER
PRODUCTS                     PRODUCT DESCRIPTION                     PLATFORMS
- --------       ------------------------------------------------ --------------------
<S>            <C>                                              <C>
Actuate        Highly scalable server application used for      Windows NT 3.51, 4.0
 Report        generating, distributing and managing Live       Solaris 2.4, 2.5
 Server        Report Documents                                 HP-UX 10.1, 10.2
                                                                AIX 4.1, 4.2
<CAPTION>
ACTUATE
CLIENT
PRODUCTS
- --------
<S>            <C>                                              <C>
Actuate        Visual object-oriented development tool utilized Windows NT 3.51, 4.0
Developer      by developers to provide an open development     Windows 95
Workbench      environment for designing, compiling, viewing
               and debugging report designs
Actuate End    Client application which gives business users    Windows 3.X
User           the ability to schedule, request, generate, view Windows NT 3.51, 4.0
Desktop        and print Live Report Documents                  Windows 95
Actuate        Client application which allows administrators   Windows NT 3.51, 4.0
Administrator  to manage and control one or more Actuate Report Windows 95
Desktop        Servers
Actuate        Client interface which allows users to view and  Windows 3.X
Viewer         print Live Report Documents on LAN attached      Windows NT 3.51, 4.0
               clients                                          Windows 95
Actuate        A toolkit for developers which contains Actuate  Windows NT 3.51, 4.0
Software       Viewer Active X Control and the Actuate End User Windows 95
Development    Desktop Active X controls as well as various
Kit            Actuate API's for use with programming
               environments such as Visual Basic and C++
               applications
<CAPTION>
ACTUATE WEB
PRODUCTS
- -----------
<S>            <C>                                              <C>
Actuate Web    Server software which enables the Actuate Report Windows NT 4.0
Agent          Server to provide secure web access to Live      Solaris 2.4, 2.5
               Report Documents and integrate with other web    HP-UX 10.1, 10.2
               sites                                            AIX 4.1, 4.2
Actuate Live   Browser extension which allows users to view and Windows NT 4.0
Report         print Live Report Documents through Netscape     Windows 95
Extension      Navigator and Microsoft Internet Explorer
</TABLE>
 
 
                                      36
<PAGE>
 
  The Company's products provide native and ODBC connectivity to a number of
data sources, including relational database management systems from Oracle,
IBM, Microsoft, Sybase, Informix and Progress.
 
CUSTOMERS
 
  The following is a representative list of the Company's end-user customers,
enterprise application vendors and resellers that have purchased more than
$100,000 in license and services fees from the Company since January 1996:
 
                                       OTHER
FINANCIAL SERVICES                     Cargill Incorporated
American International Group           Commonwealth of Massachusetts,
Chase Manhattan Corp.                   Department of Transitional Assistance
Freddie Mac                            FirstEnergy Corporation
The Goldman Sachs Group, L.P.          Manpower International
J&H Marsh & McLennan, Limited          Merck & Co., Inc.
NationsBanc Montgomery Securities LLC  Sterling Software, Inc.
Northern Trust Company                 Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.
 
 
TELECOMMUNICATIONS                     ENTERPRISE APPLICATION
Ascend Communications, Inc.            VENDORS/RESELLERS
Concert Communications Company, Inc.   Agile Software, Inc.
Glenayre Electronics, Inc.             Ariba Technologies, Inc.
LCI International, Inc.                Clarify, Inc.
US West, Inc.                          INEA Corporation
                                       Netscape Communications Corp.
                                       PeopleSoft, Inc.
                                       Portal Software, Inc.
                                       Prism Solutions, Inc.
                                       Progress Software Corp.
                                       Siebel Systems Corp.
                                       The Vantive Corp.
 
CASE STUDIES
 
  The following case studies illustrate how the Actuate Reporting System has
been utilized by certain of the Company's end user customer and enterprise
application vendors. Each of the following customers and enterprise
application vendors have purchased more than $100,000 in license and services
fees from the Company since January 1996.
 
 CONCERT
 
  Concert Communications Company, Inc., ("Concert"), the combined company
resulting from the merger of British Telecom and MCI, provides advanced
communication services worldwide. As a result of the joint venture, Concert
was required to integrate data from more than 30 distinct data sources
existing between the two companies and their distributors. In addition,
Concert needed to offer over 40 international distributors and its nearly
3,900 customers located in over 50 countries efficient and timely access to
information concerning Concert's products and services. Concert chose the
Actuate Reporting System because of its scalable architecture for report
creation and distribution, and its ability to integrate data from multiple
sources into active, intelligent reports. The flexibility of the Actuate
Reporting System has enabled it to be seamlessly integrated into Concert's
existing architecture while providing the scalability required to meet the
extremely demanding reporting requirements of this global telecommunications
company and its distributors. Concert relies on the Actuate Reporting System
to generate hundreds of reports a day from a large and complex data warehouse
and distribute
 
                                      37
<PAGE>
 
this information globally to distributors and customers in over 40 countries.
In addition, Actuate's products assist Concert in meeting its distributors'
reporting needs, including timely access to mission critical reports on
service management, traffic performance and revenue. With minimal training
required on the part of Concert distributors, Actuate's web-based reports can
easily be fully utilized by all participating distributors around the world.
 
GLENAYRE
 
  Glenayre Electronics, Inc. ("Glenayre"), a leading worldwide supplier of
personal telecommunications equipment and software, required a fast and
efficient solution for managing customer information. Before it purchased the
Actuate Reporting System, Glenayre generated nearly 5,000 reports a year, with
two employees spending several days each month manually formatting the data
for inclusion in reports. Glenayre chose the Actuate Reporting System because
of its highly scalable enterprise reporting capabilities, formatting
flexibility and adaptable report capabilities. The Actuate Reporting System
enables users ranging from Glenayre's executives to customer service managers
to extract required data such as call duration and call closure rates, as well
as run ad-hoc reports with limited assistance from Glenayre's IS group. The
Actuate Reporting System's flexibility has significantly reduced the number of
reports that are maintained by Glenayre's IS group. In addition, reports are
now automatically generated and Glenayre employees and customers receive more
information specifically targeted to their individual needs.
 
J&H MARSH & MCLENNAN
 
  J&H Marsh & McLennan, Limited ("J&H Marsh & McLennan"), a leading provider
of risk and insurance services, selected the Actuate Reporting System to
implement operational reports for various aspects of its business, including
client/prospect management, back office financials, insurance placement and
claims processing. Users can view either pre-scheduled or on-demand reports
through both client/server and web-based clients. The functionality of the
Actuate Reporting System has been extended to meet J&H Marsh & McLennan's
specific requirements, including a customized report scheduler and a Java
applet which provides an enhanced user interface for users who request reports
over the Web.
 
 PEOPLESOFT
 
  PeopleSoft, a leading provider of enterprise software supporting human
resources, financial and manufacturing applications, required an enterprise
reporting application to enable its customers to efficiently and securely
distribute reports via the Internet. PeopleSoft chose the Actuate Reporting
System for, among a number of other reasons, its Virtual Report Distribution
architecture, which gives users viewing reports a rapid response regardless of
the length of the report or how much data it summarizes. PeopleSoft also chose
the Actuate Reporting System for its extensible development environment that
enables reports to be built from libraries of reusable objects. PeopleSoft
Performance Measurement is the first PeopleSoft application to take advantage
of Actuate's reporting capabilities.
 
 SIEBEL
 
  Siebel, a leading supplier of enterprise-class sales, marketing, and
customer service information systems, sought an enterprise reporting
application that would provide its customers with an interactive, easy-to-use,
and highly scalable enterprise reporting solution. Siebel chose the Actuate
Reporting System because it can be fully customized to conform with Siebel
98's user interface. The Actuate Reporting System functions essentially as an
extension of Siebel 98, thus creating a seamless solution to the end user.
Since Actuate is tightly integrated with Siebel, all security and application
logic built into Siebel is automatically leveraged and utilized by Actuate. In
addition, corporate modification of the Siebel data model is automatically
propagated to the Actuate Reporting System, enabling Siebel
 
                                      38
<PAGE>
 
customers to readily create reports that reflect their individual business
environments. Over 80 pre-built Actuate business reports are included with
Siebel 98, offering customers immediate access to sales, marketing and
customer information.
 
SALES, MARKETING AND SERVICES
 
 SALES
 
  The Company sells software products through two primary means: (i) directly
to end user customers through its direct sales force and (ii) through indirect
channel partners such as enterprise application vendors, resellers and
distributors.
 
  The direct sales process involves the generation of sales leads through
direct mail, seminars and telemarketing. The Company's field sales force
typically conducts demonstrations and presentations of the Company's products
to developers and management at customer sites as part of the direct sales
effort.
 
  The Company has a separate sales force which addresses the enterprise
application vendor market including such vendors as PeopleSoft, Siebel and
Vantive. These vendors integrate the Company's products with their
applications and either embed them into their standard products or resell them
to their customers. The enterprise application vendor's end user customer is
licensed to use the Company's products solely in conjunction with the vendor's
application with which the Actuate Reporting System is integrated. The Company
offers an upgrade license to end user customers, which permits them to create
reports outside the scope of the particular vendor application. In all of its
current relationships, the Company's products are identified by brand name to
the end customer. Enterprise application vendors provide the first level of
post-sales support to customers. The Company has also utilized a limited
number of resellers which re-market the Company's products to their customer
base. Resellers are offered discounts on the Company's products and sell a
full use license of the product. The Company's resellers do not provide post-
sales support. The Company's ability to achieve revenue growth in the future
will depend in large part on its success in expanding its direct sales force
and in further establishing and maintaining relationships with enterprise
application vendors, resellers and distributors. See "Risk Factors--Expanding
Distribution Channels and Reliance on Third Parties".
 
  Sales cycles for direct sales of the Company's software products to end-user
customers have historically been between three and six months. Large-scale
deployment of the Company's products generally extends for six to nine months
following the successful completion of an initial implementation. Sales cycles
for sales of the Company's products to enterprise application vendors range
from 6 to 24 months or more (not including the sales and implementation cycles
of such vendors' own products, which cycles may be significantly longer than
the Company's sales and implementation cycles). There can be no assurance the
Company or its indirect channel partners will not experience longer sales
cycles in the future. See "Risk Factors--Lengthy and Variable Sales Cycles".
 
 MARKETING
 
  The Company is focused on building market awareness and acceptance of the
Company and its products as well as on developing strategic marketing and
distribution relationships. The Company has a comprehensive marketing strategy
with several key components: image and awareness building, direct marketing to
both prospective and existing customers, a strong Web presence, as well as
broad-scale marketing programs in conjunction with key partners. The Company's
corporate marketing strategy includes extensive public relations activities,
trade shows and user group meetings, as well as programs to work closely with
analysts and other influential third parties. The Company's direct marketing
activities include participation in selected trade shows and conferences and
targeted ongoing direct mail efforts to existing and prospective customers.
The Company also offers seminars
 
                                      39
<PAGE>
 
to educate prospective customers about the Company's enterprise reporting
solution. The Company has effectively used Web-based marketing to generate new
leads for the Company's direct sales force. Finally, the Company has invested
in building a partner and channel marketing function to conduct cooperative
marketing programs with the Company's technology partners.
 
 SERVICES
 
  The Company actively recruits and trains third party consulting firms to
provide training and implementation services for the Company's products. Some
of these consulting firms include Cambridge Technology Partners, Inc.,
Enterprise Reporting Group, Compuware Corporation, NetBase Computing,
Benchmark Technical Services and Open Software Technology. The Company's
internal expert services group provides high value "technology transfer"
consulting services to customers developing and deploying an enterprise
reporting solution with the Company's products. These services include
methodology, training, application integration and performance evaluation. Due
to the critical nature of enterprise reporting, the Company believes that its
expert services group and relationships with its consulting partners play a
key role in facilitating initial license sales and enabling customers to
successfully develop and deploy the Actuate Reporting System.
 
 INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTORS
 
  The Company also sells its products world-wide through distributors located
in France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Singapore, South
Africa and the United Kingdom. The Company's distributors perform some or all
of the following functions: sales and marketing, systems integration, software
development, and ongoing consulting training and customer support. In exchange
for providing such services, the Company offers its distributors discounts on
products. The Company has an agreement with the parent company of its
international distributors located in France, Germany and the United Kingdom
that could result in the Company acquiring such distributors. Under the terms
of the agreement, the Company has the right of first refusal with respect to
the proposed sale of the capital stock of such distributors. In the event the
Company does not exercise its right of first refusal the distributors would
obtain, in addition to other rights, an exclusive, royalty free license to
sell the Company's products in their respective territories. Also under the
terms of the agreement, the Company has the right to increase the royalty it
receives for Actuate product sales from these European distributors to 100%.
In such event, the distributors' parent company would have the right to sell
its capital stock to the Company. Under either scenario, the price the Company
would be required to pay for such capital stock is set forth in the agreement.
In addition, the Company also has an agreement with its Japanese distributor
that could result in the Company acquiring such distributor. Under the terms
of this agreement, the Company has the right to acquire from the stockholders
of the Japanese distributor and such stockholders have the right to have the
Company acquire from them, the outstanding capital stock of the Japanese
distributor. The price to be paid by the Company for such stock is set forth
in the agreement. In the event the Company acquires any of the distributors
upon the conditions described above, there can be no assurance that such
acquisition will be successful. If such acquisition is not successful, the
Company's business, operating results and financial condition could be
materially adversely affected. There are certain risks associated with
international sales, including, but not limited to, costs of localizing
products for foreign countries, trade laws and business practices favoring
local competition, dependence on local vendors, compliance with multiple,
conflicting and changing government laws and regulations, longer sales and
payment cycles, import and export restrictions and tariffs, difficulties in
staffing and managing foreign operations, greater difficulty or delay in
accounts receivable collection, foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations,
multiple and conflicting tax laws and regulations and political and economic
instability, including recent economic conditions in Asia. There are also
certain risks associated with the Company's potential acquisition of certain
distributors, including diversion of management attention, integration costs,
the coordination of sales and marketing efforts, regulation by foreign
government and adverse accounting treatment of such acquisitions. See "Risk
Factors--Failure to Expand and Risks Associated with International Sales and
 
                                      40
<PAGE>
 
Operations", "--Risks Associated with Potential Acquisitions of Certain
International Distributors" and "Certain Transactions".
 
CUSTOMER AND TECHNICAL SUPPORT
 
  The Company believes that providing superior customer service is critical to
the successful sale and marketing of its products. Maintenance and support
contracts, which are typically for 12 months, are offered with the initial
license, may be renewed annually and are typically set at a percentage of the
total license fees. Substantially all of the Company's direct sales to
customers have maintenance and support contracts that entitle the customer to
software patches, updates and upgrades at no additional cost and technical
phone support when available. Customers purchasing maintenance are able to
access support, via email and telephone during normal business hours. The
Company supplements its telephone support with Web-based support services,
including access to FAQs, on line web forums and a software patch download
area. To improve access to its explanatory materials, the Company provides on-
line documentation with all of its products. In addition, the Company offers,
primarily through certified training partners, classes and training programs
for its products.
 
RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
 
  The Company's research and development organization is divided into teams
consisting of development engineers, product managers, quality assurance
engineers and technical writers. The research and development organization
uses a phase-oriented development process which includes monitoring of
quality, schedule and functionality. Product development is based on a
consolidation of the requirements from existing customers, technical support
and product managers. The development group infrastructure provides a full
suite of documentation, quality assurance, delivery and support capabilities
(in addition to its design and implementation functions) for the Company's
products. Research and development expenses were $6.2 million for the 12
months ended December 31, 1997 and $3.6 million for the six months ended June
30, 1998. The Company intends to continue to make substantial investments in
research and development and related activities to maintain and enhance its
product lines. The Company believes that its future success will depend in
large part on its ability to support current and future releases of popular
operating systems, databases and enterprise software applications, to maintain
and improve its current product line and to timely develop new products that
achieve market acceptance. Any failure by the Company to do so would have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business, operating results and
financial condition. See "Risk Factors--Rapid Technological Change and
Dependence on Product Development".
 
COMPETITION
 
  The market in which the Company competes is intensely competitive and
characterized by rapidly changing technology and evolving standards.
Competition for the Company's products comes in four principal forms: (i)
direct competition from current or future vendors of reporting solutions such
as Seagate Software, Inc. (a division of Seagate Technology, Inc.) and SQRIBE
Technologies, Inc.; (ii) indirect competition from vendors of OLAP and query
tools such as Arbor Software Corp., Business Objects S.A., Cognos, Inc. and
Microsoft that integrate reporting functionality with such tools; (iii)
indirect competition from enterprise application vendors such as SAP and
Oracle, to the extent they include reporting functionality in their
applications, and (iv) competition from the information systems departments of
current or potential customers that may develop reporting solutions internally
which may be cheaper and more customized. Many of the Company's current and
potential competitors have significantly greater financial, technical,
marketing and other resources than the Company. Such competitors may be able
to respond more quickly to new or emerging technologies and changes in
customer requirements or devote greater resources to the development,
promotion and sales of their products than the Company. Also, most current and
potential competitors, including companies such as Oracle and Microsoft, have
greater name recognition and the ability to leverage significant installed
 
                                      41
<PAGE>
 
customer bases. These companies could integrate competing enterprise reporting
software with their widely accepted products which would result in a loss of
market share for the Company. The Company expects additional competition as
other established and emerging companies enter into the enterprise reporting
software market and new products and technologies are introduced. Increased
competition could result in price reductions, fewer customer orders, reduced
gross margins, longer sales cycles and loss of market share, any of which
would materially adversely affect the Company's business, operating results
and financial condition.
 
  Current and potential competitors may make strategic acquisitions or
establish cooperative relationships among themselves or with third parties,
thereby increasing their ability to address the needs of the Company's
prospective customers. The Company's current or future enterprise application
vendors and other indirect channel partners have in the past, or may in the
future, establish cooperative relationships with current or potential
competitors of the Company, thereby limiting the Company's ability to sell its
products through particular distribution channels. Accordingly, it is possible
that new competitors or alliances among current and new competitors may emerge
and rapidly gain significant market share. Such competition could materially
adversely affect the Company's ability to obtain revenues from license fees
from new or existing customers, and service revenues from existing customers
on terms favorable to the Company. Further, competitive pressures may require
the Company to reduce the price of its software. In either case, the Company's
business, financial condition, and operating results would be materially
adversely affected. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to
compete successfully against current and future competitors, and the failure
to do so would have a material adverse effect upon the Company's business,
operating results and financial condition.
 
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS
 
  The Company has one issued U.S. patent and one U.S. patent pending and
relies primarily on a combination of copyright and trademark laws, trade
secrets, confidentiality procedures and contractual provisions to protect its
proprietary technology. For example, the Company licenses its software
pursuant to shrinkwrap or signed license agreements, which impose certain
restrictions on licensees' ability to utilize the software. In addition, the
Company seeks to avoid disclosure of its intellectual property, including
requiring those persons with access to the Company's proprietary information
to execute confidentiality agreements with the Company and restricting access
to the Company's source code. The Company seeks to protect its software,
documentation and other written materials under trade secret and copyright
laws, which afford only limited protection.
 
  Despite the Company's efforts to protect its proprietary rights,
unauthorized parties may attempt to copy aspects of the Company's products or
to obtain and use information that the Company regards as proprietary.
Policing unauthorized use of the Company's products is difficult, and while
the Company is unable to determine the extent to which piracy of its software
products exists, software piracy can be expected to be a persistent problem.
In addition, the laws of many countries do not protect the Company's
proprietary rights to as great an extent as do the laws of the United States.
There can be no assurance that the Company's means of protecting its
proprietary rights will be adequate or that the Company's competitors will not
independently develop similar technology. Any failure by the Company to
meaningfully protect its intellectual property could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business, operating results and financial condition.
 
  To date, the Company has not been notified that its products infringe the
proprietary rights of third parties, but there can be no assurance that third
parties will not claim infringement by the Company with respect to current or
future products. The Company expects enterprise reporting software product
developers will increasingly be subject to infringement claims as the number
of products and competitors in the Company's industry segment grows and the
functionality of products in different industry segments overlaps. Any such
claims, with or without merit, could be time-consuming to
 
                                      42
<PAGE>
 
defend, result in costly litigation, divert management's attention and
resources, cause product shipment delays or require the Company to enter into
royalty or licensing agreements. Such royalty or licensing agreements, if
required, may not be available on terms acceptable to the Company or at all. A
successful claim of product infringement against the Company and the failure
or inability of the Company to license the infringed or similar technology
could have a material adverse effect upon the Company's business, operating
results and financial condition.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
  As of June 30, 1998, the Company had 122 full-time employees, including 46
in sales and marketing, 44 in research and development, 19 in services and
support, and 13 in general and administrative functions. The Company believes
its employee relations are good. The Company believes that its future success
will depend in large part upon its continuing ability to attract and retain
highly skilled managerial, sales, marketing, customer support and research and
development personnel and, in particular, its executive officers. See "Risk
Factors--Management of Growth; Dependence on and Need for Additional Qualified
Personnel".
 
FACILITIES
 
  The Company's principal executive offices are located in San Mateo,
California where the Company leases approximately 19,000 square feet under
leases that expire at various times through May 2002. The Company also leases
space (typically less than 2,000 square feet) in other geographic locations
throughout the United States for sales personnel.
 
                                      43
<PAGE>
 
                                  MANAGEMENT
 
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
 
  The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the
executive officers and directors of the Company as of June 30, 1998:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME                             AGE POSITION
- ----                             --- --------
<S>                              <C> <C>
Nicolas C. Nierenberg...........  41 President, Chief Executive Officer and
                                     Chairman of the Board of Directors
Peter I. Cittadini..............  42 Executive Vice President
Daniel A. Gaudreau..............  50 Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial
                                     Officer
Hamid Bahadori..................  44 Vice President, Engineering
Albert R. Campa.................  36 Vice President, Marketing
James Breyer(1).................  36 Director
Arthur Patterson(2).............  53 Director
Nancy Schoendorf(2).............  43 Director
Steven Whiteman(1)..............  46 Director
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Member of the Compensation Committee.
(2) Member of the Audit Committee.
 
  NICOLAS C. NIERENBERG is a co-founder of the Company and has been its
President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors
since November 1993. Prior to founding the Company, from April 1993 to
November 1993, Mr. Nierenberg worked as a consultant for Accel Partners, a
venture capital firm, evaluating investment opportunities in the enterprise
software market. Prior to that, in 1980 Mr. Nierenberg co-founded Unify
Corporation, which develops and markets relational database development tools.
Mr. Nierenberg held a number of positions at Unify, including Chairman of the
Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, President, Vice President,
Engineering and Chief Technical Officer. Mr. Nierenberg is a director of
Cloudscape, Inc., a privately held Java database management system software
company. Mr. Nierenberg attended the University of California, Los Angeles and
the University of California, San Diego where he studied computer science and
economics.
 
  PETER I. CITTADINI joined the Company in January 1995 as Executive Vice
President. From 1992 to January 1995, Mr. Cittadini held a number of positions
at Interleaf, Inc. an enterprise software publishing company, including Senior
Vice President of Worldwide Operations responsible for worldwide sales,
marketing, customer support and services. From 1985 to 1991, Mr. Cittadini
held a number of positions at Oracle Corporation, including Vice President,
Northeast Division. Mr. Cittadini holds a B.A. in Liberal Arts from Boston
College.
 
  DANIEL A. GAUDREAU joined the Company in February 1997 as Vice President,
Finance and Chief Financial Officer. From January 1994 to February 1997, Mr.
Gaudreau served as Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer of
Plantronics, Inc., a publicly traded telephone headset manufacturing company,
where he was responsible for all financial and administrative operations. From
January 1990 to January 1994, Mr. Gaudreau was Vice President, Finance and
Chief Financial Officer at Ready Systems, a real-time operating systems
software company. Prior to that, Mr. Gaudreau spent two years at Apple
Computer as the Controller of Fremont Manufacturing Operations, prior to which
he spent 18 years at General Electric where he held various financial
management positions. Mr. Gaudreau holds a B.S. in Industrial Management from
Clarkson University.
 
  HAMID BAHADORI joined the Company in May 1998 as Vice President,
Engineering. From January 1996 to May 1998, Mr. Bahadori served as Vice
President, Engineering for Envive Corp., a privately
 
                                      44
<PAGE>
 
held applications software company. Prior to that, Mr. Bahadori was a Senior
Director of Software Products Development for Oracle from 1989 to 1996. Mr.
Bahadori holds a B.S. in Applied Math and Electrical Engineering/Computer
Science from Purdue University and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Computer Sciences from
the University of California, Berkeley.
 
  ALBERT R. CAMPA joined the Company in November 1995 as Vice President,
Marketing. From February 1990 to October 1995, Mr. Campa held a number of
positions at Sybase, Inc., a database software company, including Group
Director of Worldwide Field Marketing where he was responsible for lead
generation, vertical marketing, regional marketing and a variety of other
sales and marketing activities. From September 1987 to February 1990, Mr.
Campa held a number of product and marketing management positions at Sun
Microsystems, Inc. From September 1983 to March 1985, Mr. Campa was a design
engineer in IBM's mainframe development group. Mr. Campa holds a B.S. in
Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University and an M.B.A. from Harvard
University.
 
  JAMES BREYER has been a director of the Company since November 1993. Mr.
Breyer has been a general partner of Accel Partners, a venture capital firm,
since 1990, and the Managing Partner since 1997. At Accel, Mr. Breyer has been
responsible for the firm's involvement in over a dozen companies that have
completed public offerings or successful mergers. Prior to joining Accel, Mr.
Breyer worked as a management consultant at McKinsey and Company, and held
product management and marketing positions at Apple Computer and Hewlett
Packard. Mr. Breyer currently serves as a director of RealNetworks, Inc. and
several privately held companies. Mr. Breyer holds a B.S. in Computer Science
and Economics from Stanford University and an M.B.A. from Harvard University,
where he was named a Baker Scholar.
 
  ARTHUR PATTERSON has been a director of the Company since November 1993. Mr.
Patterson founded Accel in 1983. Mr. Patterson currently serves as a director
of AIM Funds, PageMart Wireless, Inc., Unify Corporation, Viasoft, Inc. and
several privately held enterprise software and communications companies. Mr.
Patterson holds an A.B. and an M.B.A. from Harvard University.
 
  NANCY SCHOENDORF has been a director of the Company since September 1994.
Since June 1994, Ms. Schoendorf has been a general partner of Mohr, Davidow
Ventures, a venture capital firm. Prior to joining Mohr, Davidow, Ms.
Schoendorf served as Director of Systems Software Development at Sun
Microsystems, Inc. Ms. Schoendorf currently serves as a director of several
privately held companies. Ms. Schoendorf holds a B.S. in Math and Computer
Science from Iowa State University and an M.B.A. from Santa Clara University.
 
  STEVEN WHITEMAN has been a director of the Company since April 1998. Since
April 1993, Mr. Whiteman has served as President of Viasoft, Inc., a publicly
traded software application and services company and has served as Chief
Executive Officer and Director since January 1994 and Chairman of the Board of
Directors since April 1997. Mr. Whiteman currently serves as a director of
Unify Corporation. Mr. Whiteman holds a B.A. in Business Administration from
Taylor University and an M.B.A. from the University of Cincinnati.
 
AUDIT COMMITTEE
 
  The Audit Committee consists of Mr. Patterson and Ms. Schoendorf. The Audit
Committee makes recommendations to the Board of Directors regarding the
selection of independent accountants, reviews the results and scope of audit
and other services provided by the Company's independent accountants and
reviews and evaluates the Company's audit and control functions.
 
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
 
  The Compensation Committee consists of Messrs. Breyer and Whiteman. The
Compensation Committee makes recommendations regarding the Company's stock
plans and makes decisions concerning salaries and incentive compensation for
the Company's executive officers.
 
                                      45
<PAGE>
 
  None of the members of the Compensation Committee is currently or has been,
at any time since the formation of the Company, an officer or employee of the
Company. No member of the Compensation Committee of the Company serves as a
member of the Board of Directors or compensation committee of any entity that
has one or more executive officers serving as a member of the Company's Board
or Compensation Committee.
 
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
 
  Directors currently do not receive any cash compensation from the Company
for their services as members of the Board of Directors, although members are
reimbursed for certain expenses in connection with attendance at Board of
Directors and Committee meetings. Directors are eligible to participate in the
Company's stock plans, and beginning in 1998, employee directors will also be
able to participate in the Company's 1998 Equity Incentive Plan and non-
employee directors will receive periodic option grants under the Company's
1998 Non-Employee Directors Option Plan. In April 1998, Mr. Whiteman was
granted an option to purchase 30,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock
under the Company's 1994 Stock Option Plan at an exercise price of $5.00 per
share subject to a five year vesting schedule in connection with his
appointment to the Board. See "Management--1998 Equity Incentive Plan" and "--
1998 Non-Employee Directors Option Plan".
 
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
 
  The following table sets forth information with respect to compensation for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 1997 paid by the Company for services to
the Company by the Company's Chief Executive Officer and the Company's four
other highest paid executive officers whose total salary and bonus for such
fiscal year exceeded $100,000 (collectively, the "Named Executive Officers"):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               LONG TERM
                                                              COMPENSATION
                                                          SUMMARY COMPENSATION
                                   ANNUAL COMPENSATION        TABLE AWARDS
                                   ---------------------  --------------------
                                                          NUMBER OF SECURITIES
                                   SALARY($)   BONUS($)    UNDERLYING OPTIONS
                                   ----------  ---------  --------------------
<S>                                <C>         <C>        <C>
Nicolas C. Nierenberg.............     174,350     40,064       150,000
 President and Chief Executive
  Officer
Peter I. Cittadini................     180,000     63,000        40,000
 Executive Vice President
Daniel A. Gaudreau(1).............     142,320     36,045       125,000
 Vice President, Finance and Chief
  Financial Officer
Edward M. Sesek(2)................     111,590     29,230       150,000
 Vice President, Engineering
Albert R. Campa...................     115,000     26,683        15,000
 Vice President, Marketing
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Mr. Gaudreau's employment started on February 24, 1997 at an annual base
    salary of $170,000.
(2) Mr. Sesek's employment started on April 21, 1997 at an annual base salary
    of $160,000. Mr. Sesek resigned as Vice President, Engineering effective
    May 26, 1998. Hamid Bahadori was appointed to the position of Vice
    President, Engineering, effective May 27, 1998.
 
                                      46
<PAGE>
 
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
 
  The following table sets forth each grant of stock options during the fiscal
year ended December 31, 1997 to each of the Named Executive Officers. No stock
appreciation rights were granted during such fiscal year.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
                                                                                VALUE AT ASSUMED
                                                                                ANNUAL RATES OF
                                                                                  STOCK PRICE
                                                                                APPRECIATION FOR
                                          INDIVIDUAL GRANTS                      OPTION TERM(4)
                         ---------------------------------------------------- --------------------
                         NUMBER OF
                         SECURITIES PERCENT OF TOTAL
                         UNDERLYING OPTIONS GRANTED    EXERCISE
                          OPTIONS   TO EMPLOYEES IN      PRICE     EXPIRATION
                         GRANTED(1) FISCAL 1997 (2)  ($/SHARE) (3)    DATE       5%        10%
                         ---------- ---------------- ------------- ---------- --------- ----------
<S>                      <C>        <C>              <C>           <C>        <C>       <C>
Nicolas C. Nierenberg...  150,000         13.1%          0.62       08/26/07  $  58,487 $  148,218
Peter I. Cittadini......   40,000          3.5           0.34       01/15/07      8,553     21,675
Daniel A. Gaudreau......  125,000         10.9           0.34       03/05/07     26,728     67,734
Edward M. Sesek.........  150,000         13.1           0.34       04/16/07     32,074     81,281
Albert R. Campa.........    7,000            *           0.34       03/05/07      1,497      3,793
                            8,000            *           2.10       12/03/07     10,565     23,428
</TABLE>
- --------
* Less than one percent
(1) With respect to the options granted to Messrs. Nierenberg, Cittadini,
    Sesek, and Campa, 1/5 of the shares vest on the first anniversary of the
    vesting commencement date and 1/60 of the shares vest on each monthly
    anniversary of the vesting commencement date thereafter. With respect to
    Mr. Gaudreau's option, 1/4 of the shares vest on the first anniversary of
    the vesting commencement date and 1/48 of the shares vest on each monthly
    anniversary of the vesting commencement date thereafter. Each of the
    options has a ten year term, subject to earlier termination in the event
    of the optionee's cessation of service with the Company. See "Employment
    Agreements and Change of Control and Severance Arrangements".
(2) Based on an aggregate of 1,146,350 options granted to employees of the
    Company under the Company's 1994 Stock Option Plan during 1997.
(3) The exercise price is equal to the deemed fair market value of the
    Company's Common Stock as estimated by the Board of Directors on the date
    of grant.
(4) The potential realizable value is calculated based on the term of the
    option at the time of grant (ten years). Stock price appreciation and
    potential realizable values at 5% and 10% appreciation are calculated in
    accordance with Section 402 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act of
    1933, as amended, and do not represent the Company's prediction of its
    stock price performance.
 
                                      47
<PAGE>
 
OPTION VALUES
 
  The following table sets forth for each of the Named Executive Officers
options exercised during fiscal 1997 and the number and value of securities
underlying unexercised options that are held by the Named Executive Officers
as of December 31, 1997.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                NUMBER OF SECURITIES
                                                     UNDERLYING           VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
                          NUMBER OF            UNEXERCISED OPTIONS AT    IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS AT
                           SHARES     VALUE     DECEMBER 31, 1997(2)     DECEMBER 31, 1997 $(3)
                          ACQUIRED   REALIZED ------------------------- -------------------------
          NAME           ON EXERCISE   $(1)   EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
          ----           ----------- -------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S>                      <C>         <C>      <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>
Nicolas C. Nierenberg...        --        --    150,000         --        222,000         --
Peter I. Cittadini......    60,000    20,600         --         --             --         --
Daniel A. Gaudreau......   125,000        --         --         --             --         --
Edward M. Sesek.........    75,000    21,000     75,000         --        132,000         --
Albert R. Campa.........    74,500    12,825      8,000         --             --         --
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Equal to the fair market value of the purchased shares on the option
    exercise date, less the exercise price paid for such shares.
(2) With respect to the options granted to Messrs. Nierenberg, Cittadini,
    Sesek, and Campa, 1/5 of the shares vest on the first anniversary of the
    vesting commencement date and 1/60 of the shares vest on each monthly
    anniversary of the vesting commencement date thereafter. With respect to
    Mr. Gaudreau's option, 1/4 of the shares vest on the first anniversary of
    the vesting commencement date and 1/48 of the shares vest on each monthly
    anniversary of the vesting commencement date thereafter. Each of the
    options has a ten year term, subject to earlier termination in the event
    of the optionee's cessation of service with the Company. As of December
    31, 1997, the repurchase right had not lapsed as to any option shares for
    Mr. Nierenberg. In connection with the termination of his employment in
    June 1998, the Company repurchased 42,500 shares of Common Stock from Mr.
    Sesek at the original purchase price of those shares and the unexercised
    options for 75,000 shares expired unexercised.
(3) Based on the fair market value of the Company's Common Stock as of
    December 31, 1997 ($2.10 per share), less the exercise price payable for
    such shares.
 
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS AND CHANGE OF CONTROL AND SEVERANCE ARRANGEMENTS
 
  Pursuant to an agreement entered into between the Company and Daniel A.
Gaudreau, the Company's Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer,
upon a merger or acquisition Mr. Gaudreau will automatically vest in 50% of
his remaining unvested options to purchase shares of the Company's Common
Stock. Pursuant to an agreement entered into between the Company and Hamid
Bahadori, the Company's Vice President, Engineering, if Mr. Bahadori's
employment is terminated by the Company within the first 24 months following
May 27, 1998 other than for cause, he will automatically be vested in options
to purchase not less than 60,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock.
 
STOCK PLANS
 
 1998 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
 
  The Company's 1998 Equity Incentive Plan (the "Plan") was adopted by the
Board on May 27, 1998, subject to stockholder approval. The number of shares
of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the Plan is equal to 1,300,000
shares, which includes the aggregate number of shares remaining available for
grant under the Company's 1994 Stock Option Plan (the "Predecessor Plan"),
plus an additional number of shares equal to the number of shares reserved for
issuance under the Predecessor Plan against options outstanding under the
Predecessor Plan as of the date of this offering. As of June 30, 1998, there
were options to purchase 1,046,300 shares outstanding under the Predecessor
Plan. The Plan serves as the successor to the Predecessor Plan and no option
grants will be made under the Predecessor Plan after this offering. Except as
otherwise noted, options outstanding under the Predecessor Plan are subject to
substantially the same terms as described
 
                                      48
<PAGE>
 
below for option awards under the Plan. As of January 1 of each year,
commencing with the year 1999, the number of shares reserved for issuance
under the Plan will be increased automatically by the lesser of (i) 5% of the
total number of shares of Common Stock then outstanding or (ii) 700,000
shares.
 
  Under the Plan, employees, members of the Board and consultants may be
awarded options to purchase shares of Common Stock, stock appreciation rights
("SARs"), restricted shares or stock units (collectively, the "Awards").
Currently no Awards have been granted under the Plan. Options under the Plan
may be incentive stock options designed to satisfy Section 422 of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code") or nonstatutory stock options
not designed to meet such requirements. If restricted shares or shares issued
upon the exercise of options granted under the Plan or the Predecessor Plan
are forfeited, then such shares will again become available for awards under
the Plan. If stock units, options or SARs granted under the Plan or the
Predecessor Plan are forfeited or terminate for any other reason before being
exercised, then the corresponding shares will again become available for
awards under the Plan.
 
  The Plan is administered by the Company's Compensation Committee (the
"Committee"). The Committee has the complete discretion to determine which
eligible individuals are to receive any award, determine the type, number,
vesting requirements and other features and conditions of such award,
interpret the Plan and make all other decisions relating to the operation of
the Plan.
 
  The exercise price for nonstatutory and incentive stock options granted
under the Plan may not be less than 85% or 100%, respectively, of the fair
market value of the Common Stock on the option grant date and may be paid in
cash or in outstanding shares of Common Stock. Options may also be exercised
by using a cashless exercise method, a pledge of shares to a broker or
promissory note. The payment for the award of newly issued restricted shares
will be made in cash, by promissory note or the rendering of past or future
services.
 
  The Committee has the authority to modify, extend or assume outstanding
options and SARs or may accept the cancellation of outstanding options or SARs
in return for the grant of new options or SARs for the same or a different
number of shares and at the same or a different exercise price.
 
  Upon a Change in Control, an Award will become fully vested as to all shares
subject to such Award if such Award is not assumed by the surviving
corporation or its parent and the surviving corporation or its parent does not
substitute such Award with another award of substantially the same terms. In
the event of an involuntary termination of a participant within 12 months
following a Change in Control, the vesting of an Award will accelerate in
full. Options granted under the Predecessor Plan become fully vested upon a
Change in Control unless assumed or replaced with a comparable option by the
acquiring entity.
 
  A Change in Control includes (i) a merger or consolidation of the Company
after which the Company's then current stockholders own less than 50% of the
surviving corporation, (ii) sale of all or substantially all of the assets of
the Company, (iii) a proxy contest that results in replacement of more than
one-third of the directors over a 24 month period or (iv) acquisition of 50%
or more of the Company's outstanding stock by a person other than a trustee of
any of the Company's employee benefit plans or a corporation owned by the
stockholders of the Company in substantially the same proportions as their
stock ownership in the Company. In the event of a merger or other
reorganization, outstanding options, SARs, restricted shares and stock units
will be subject to the agreement of merger or reorganization, which may
provide for the assumption of outstanding Awards by the surviving corporation
or its parent, for their continuation by the Company (if the Company is a
surviving corporation), for accelerated vesting and accelerated expiration,
for settlement in cash or for cancellation of the outstanding Awards.
 
 
                                      49
<PAGE>
 
  The Board may amend or terminate the Plan at any time. Amendments may be
subject to stockholder approval to the extent required by applicable laws.
 
 1998 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
 
  The Board adopted the Company's 1998 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the
"Purchase Plan") on May 27, 1998, subject to stockholder approval. A total of
250,000 shares of Common Stock have been reserved for issuance under the
Purchase Plan. As of January 1 of each year, the number of shares reserved for
issuance under the Purchase Plan will be automatically increased by 150,000
shares. The Purchase Plan is intended to qualify under Section 423 of the
Code. Each calendar year, two overlapping offering periods each with a
duration of 24 months will commence on February 1 and August 1 (except that
the first offering period will commence on the effective date of the offering
and end on July 31, 2000). Each offering period contains four six-month
accumulation periods, with purchases occurring at the end of each six-month
accumulation period. However, the initial accumulation period during the first
offering period will begin on the effective date of the offering and end on
January 31, 1999. The Purchase Plan will be administered by the Committee.
Each employee will be eligible to participate if he or she is employed by the
Company for at least 20 hours per week and for more than five months per year.
The Purchase Plan permits each eligible employee to purchase Common Stock
through payroll deductions, which may not exceed 15% of an employee's cash
compensation. No more than 1,000 shares may be purchased on any purchase date.
The price of each share of Common Stock purchased under the Purchase Plan will
be 85% of the lower of (i) the fair market value per share of Common Stock on
the date immediately prior to the first date of the applicable offering period
(except that in the case of the first offering period, the price per share
will be the price offered to the public in the offering) or (ii) the date at
the end of the applicable accumulation period. Employees may end their
participation in the Purchase Plan at any time during the accumulation period,
and participation ends automatically upon termination of employment with the
Company.
 
  In the event of a Change in Control, all offering periods and accumulation
periods will terminate and each outstanding purchase right will be exercised.
The Board may amend or terminate the Purchase Plan at any time. However, the
Board may not, without stockholder approval, increase the number of shares of
Common Stock reserved for issuance under the Purchase Plan beyond the
automatic increases described above.
 
 1998 NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS OPTION PLAN
 
  The Company's 1998 Non-Employee Directors Option Plan (the "Directors Option
Plan") was adopted by the Board of Directors on May 27, 1998, subject to
approval by the stockholders. Under the Directors Option Plan, non-employee
members of the Board of Directors will be eligible for automatic option
grants. For issuance under the Directors Option Plan, 200,000 shares of Common
Stock have been authorized. No shares have been issued under the Directors
Option Plan. The Directors Option Plan is self-administering but any
administrative determinations will be made by the Compensation Committee of
the Board. The exercise price for options granted under the Directors Option
Plan may be paid in cash or in outstanding shares of Common Stock. Options may
also be exercised on a cashless basis through the same-day sale of the
purchased shares.
 
  Each individual who first joins the Board as a non-employee director after
the date of this Offering, whether through election or appointment will
receive at that time, an automatic option grant for 20,000 shares of Common
Stock. With respect to the initial automatic option grant, the option will
become exercisable as to 20% of the shares after one year of Board service and
in the balance of the shares in a series of 48 monthly installments over the
remaining period of optionee's Board service. In addition, at each annual
stockholders meeting, beginning in 1999, each non-employee director who was a
director on the date of this Offering and each nonemployee director who
becomes a director
 
                                      50
<PAGE>
 
after the date of this Offering will automatically be granted at that meeting,
whether or not he or she is standing for re-election at that particular
meeting, a stock option to purchase 2,500 shares of Common Stock, which will
become fully exercisable on the first anniversary of such meeting. Each option
will have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the Common Stock
on the automatic grant date and a maximum term of ten years, subject to
earlier termination following the optionee's cessation of Board service.
However, vesting will automatically accelerate in full upon (i) an acquisition
of the Company by merger, consolidation or asset sale, (ii) a tender offer for
more than 50% of the outstanding voting stock or proxy contest for Board
membership or (iii) the death or disability of the optionee while serving as a
Board member.
 
  The Board may amend or modify the Directors Option Plan at any time. The
Directors Option Plan will terminate on May 27, 2008, unless sooner terminated
by the Board.
 
LIMITATION OF LIABILITY AND INDEMNIFICATION
 
  Pursuant to the provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law
("Delaware Law"), the Company has adopted provisions in its Certificate of
Incorporation which provide that directors of the Company shall not be
personally liable for monetary damages to the Company or its stockholders for
a breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability as a result of
(i) a breach of the directors' duty of loyalty to the Company or its
stockholders; (ii) acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (iii) an act related to
the unlawful stock repurchase or payment of a dividend under Section 174 of
the Delaware Law; and (iv) transactions from which the director derived an
improper personal benefit. Such limitation of liability does not affect the
availability of equitable remedies such as injunctive relief or rescission.
 
  The Company's Certificate of Incorporation also authorizes the Company to
indemnify its officers, directors and other agents, by bylaws, agreements or
otherwise, to the fullest extent permitted under the Delaware Law. The
Company, prior to the completion of this offering, will enter into separate
indemnification agreements with its directors which are, in some cases,
broader than the specific indemnification provisions contained in the Delaware
Law. The indemnification agreements require the Company, among other things,
to indemnify such directors against certain liabilities that may arise by
reason of their status or service as directors (other than liabilities arising
from willful misconduct of a culpable nature), to advance their expenses
incurred as a result of any proceeding against them as to which they could be
indemnified, and to obtain directors' and officers' insurance if available on
reasonable terms.
 
  At present, there is no pending litigation or proceeding involving a
director, officer, employee or agent of the Company where indemnification will
be required or permitted. The Company is not aware of any threatened
litigation or proceeding which may result in a claim for such indemnification.
 
                                      51
<PAGE>
 
                             CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
 
  Since January 1, 1995, the Company has issued, in private placement
transactions, shares of its Preferred Stock as follows: In January 1996, the
Company issued 1,176,471 shares of Series C Preferred Stock at a price of
$3.40 per share and in April 1997, the Company issued 939,927 shares of Series
D Preferred Stock at a price of $6.23 per share. The following table
summarizes the shares of Preferred Stock purchased by executive officers,
directors and 5% stockholders of the Company and persons associated with them:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    SERIES C        SERIES D
INVESTOR                                         PREFERRED STOCK PREFERRED STOCK
- --------                                         --------------- ---------------
<S>                                              <C>             <C>
Entities affiliated with Accel Partners(1)......     478,054         286,684
Mohr, Davidow Ventures III(2)...................     177,392         105,720
Entities affiliated with Sequoia Capital(3).....     521,025          40,983
Daniel A. Gaudreau..............................          --          25,000
</TABLE>
- --------
(1) Includes shares purchased by Accel IV L.P., Accel Investors '93 L.P.,
    Accel Keiretsu L.P., Ellmore C. Patterson Partners and Prosper Partners.
    Messrs. Breyer and Patterson, directors of the Company, are general
    partners of Accel Partners which is the general partner of the Accel IV
    L.P., Accel Investors '93 L.P., Accel Keiretsu L.P., Ellmore C. Patterson
    Partners and Prosper Partners.
(2) Ms. Schoendorf, a director of the Company, is a general partner of WLPJ
    Partners, which is the general partner of Mohr, Davidow Ventures III.
(3) Includes shares purchased by Sequoia Capital IV, Sequoia Technology
    Partners IV and Sequoia 1995.
 
  In 1996, the Company made an equity investment of approximately $95,000 in
Actuate Japan. This represented approximately 8.3% of the outstanding voting
stock of Actuate Japan. This investment is accounted for on the equity basis
due to the Company's ability to exercise significant influence over Actuate
Japan. During 1996, the Company advanced a total of $160,000 to Actuate Japan.
An additional $100,000 was advanced in 1997.
 
  Prior to the effective date of this offering, the Company intends to enter
into indemnification agreements with its directors containing provisions that
may require the Company, among other things, to indemnify such directors
against certain liabilities that may arise by reason of their status or
service as directors (other than liabilities arising from willful misconduct
of a culpable nature) and to advance their expenses incurred as a result of
any proceeding against them as to which they could be indemnified. The Company
intends to execute such agreements with its future directors. See
"Management--Limitation of Liability and Indemnification Matters".
 
  The Company has entered into letter agreements with certain of its officers
that provide for the acceleration of vesting of shares held by them under
certain circumstances. See "Management--Employment Agreements and Change of
Control and Severance Arrangements".
 
  The Company has entered into an agreement (the "BV Agreement") with Telephus
Vastgoed B.V. (the "BV"), pursuant to which the BV has established
subsidiaries in France, Germany and the United Kingdom (the "BV
Subsidiaries"). The Company has entered into agreements with each of the BV
Subsidiaries under which the BV Subsidiaries have the exclusive right (other
than with respect to value added resellers who have been or will be granted
worldwide distribution rights) to distribute the Company's products and use
the Company's name in Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland and the United
Kingdom, in exchange for a 50% royalty on sales of the Company's products by
the BV Subsidiaries. Beginning six months after the effective date of the
Offering, the BV may force the Company to purchase its outstanding shares at a
price approximately equal to its last last twelve months' revenues. The
purchase price may be paid, at the Company's option, in cash, or in registered
 
                                      52
<PAGE>
 
shares of the Company's Common Stock. The Company has a right of first refusal
on any transfer of ownership interest in the BV and, beginning on July 1,
1999, the Company has the right to cause the stockholders of the BV to sell
all of the outstanding shares of the BV to the Company based on the above
pricing formula. In the event that the Company fails to purchase the BV upon
the request of the BV stockholders, or fails to exercise its right of first
refusal, the licenses held by the BV Subsidiaries will become perpetual and
royalty free. See "Risk Factors--Risks Associated With Potential Acquisitions
of Certain International Distributors" and "--Failure to Expand and Risks
Associated With International Sales and Operations".
 
  The Company holds a minority equity interest in Actuate Japan. The Company
has also entered into an agreement with Actuate Japan pursuant to which
Actuate Japan has the exclusive right (other than with respect to value added
resellers who are or will be granted worldwide distribution rights) to
distribute the Company's Products and use the Company's name in Japan, in
exchange for a 50% royalty on sales of the Company products by Actuate Japan.
The Company has a right of first refusal on any transfer of the outstanding
shares of Actuate Japan. In addition, beginning nine months after the
effective date of this offering, Actuate Japan has the right to cause the
Company to buy all of its outstanding shares, and the Company has the right to
cause the other stockholders of Actuate Japan to sell their shares to the
Company, in each case pursuant to an pre-determined price formula, in exchange
for (at the election of the Company) cash, securities of the Company or
through a continuing royalty offset over a 30 month period. See "Risk
Factors--Risks Associated With Potential Acquisitions of Certain International
Distributors" and "--Failure to Expand and Risks Associated With International
Sales and Operations".
 
                                      53
<PAGE>
 
                      PRINCIPAL AND SELLING STOCKHOLDERS
 
  The following table sets forth certain information known to the Company
regarding beneficial ownership of its Common Stock as of June 30, 1998, and as
adjusted to reflect the sale of shares offered by this Prospectus, by (i) each
stockholder who is known by the Company to own beneficially more than five
percent of the Company's Common Stock, (ii) each of the Company's directors,
(iii) each of the Company's Named Executive Officers, (iv) all executive
officers and directors of the Company as a group and (v) other Selling
Stockholders.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             SHARES BENEFICIALLY            SHARES BENEFICIALLY
                                OWNED PRIOR TO                  OWNED AFTER
                                 OFFERING(1)                  THE OFFERING(2)
                             --------------------           --------------------
NAME AND ADDRESS OF                               SHARES TO
BENEFICIAL OWNER              NUMBER   PERCENT(3)  BE SOLD   NUMBER   PERCENT(3)
- -------------------          --------- ---------- --------- --------- ----------
<S>                          <C>       <C>        <C>       <C>       <C>
Entities affiliated with
 Accel Partners(4).........  3,931,405    37.3%        --   3,931,405    29.2%
 428 University Avenue
 Palo Alto, CA 94301
Mohr, Davidow Ventures
 III(5)....................  1,449,779    13.7         --   1,449,779    10.8
 2775 Sand Hill Road, Suite
  240
 Menlo Park, CA 94025
Entities affiliated with
 Sequoia Capital(6)........    562,008     5.3         --     562,008     4.2
 3000 Sand Hill Road, Suite
  4-280
 Menlo Park, CA 94025
Nicolas C. Nierenberg(7)...  1,650,000    15.4         --   1,650,000    12.1
 c/o Actuate Software
  Corporation
 999 Baker Way, Suite 270
 San Mateo, CA 94404
Peter I. Cittadini(8)......    502,500     4.7         --     502,500     3.7
Daniel A. Gaudreau(9)......    160,000     1.5         --     160,000     1.2
Hamid Bahadori(10).........    150,000     1.4         --     150,000     1.1
Edward M. Sesek............     32,500       *         --      32,500       *
Albert R. Campa(11)........    102,500     1.0         --     102,500       *
James Breyer(4)............  3,931,405    37.5         --   3,931,405    29.4
 c/o Accel Partners
 428 University Avenue
 Palo Alto, CA 94301
Arthur Patterson(4)........  3,931,405    37.5         --   3,931,405    29.4
 c/o Accel Partners
 428 University Avenue
 Palo Alto, CA 94301
Nancy Schoendorf(5)........  1,449,779    13.8         --   1,449,779    10.8
 c/o Mohr, Davidow Ventures
 2775 Sand Hill Road, Suite
  240
 Menlo Park, CA 94025
Steven Whiteman(12)........     30,000       *         --      30,000       *
John R. Dafoe..............    300,000     2.8     30,000     270,000     2.0
David B. Edwards...........    300,000     2.8     30,000     270,000     2.0
William A. Osberg..........    295,000     2.8     30,000     265,000     2.0
Paul A. Rogers(13).........    240,000     2.3     20,000     220,000     1.6
All directors and executive
 officers as a group (9
 persons)(14)..............  7,976,184    72.8%        --   7,976,184    57.6%
</TABLE>
 
                                      54
<PAGE>
 
- --------
  *  Represents beneficial ownership of less than 1% of the outstanding shares
     of Common Stock.
 (1) Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the
     Securities and Exchange Commission and includes voting or investment
     power with respect to securities. To the Company's knowledge, except as
     indicated in the footnotes to this table and pursuant to applicable
     community property laws, the persons named in the table have sole voting
     and investment power with respect to all shares of Common Stock. The
     number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned includes shares
     issuable pursuant to stock options that are exercisable within 60 days of
     June 30, 1998.
 (2) Assumes no exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment option. If the
     Underwriter's over-allotment option is exercised in full, Nicolas C.
     Nierenberg and Peter I. Cittadini will sell an aggregate of 150,000 and
     50,000 shares of Common Stock, respectively, and beneficially own
     1,500,000 and 452,500 shares, or 11.0% and 3.4%, respectively, of the
     Company's outstanding Common Stock, after completion of this offering.
     See "Underwriting".
 (3) Percentage of beneficial ownership is based on 10,553,000 shares of
     Common Stock outstanding as of June 30, 1998 and 13,443,000 shares of
     Common Stock to be outstanding after the closing of this offering. Shares
     issuable pursuant to stock options exercisable within 60 days of June 30,
     1998 are deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of the person
     holding such options but are not deemed outstanding for computing the
     percentage of any other person.
 (4) Includes 3,601,168 shares held by Accel IV L.P., 145,462 shares held by
     Accel Investors '93 L.P., 74,697 shares held by Accel Keiretsu L.P.,
     86,490 shares held by Ellmore C. Patterson Partners and 23,588 shares
     held by Prosper Partners. Messrs. Breyer and Patterson, directors of the
     Company, are general partners of Accel Partners, the general partner of
     each of Accel IV L.P., Accel Investors '93 L.P., Accel Keiretsu L.P.,
     Ellmore C. Patterson Partners and Prosper Partners. Each of Messrs.
     Breyer and Patterson disclaim beneficial ownership of such shares except
     to the extent of his pecuniary interest therein.
 (5) Ms. Schoendorf, a director of the Company, is a general partner of WLPJ
     Partners, the general partner of Mohr, Davidow Ventures III. Ms.
     Schoendorf disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares except to the
     extent of her pecuniary interest therein.
 (6) Includes 511,428 shares held by Sequoia Capital IV, 28,100 shares held by
     Sequoia Technology Partners IV and 22,480 shares held by Sequoia 1995.
 (7) Includes 150,000 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to stock
     options which may be exercised within 60 days of June 30, 1998.
 (8) Includes 40,000 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to stock options
     which may be exercised within 60 days of June 30, 1998.
 (9) Includes 10,000 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to stock options
     which may be exercised within 60 days of June 30, 1998.
(10) Includes 150,000 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to stock
     options which may be exercised within 60 days of June 30, 1998.
(11) Includes 20,000 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to stock options
     which may be exercised within 60 days of June 30, 1998.
(12) Includes 30,000 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to a stock
     option granted to Mr. Whiteman, a director of the Company, on April 14,
     1998, which may be exercised within 60 days of June 30, 1998.
(13) Includes 20,000 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to stock options
     which may be exercised within 60 days of June 30, 1998
(14) Includes 400,000 shares of Common Stock issuable pursuant to stock
     options which may be exercised within 60 days after June 30, 1998.
 
                                      55
<PAGE>
 
                         DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
  Upon the closing of this offering, the authorized capital stock of the
Company will consist of 35,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.001 par value,
and 5,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value.
 
COMMON STOCK
 
  As of June 30, 1998, there were 10,553,000 shares of Common Stock
outstanding that were held of record by approximately 88 stockholders. There
will be 13,443,000 shares of Common Stock outstanding (assuming no exercise of
the Underwriters' over-allotment option and assuming no exercise after June
30, 1998 of outstanding options) after giving effect to the sale of the shares
of Common Stock to the public offered hereby.
 
  The holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share on all
matters to be voted upon by the stockholders. Subject to preferences that may
be applicable to any outstanding Preferred Stock, the holders of Common Stock
are entitled to receive ratably such dividends, if any, as may be declared
from time to time by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available
therefor. See "Dividend Policy". In the event of the liquidation, dissolution,
or winding up of the Company, the holders of Common Stock are entitled to
share ratably in all assets remaining after payment of liabilities, subject to
prior distribution rights of Preferred Stock, if any, then outstanding. The
Common Stock has no preemptive or conversion rights or other subscription
rights. There are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the
Common Stock. All outstanding shares of Common Stock are fully paid and
nonassessable, and the shares of Common Stock to be issued upon completion of
this offering will be fully paid and nonassessable.
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
  The Company's Certificate of Incorporation authorizes 5,000,000 shares of
Preferred Stock. The Board of Directors has the authority to issue the
Preferred Stock in one or more series and to fix the rights, preferences,
privileges and restrictions thereof, including dividend rights, dividend
rates, conversion rights, voting rights, terms of redemption, redemption
prices, liquidation preferences and the number of shares constituting any
series or the designation of such series, without further vote or action by
the stockholders. The issuance of Preferred Stock may have the effect of
delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of the Company without
further action by the stockholders and may adversely affect the voting and
other rights of the holders of Common Stock. The issuance of Preferred Stock
with voting and conversion rights may adversely affect the voting power of the
holders of Common Stock, including the loss of voting control to others. At
present, the Company has no plans to issue any of the Preferred Stock.
 
ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECTS OF PROVISIONS OF THE CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION,
BYLAWS AND DELAWARE LAW
 
 CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS
 
  Effective upon the closing of this offering, the Certificate of
Incorporation will provide that all stockholder actions must be effected at a
duly called meeting and not by a consent in writing. This provision of the
Certificate of Incorporation could discourage potential acquisition proposals
and could delay or prevent a change in control of the Company. This provision
is intended to enhance the likelihood of continuity and stability in the
composition of the Board of Directors and in the policies formulated by the
Board of Directors and to discourage certain types of transactions that may
involve an unsolicited acquisition of the Company. The provision also is
intended to discourage certain tactics that may be used in proxy fights.
However, such provision could have the effect of discouraging others
 
                                      56
<PAGE>
 
from making tender offers for the Company's shares. Such provision also may
have the effect of preventing changes in the management of the Company. See
"Risk Factors--Anti-Takeover Effects of Provisions of the Certificate of
Incorporation, Bylaws and Delaware Law".
 
 DELAWARE TAKEOVER STATUTE
 
  The Company is subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General Corporation
Law ("Section 203"), which, subject to certain exceptions, prohibits a
Delaware corporation from engaging in any business combination with any
interested stockholder for a period of three years following the date that
such stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless: (i) prior to such
date, the board of directors of the corporation approved either the business
combination or the transaction that resulted in the stockholder becoming an
interested stockholder; (ii) upon consummation of the transaction that
resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested
stockholder owned at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation
outstanding at the time the transaction commenced, excluding for purposes of
determining the number of shares outstanding those shares owned (x) by persons
who are directors and also officers and (y) by employee stock plans in which
employee participants do not have the right to determine confidentially
whether shares held subject to the plan will be tendered in a tender or
exchange offer; or (iii) on or subsequent to such date, the business
combination is approved by the board of directors and authorized at an annual
or special meeting of stockholders, and not by written consent, by the
affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock that is
not owned by the interested stockholder.
 
  Section 203 defines business combination to include: (i) any merger or
consolidation involving the corporation and the interested stockholder; (ii)
any sale, transfer, pledge or other disposition of 10% or more of the assets
of the corporation involving the interested stockholder; (iii) subject to
certain exceptions, any transaction that results in the issuance or transfer
by the corporation of any stock of the corporation to the interested
stockholder; (iv) any transaction involving the corporation that has the
effect of increasing the proportionate share of the stock of any class or
series of the corporation beneficially owned by the interested stockholder; or
(v) the receipt by the interested stockholder of the benefit of any loans,
advances, guarantees, pledges or other financial benefits provided by or
through the corporation. In general, Section 203 defines an interested
stockholder as any entity or person beneficially owning 15% or more of the
outstanding voting stock of the corporation and any entity or person
affiliated with or controlling or controlled by such entity or person.
 
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
 
  After this offering, the holders of approximately 6,489,732 shares of Common
Stock will be entitled to certain rights with respect to the registration of
such shares under the Securities Act. Under the terms of the agreement between
the Company and the holders of such registrable securities, if the Company
proposes to register any of its securities under the Securities Act, either
for its own account or for the account of other security holders exercising
registration rights, such holders are entitled to notice of such registration
and are entitled to include their shares of such Common Stock therein.
Additionally, such holders are also entitled to certain demand registration
rights pursuant to which they may require the Company to file a registration
statement under the Securities Act at its expense with respect to their shares
of Common Stock, and the Company is required to use its best efforts to effect
such registration. Further, holders may require the Company to file additional
registration statements on Form S-3 at the Company's expense. All of these
registration rights are subject to certain conditions and limitations, among
them the right of the underwriters of an offering to limit the number of
shares included in such registration and such registration not taking place
prior to six months following the effective date of the offering.
 
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
 
  The Transfer Agent and Registrar for the Common Stock is BankBoston, N.A.,
and its telephone number is (718) 595-2000.
 
                                      57
<PAGE>
 
                        SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
 
  Upon completion of this offering, the Company will have outstanding
13,443,000 shares of Common Stock (13,693,000 shares if the Underwriters'
over-allotment option is exercised in full), assuming no exercise of options
after June 30, 1998. Of these shares, the 3,000,000 shares offered hereby
(3,450,000 shares if the Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in
full) will be freely tradeable without restriction under the Securities Act,
unless they are held by "affiliates" of the Company as that term is used under
the Securities Act and the Regulations promulgated thereunder.
 
  The remaining 10,443,000 outstanding shares are "restricted securities" as
that term is defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act (assuming no
exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment option) ("Restricted Shares").
All such Restricted Shares are subject to lock-up agreements pursuant to which
such holders have agreed not to sell any securities of the Company without the
prior consent of Goldman, Sachs & Co. for a period of 180 days from the date
of this Prospectus. Following the expiration of 180 days from the date of this
Prospectus, approximately 10,385,637 Restricted Shares will become eligible
for sale under Rule 144 or Rule 701(assuming no exercise of the Underwriters'
over-allotment option), of which 9,913,970 shares will be subject to the
volume and/or manner of sale restrictions of Rule 144.
 
  In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, a person (or persons
whose shares are aggregated) who has beneficially owned shares for at least
one year is entitled to sell within any three-month period commencing 90 days
after the date of this Prospectus a number of shares that does not exceed the
greater of (i) 1% of the then outstanding shares of Common Stock
(approximately 1,394,300 shares immediately after the offering) or (ii) the
average weekly trading volume during the four calendar weeks preceding such
sale, subject to the filing of a Form 144 with respect to such sale. A person
(or persons whose shares are aggregated) who is not deemed to have been an
affiliate of the Company at any time during the 90 days immediately preceding
the sale who has beneficially owned his or her shares for at least two years
is entitled to sell such shares pursuant to Rule 144(k) without regard to the
limitations described above. Persons deemed to be affiliates must always sell
pursuant to Rule 144, even after the applicable holding periods have been
satisfied.
 
  Under Rule 701 as currently in effect, any employee, officer or director of
or consultant to the Company who purchased shares under the 1994 Stock Option
Plan or pursuant to a written compensatory plan or contract is entitled to
rely on the resale provisions of Rule 701, which permits nonaffiliates to sell
their Rule 701 shares without having to comply with the public information,
holding period, volume limitation or notice provisions of Rule 144 and permits
affiliates to sell their Rule 701 shares without having to comply with the
Rule 144 holding period restrictions, in each case commencing 90 days after
the date of this Prospectus. However, all Rule 701 shares are subject to lock-
up agreements with the Underwriters restricting their sale during the 180-day
period following this offering.
 
  The Company intends to file a registration statement on Form S-8 under the
Securities Act to register 2,655,450 shares of Common Stock subject to
outstanding stock options or reserved for issuance under the 1994 Stock Option
Plan, the 1998 Plan, the Nonemployee Director Plan and the Purchase Plan
within 180 days after the date of this Prospectus; thus permitting the resale
of such shares by nonaffiliated in the public market without restriction under
the Securities Act.
 
  In addition, after this offering, the holders of approximately 6,489,732
shares of Common Stock will be entitled to certain rights with respect to
registration of such shares under the Securities Act. Registration of such
shares under the Securities Act would result in such shares becoming freely
traceable without restriction under the Securities Act (except for shares
purchased by affiliates of the Company) immediately upon the effectiveness of
such registration. See "Description of Capital Stock--Registration Rights".
 
                                      58
<PAGE>
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
  The validity of the Common Stock offered hereby will be passed upon for the
Company by Gunderson Dettmer Stough Villeneuve Franklin & Hachigian, LLP,
Menlo Park, California. Certain legal matters in connection with the offering
will be passed upon for the Underwriters by Venture Law Group, A Professional
Corporation, Menlo Park, California.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
  The financial statements of the Company at December 31, 1996 and 1997 and
for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997 appearing in
this Prospectus and the Registration Statement have been audited by Ernst &
Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their report thereon
appearing elsewhere herein, and are included in reliance upon such report,
given upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
                            ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
 
  The Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Commission"), Washington, D.C. 20549, a Registration Statement on Form S-1
under the Securities Act with respect to the Common Stock offered hereby. This
Prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the
Registration Statement and the exhibits and schedules to the Registration
Statement. For further information with respect to the Company and such Common
Stock offered hereby, reference is made to the Registration Statement and the
exhibits and schedules filed as a part of the Registration Statement.
Statements contained in this Prospectus concerning the contents of any
contract or any other document referred to are not necessarily complete;
reference is made in each instance to the copy of such contract or document
filed as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. Each such statement is
qualified by such reference to such exhibit. The Registration Statement,
including exhibits and schedules thereto, may be inspected without charge at
the Commission's principal office in Washington, D.C., and copies of all or
any part thereof may be obtained from such office after payment of fees
prescribed by the Commission. The Commission maintains a Web site that
contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information
regarding registrants that file electronically with the Commission at
http://www.sec.gov.
 
                                      59
<PAGE>
 
                          ACTUATE SOFTWARE CORPORATION
 
                         INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           PAGE
                                                                           ----
<S>                                                                        <C>
Report of Independent Auditors............................................ F-2
Financial Statements:
  Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1996 and 1997 and June 30, 1998
   (Unaudited)............................................................ F-3
  Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 1995, 1996 and
   1997 and for the Six Months Ended June 30, 1997 and 1998 (Unaudited)... F-4
  Statement of Stockholders' Equity (Net Capital Deficiency) for the Years
   Ended December 31, 1995, 1996 and 1997 and for the Six Months Ended
   June 30, 1998 (Unaudited).............................................. F-5
  Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 1995, 1996 and
   1997 and for the Six Months Ended June 30, 1997 and 1998 (Unaudited)... F-6
  Notes to Financial Statements........................................... F-7
</TABLE>
 
                                      F-1
<PAGE>
 
               REPORT OF ERNST & YOUNG LLP, INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders
 Actuate Software Corporation
 
  We have audited the accompanying balance sheets of Actuate Software
Corporation as of December 31, 1996 and 1997, and the related statements of
operations, stockholders' equity (net capital deficiency), and cash flows for
each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997. These financial
statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on
our audits.
 
  We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
 
  In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Actuate Software
Corporation at December 31, 1996 and 1997, and the results of its operations
and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December
31, 1997 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
 
Palo Alto, California                     /s/ Ernst & Young LLP
April 17, 1998,
 except for Note 10, as to which the date is
 July 7, 1998
 
                                      F-2
<PAGE>
 
                          ACTUATE SOFTWARE CORPORATION
 
                                 BALANCE SHEETS
                       (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    PRO FORMA
                                                                  STOCKHOLDERS'
                                     DECEMBER 31,                   EQUITY AT
                                   -----------------   JUNE 30,     JUNE 30,
                                    1996      1997       1998         1998
                                   -------  --------  ----------- -------------
                                                      (UNAUDITED)  (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                <C>      <C>       <C>         <C>
              ASSETS
Current assets:
 Cash and cash equivalents........ $ 1,040  $  2,901   $  1,003
 Short-term investments...........     --        290        --
 Accounts receivable, net of
  allowance for doubtful accounts
  of $82, $573 and $646 at
  December 31, 1996 and 1997, and
  June 30, 1998, respectively.....   1,873     2,984      3,862
 Other current assets.............     165       172        297
                                   -------  --------   --------
Total current assets..............   3,078     6,347      5,162
Property and equipment, net.......     495     1,096      1,229
Other assets......................      91       144        177
                                   -------  --------   --------
                                   $ 3,664  $  7,587   $  6,568
                                   =======  ========   ========
  LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS'
 EQUITY (NET CAPITAL DEFICIENCY)
Current liabilities:
 Accounts payable................. $   296  $    843   $  1,347
 Accrued compensation.............     368       997        900
 Other accrued liabilities........     340     1,679      2,940
 Deferred revenue.................   3,509     6,021      6,657
 Capital lease obligations........     129       125        116
                                   -------  --------   --------
Total current liabilities.........   4,642     9,665     11,960
Capital lease obligations.........     213       124         65
Commitments
Stockholders' equity (net capital
 deficiency):
 Convertible preferred stock,
  $0.001 par value, issuable in
  series: 9,059,610 shares
  authorized at December 31, 1996;
  10,939,464 shares authorized at
  December 31, 1997 and June 30,
  1998 (5,000,000 pro forma);
  5,549,805, 6,489,732 and
  6,489,732 shares issued and
  outstanding (none pro forma);
  aggregate liquidation preference
  of $14,376 at June 30, 1998
  (none pro forma)................       5         6          6     $    --
 Common stock, $0.001 par value,
  20,000,000 shares authorized
  (35,000,000 pro forma);
  3,039,447, 3,976,285 and
  4,063,268 shares issued and
  outstanding at December 31, 1996
  and 1997, and June 30, 1998,
  respectively
  (10,553,000 pro forma)..........       3         4          4           10
 Additional paid-in capital.......   8,572    14,908     15,641       15,641
 Note receivable from officer.....     (40)      (40)       (40)         (40)
 Deferred stock compensation......     --       (107)      (593)        (593)
 Accumulated deficit..............  (9,731)  (16,973)   (20,475)     (20,475)
                                   -------  --------   --------     --------
Total stockholders' equity (net
 capital deficiency)..............  (1,191)   (2,202)    (5,457)    $ (5,457)
                                   -------  --------   --------     ========
                                   $ 3,664  $  7,587   $  6,568
                                   =======  ========   ========
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                      F-3
<PAGE>
 
                          ACTUATE SOFTWARE CORPORATION
 
                            STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                     (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          YEARS ENDED            SIX MONTHS
                                         DECEMBER 31,          ENDED JUNE 30,
                                    -------------------------  ----------------
                                     1995     1996     1997     1997     1998
                                    -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
                                                                 (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                 <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
Revenues:
  License fees....................  $   --   $   343  $ 7,542  $ 2,829  $ 7,009
  Services........................       22      308    1,976      616    1,754
                                    -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
Total revenues....................       22      651    9,518    3,445    8,763
                                    -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
Operating expenses:
  Cost of license fees............      --       171      647      207      531
  Cost of services................       53      305    1,263      381    1,529
  Sales and marketing.............      847    2,965    7,366    2,914    5,467
  Research and development........    1,883    2,731    6,213    2,504    3,574
  General and administrative......      240      603    1,317      413    1,200
                                    -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
Total operating expenses..........    3,023    6,775   16,806    6,419   12,301
                                    -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
Loss from operations..............   (3,001)  (6,124)  (7,288)  (2,974)  (3,538)
Equity in losses of affiliate.....      --       (25)     (36)     (16)     --
Interest and other income, net....      166       90       82       30       36
                                    -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
Net loss..........................  $(2,835) $(6,059) $(7,242) $(2,960) $(3,502)
                                    =======  =======  =======  =======  =======
Basic and diluted net loss per
 share............................  $ (1.09) $ (2.21) $ (2.48) $ (1.04) $ (1.04)
                                    =======  =======  =======  =======  =======
Weighted average shares
 outstanding used in per share
 calculation......................    2,591    2,741    2,920    2,837    3,358
                                    =======  =======  =======  =======  =======
Pro forma basic and diluted net
 loss per share (unaudited).......                    $ (0.78)          $ (0.36)
                                                      =======           =======
Shares used in computing pro forma
 basic and diluted net loss per
 share (unaudited)................                      9,290             9,848
                                                      =======           =======
</TABLE>
 
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                      F-4
<PAGE>
 
                          ACTUATE SOFTWARE CORPORATION
 
           STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (NET CAPITAL DEFICIENCY)
                       (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                                TOTAL
                            CONVERTIBLE                                    NOTE                             STOCKHOLDERS'
                          PREFERRED STOCK    COMMON STOCK    ADDITIONAL RECEIVABLE   DEFERRED                EQUITY (NET
                          ---------------- -----------------  PAID-IN      FROM       STOCK     ACCUMULATED    CAPITAL
                           SHARES   AMOUNT  SHARES    AMOUNT  CAPITAL    OFFICER   COMPENSATION   DEFICIT    DEFICIENCY)
                          --------- ------ ---------  ------ ---------- ---------- ------------ ----------- -------------
<S>                       <C>       <C>    <C>        <C>    <C>        <C>        <C>          <C>         <C>
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31,
 1994...................  4,373,334  $ 4   2,580,000   $ 3    $ 4,513     $ --        $ --       $   (837)     $ 3,683
Issuance of common stock
 for services...........        --   --        6,667   --           1       --          --            --             1
Issuance of common stock
 upon exercise of stock
 options................        --   --      427,500   --          61       (40)        --            --            21
Net loss................        --   --          --    --         --        --          --         (2,835)      (2,835)
                          ---------  ---   ---------   ---    -------     -----       -----      --------      -------
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31,
 1995...................  4,373,334    4   3,014,167     3      4,575       (40)        --         (3,672)         870
Issuance of Series C
 convertible preferred
 stock, net of issuance
 costs of $12...........  1,176,471    1         --    --       3,987       --          --            --         3,988
Issuance of common stock
 for cash...............        --   --       18,530   --           9       --          --            --             9
Issuance of common stock
 upon exercise of stock
 options................        --   --        6,750   --           1       --          --            --             1
Net loss................        --   --          --    --         --        --          --         (6,059)      (6,059)
                          ---------  ---   ---------   ---    -------     -----       -----      --------      -------
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31,
 1996...................  5,549,805    5   3,039,447     3      8,572       (40)        --         (9,731)      (1,191)
Issuance of Series D
 convertible preferred
 stock, net of issuance
 costs of $26...........    939,927    1         --    --       5,828       --          --            --         5,829
Issuance of common stock
 for services...........        --   --        1,605   --           1       --          --            --             1
Issuance of common stock
 upon exercise of stock
 options................        --   --      817,733     1        236       --          --            --           237
Repurchase of common
 stock..................        --   --       (7,500)  --          (3)      --          --            --            (3)
Issuance of common stock
 for acquisition of
 intellectual property..        --   --      125,000   --          77       --          --            --            77
Deferred compensation
 related to grant of
 stock options..........        --   --          --    --         197       --         (197)          --           --
Amortization of deferred
 compensation...........        --   --          --    --         --        --           90           --            90
Net loss................        --   --          --    --         --        --          --         (7,242)      (7,242)
                          ---------  ---   ---------   ---    -------     -----       -----      --------      -------
BALANCE AT DECEMBER 31,
 1997...................  6,489,732    6   3,976,285     4     14,908       (40)       (107)      (16,973)      (2,202)
Issuance of common stock
 upon exercise of stock
 options, net of
 repurchases
 (unaudited)............        --   --       86,983   --         114       --          --            --           114
Deferred compensation
 related to grant of
 stock options
 (unaudited)............        --   --          --    --         619       --         (619)          --           --
Amortization of deferred
 compensation
 (unaudited)............        --   --          --    --         --        --          133           --           133
Net loss (unaudited)....        --   --          --    --         --        --          --         (3,502)      (3,502)
                          ---------  ---   ---------   ---    -------     -----       -----      --------      -------
BALANCE AT JUNE 30, 1998
 (unaudited)............  6,489,732  $ 6   4,063,268   $ 4    $15,641     $ (40)      $(593)     $(20,475)     $(5,457)
                          =========  ===   =========   ===    =======     =====       =====      ========      =======
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                      F-5
<PAGE>
 
                          ACTUATE SOFTWARE CORPORATION
 
                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
                INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
                                 (IN THOUSANDS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         YEARS ENDED            SIX MONTHS
                                        DECEMBER 31,          ENDED JUNE 30,
                                   -------------------------  ----------------
                                    1995     1996     1997     1997     1998
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
                                                                (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net loss.........................  $(2,835) $(6,059) $(7,242) $(2,960) $(3,502)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss
 to net cash used in operating
 activities:
  Amortization of deferred
   compensation..................      --       --        90        1      133
  Depreciation...................       51      170      402      146      315
  Loss on disposal of fixed
   assets........................      --       --       --       --        70
  Issuance of common stock for
   services and intellectual
   property......................        1      --        78      --       --
  Changes in operating assets and
   liabilities:
   Accounts receivable...........       (6)  (1,868)  (1,111)    (839)    (878)
   Other current assets..........      (71)     (89)      (7)      36     (125)
   Accounts payable..............       86      200      547      289      504
   Accrued compensation..........      118      250      629      454      (97)
   Other accrued liabilities.....       49      291    1,339      879    1,261
   Deferred revenue..............      350    3,160    2,512    1,045      636
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
Net cash used in operating
 activities......................   (2,257)  (3,945)  (2,763)    (949)  (1,683)
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of property and
 equipment.......................     (286)    (335)  (1,003)    (429)    (518)
Purchases of short-term
 investments.....................      --       --      (290)    (290)     --
Proceeds from maturity of short-
 term investments................    3,547      --       --       --       290
Increase in other assets.........      (23)     (44)     (53)     (13)     (33)
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
Net cash provided by (used in)
 investing activities............    3,238     (379)  (1,346)    (732)    (261)
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from issuance of common
 stock...........................       21        9      234      136      114
Payments on capital lease
 obligations.....................      (41)    (114)     (93)     (71)     (68)
Proceeds from issuance of
 preferred stock.................      --     3,988    5,829    5,700      --
Proceeds from sale and leaseback
 of equipment....................      232      229      --       --       --
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
Net cash provided by financing
 activities......................      212    4,112    5,970    5,765       46
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
Net increase (decrease) in cash
 and cash equivalents............    1,193     (212)   1,861    4,084   (1,898)
Cash and cash equivalents at
 beginning of year...............       59    1,252    1,040    1,040    2,901
                                   -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
Cash and cash equivalents at end
 of year.........................  $ 1,252  $ 1,040  $ 2,901  $ 5,124  $ 1,003
                                   =======  =======  =======  =======  =======
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF
 NONCASH FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Issuance of common stock for note
 receivable......................  $    40  $   --   $   --   $   --   $   --
                                   =======  =======  =======  =======  =======
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH
 FLOW INFORMATION
Interest paid....................  $    12  $    36  $    81  $    19  $    19
                                   =======  =======  =======  =======  =======
</TABLE>
 
                            See accompanying notes.
 
                                      F-6
<PAGE>
 
                         ACTUATE SOFTWARE CORPORATION
 
                         NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
     (INFORMATION AS OF JUNE 30, 1998 AND RELATING TO THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
                     JUNE 30, 1997 AND 1998 IS UNAUDITED)
 
1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
 ORGANIZATION AND NATURE OF BUSINESS
 
  Actuate Software Corporation (the "Company" or "Actuate") was incorporated
on November 16, 1993 in the State of California. Actuate is a leading provider
of enterprise reporting solutions that enable organizations to systematically
extract, publish and disseminate information across distributed computing
environments. The Company develops and markets software products that are
designed to allow companies to rapidly design, generate and distribute reports
throughout the enterprise, thereby increasing access to and the value of
corporate data.
 
  The Company has incurred operating losses to date and incurred a net loss of
$7.2 million for the year ended December 31, 1997 and $3.5 million for the six
months ended June 30, 1998. At December 31, 1997 and June 30, 1998, the
Company had a working capital deficiency of $3.3 million and $6.8 million,
respectively. The Company anticipates additional debt or equity funding may be
needed to finance expected operations in the fiscal year ending December 31,
1998 and for existing obligations. If such additional funding is not
available, management believes, based on anticipated obligations, that
available resources will be sufficient to enable the Company to meet its
obligations through at least December 31, 1998. If anticipated operations are
not achieved, management has the intent and believes it has the ability to
delay or reduce expenditures so as not to require additional financial
resources if such resources were not available (see Note 10--Bank Line of
Credit).
 
 INTERIM FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
  The financial information as of June 30, 1998, and for the six months ended
June 30, 1997 and 1998 are unaudited but include all adjustments (consisting
only of normal recurring adjustments) which the Company considers necessary
for a fair presentation of the financial position at such date and the
operating results and cash flows for those periods. Results for the six months
ended June 30, 1998 are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected
for the entire year.
 
 INVESTMENT IN AFFILIATE
 
  In 1996, the Company made an equity investment of approximately $95,000 in
Actuate Japan Company Ltd. ("Actuate Japan"). This represented approximately
8.3% of the outstanding voting stock of Actuate Japan. This investment is
accounted for on the equity basis due to the Company's ability to exercise
significant influence. During 1996, the Company loaned a total of $160,000 in
the form of loans. An additional $100,000 was advanced in 1997. At June 30,
1998, the remaining investment balance was $106,000. To date, Actuate Japan
has been primarily funded by investors other than the Company. The Company
believes that such investments will continue until the stage at which Actuate
Japan generates cash from its own operations. The Company will continue to
assess the recoverability of the remaining loan balance.
 
 USE OF ESTIMATES
 
  The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and
the accompanying notes. Actual results could differ materially from these
estimates.
 
 NET REVENUE
 
  The Company recognizes revenue from license fees when a non-cancelable
license agreement has been signed with an end user customer or indirect
channel partner, the software product covered by the license agreement has
been shipped, there are no uncertainties surrounding product
 
                                      F-7
<PAGE>
 
                         ACTUATE SOFTWARE CORPORATION
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
     (INFORMATION AS OF JUNE 30, 1998 AND RELATING TO THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
                     JUNE 30, 1997 AND 1998 IS UNAUDITED)
 
acceptance, the license fees are fixed and determinable, and collection of the
license fee is considered probable. The Company's products do not require
significant customization.
 
  Revenue from license fees from sales of software products directly to end-
users is recognized as revenue after execution of a license agreement or
receipt of a definitive purchase order, and shipment of the product, if no
significant vendor obligations remain and collection of the resulting
receivables is deemed probable. The majority of end user license revenues are
derived from end user customer orders for specific individual products. These
types of transactions are recognized as revenue upon shipment of product.
Advance payments from end-users, in arrangements in which the end user
customer has the right to future unspecified products, are deferred and
recognized as revenue ratably over the estimated term of the period, typically
one year, during which the end-user is entitled to receive the products.
 
  License arrangements with enterprise application vendors, resellers and
distributors generally take the form of either (a) fixed price arrangements in
which the contracting entity has the right to the unlimited usage and resale
of the licensed software for a specified term and pursuant to which license
fee revenue is deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis over the term
of the license agreement or (b) arrangements pursuant to which a royalty is
paid to the Company, which the Company recognizes as revenue based on the
enterprise application vendor's sell-through.
 
  Service revenues are primarily comprised of revenue from maintenance
agreements, training and consulting fees. Revenue from maintenance agreements
is deferred and recognized on a straight-line basis as service revenue over
the life of the related agreement, which is typically one year. Service
revenues from training and consulting are recognized upon completion of the
work to be performed.
 
  In October 1997, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
issued Statement of Position 97-2, "Software Revenue Recognition" ("SOP 97-
2"). Effective January 1, 1998, the Company adopted SOP 97-2. SOP 97-2
generally requires revenue earned on software arrangements involving multiple
elements such as software products, upgrades, enhancements, postcontract
customer support, installation and training to be allocated to each element
based on the relative fair values of the elements. The fair value of an
element must be based on evidence which is specific to the vendor. Evidence of
the fair value of each element is based on the price charged when the element
is sold separately, or if the element is not being sold separately, the price
for each element established by management having relevant authority. The
revenue allocated to software products, including specified upgrades or
enhancements, generally is recognized upon delivery of the products. The
revenue allocated to unspecified upgrades and updates and postcontract
customer support generally is recognized as the services are performed. If
evidence of the fair value for all elements of the arrangement does not exist,
all revenue from the arrangement is deferred until such evidence exists or
until all elements are delivered. There was no material change to the
Company's accounting for revenues as a result of the adoption of SOP 97-2.
 
 CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS AND SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
 
  Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash deposited with banks and highly
liquid high quality debt securities with original maturities of 90 days or
less. All short-term investments are classified as available-for-sale, are
carried at amortized cost, which approximates fair value, and consist of high
quality debt securities with original maturities between 90 days and one year.
 
 CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK
 
  Financial instruments that potentially subject the Company to concentration
of credit risk consist principally of marketable investments and accounts
receivable. The Company places its investments
 
                                      F-8
<PAGE>
 
                         ACTUATE SOFTWARE CORPORATION
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
     (INFORMATION AS OF JUNE 30, 1998 AND RELATING TO THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
                     JUNE 30, 1997 AND 1998 IS UNAUDITED)
 
with high-credit-quality multiple issuers. The Company sells to a diverse
customer base primarily to customers in the United States. No single customer
accounts for more than 10% of the Company's sales. Sales for the year ended
December 31, 1997 and the six months ended June 30, 1998 are shown net of
customer returns of approximately $290,000 and $330,000, respectively. The
Company does not require collateral on sales with credit terms. During the
years ended
December 31, 1996 and 1997, respectively, the Company added approximately
$82,000 and $630,000 to its bad debt reserves. Total write-offs of
uncollectible amounts were zero and approximately $139,000 in these years,
respectively.
 
 FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
 
  The fair values for marketable debt securities are based on quoted market
prices. The carrying value of these securities approximate their fair value.
 
  The fair value of notes is estimated by discounting the future cash flows
using the current rates at which similar loans would be made to borrowers with
similar credit ratings and for the same remaining maturities. The carrying
value of the note receivable from officer approximates the fair value.
 
  The fair value of short-term and long-term capital lease obligations is
estimated based on current interest rates available to the Company for debt
instruments with similar terms, degree of risk and remaining maturities. The
carrying value of these obligations approximates their respective fair values.
 
 RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
 
  Research and development expenditures are expensed to operations as
incurred. Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 86, "Accounting for
the Costs of Computer Software to be Sold, Leased or Otherwise Marketed,"
requires capitalization of certain software development costs subsequent to
the establishment of technological feasibility. Based on the Company's product
development process, technological feasibility is established upon completion
of a working model. Costs incurred by the Company between completion of the
working model and the point at which the product is ready for general release
have been insignificant. Through December 31, 1997, all research and
development costs have been expensed.
 
 PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
 
  Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation.
Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated
useful lives of the respective assets which range from three to five years.
Assets held under capital leases are amortized over the shorter of the asset
life or the remaining lease term. The related amortization expense is included
in depreciation expense.
 
 STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
 
  The Company grants stock options for a fixed number of shares to employees
with an exercise price equal to the fair value of the shares at the date of
grant. In accordance with the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation" ("SFAS 123"), the
Company has elected to follow Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25
("APB 25"), "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" and related
interpretations and to adopt the pro forma disclosure alternative as described
in SFAS 123 in accounting for its employee stock option plan (see Note 8).
 
                                      F-9
<PAGE>
 
                         ACTUATE SOFTWARE CORPORATION
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
     (INFORMATION AS OF JUNE 30, 1998 AND RELATING TO THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
                     JUNE 30, 1997 AND 1998 IS UNAUDITED)
 
 
 NET LOSS PER SHARE
 
  Net loss per share is presented under Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 128 "Earnings Per Share" ("SFAS 128"). SFAS 128 requires the
presentation of basic earnings (loss) per share and diluted earnings (loss)
per share, if more dilutive, for all periods presented. Pursuant to SEC Staff
Accounting Bulletin No. 98, common stock and convertible preferred stock
issued for nominal consideration, prior to the anticipated effective date of
the IPO are included in the calculation of basic and diluted net loss per
share as if they had been outstanding for all periods presented. To date, the
Company has not had any issuances or grants for nominal consideration.
 
  In accordance with SFAS 128, basic net loss per share has been computed
using the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding during
the period. Basic pro forma net loss per share as presented in the statement
of operations has been computed as described above and also gives effect,
under Securities and Exchange Commission guidance, to the conversion of the
convertible preferred stock that will automatically convert upon completion of
the Company's proposed initial public offering (using the if-converted method)
from the original date of issuance. If the offering contemplated by this
Prospectus is consummated, all of the convertible preferred stock outstanding
as of June 30, 1998 will automatically be converted into an aggregate of
6,489,732 shares of common stock, based on the shares of convertible preferred
stock outstanding as of June 30, 1998. Unaudited pro forma stockholders'
equity at June 30, 1998, as adjusted for the conversion of convertible
preferred stock, is disclosed on the balance sheet.
 
  A reconciliation of shares used in the calculation of basic and diluted and
pro forma net loss per share follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 SIX MONTHS
                                          YEARS ENDED               ENDED
                                         DECEMBER 31,             JUNE 30,
                                    -------------------------  ----------------
                                     1995     1996     1997     1997     1998
                                    -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
                                                                 (UNAUDITED)
<S>                                 <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
Net loss..........................  $(2,835) $(6,059) $(7,242) $(2,960) $(3,502)
Basic and diluted:
  Weighted-average shares of
   common stock outstanding.......    2,728    3,033    3,578    3,289    4,015
  Weighted-average shares subject
   to repurchase..................     (137)    (292)    (658)    (452)    (657)
                                    -------  -------  -------  -------  -------
Shares used in computing basic and
 diluted net loss per share.......    2,591    2,741    2,920    2,837    3,358
                                    =======  =======  =======  =======  =======
Basic and diluted net loss per
 share............................  $ (1.09) $ (2.21) $ (2.48) $ (1.04) $ (1.04)
                                    =======  =======  =======  =======  =======
Pro forma:
 Shares used above
  Adjusted to reflect the weighted
   effect of the assumed
   conversion of convertible
   preferred stock................                      6,370             6,490
                                                      -------           -------
  Shares used in computing pro
   forma basic and diluted net
   loss per share.................                      9,290             9,848
                                                      =======           =======
  Pro forma basic and diluted net
   loss per share (unaudited).....                    $ (0.78)          $ (0.36)
                                                      =======           =======
</TABLE>
 
                                     F-10
<PAGE>
 
                         ACTUATE SOFTWARE CORPORATION
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
     (INFORMATION AS OF JUNE 30, 1998 AND RELATING TO THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
                     JUNE 30, 1997 AND 1998 IS UNAUDITED)
 
 
  Had the Company been in a net income position, diluted earnings per share
for fiscal year 1997 and the six months ended June 30, 1998 would have
included the shares used in the computation of pro forma basic net loss per
share as well as the dilutive effect of 229,270 and 517,718 shares,
respectively, related to outstanding options, calculated using the treasury
method.
 
 COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 
  In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive
Income," ("SFAS 130") which will be required to be adopted by the Company in
the year ended December 31, 1998. The Company adopted SFAS 130 in the six
months ended June 30, 1998. There was no impact to the Company as a result of
the adoption of SFAS 130, as there is no difference between the Company's
reported net loss and the comprehensive net loss under SFAS 130 for the
periods presented.
 
 SEGMENTS
 
  In June 1997, the FASB issued SFAS 131, "Disclosure About Segments of an
Enterprise and Related Information." SFAS 131 is effective for the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1998 and establishes standards for disclosures about
products, geographies and major customers. The Company expects that
implementation of this standard will not have a material effect on its
financial statement disclosures.
 
2. INVESTMENT IN AFFILIATE
 
  In March 1996, the Company established a joint venture company in Japan with
six other corporate partners, receiving approximately 8.3% of the equity
ownership of the venture known as Actuate Japan. For the year ended December
31, 1997 and the six months ended June 30, 1998, royalties received from sales
made by Actuate Japan were approximately $56,000 and $34,000, respectively.
 
  The Company has a call option for all of the shares issued to the other
investors. The price to purchase the remaining (approximately 92%) of Actuate
Japan at December 31, 1997 would have been a maximum of 220,000,000 yen
(approximately $1,680,000). In the event of a purchase of the remaining 92%
interests of the other Actuate Japan stockholders, the Company would attribute
the purchase price to the identified assets and liabilities at the date of
acquisition. If the remaining excess purchase price, attributed to goodwill
arising on the acquisition, was considered to be impaired, such amount would
be expensed based upon a measured impairment based on future cash flows using
management's best estimates and assumptions at the time of acquisition. The
potential range that the Company could be required to pay for the remaining
92% interests ranges from approximately $1.2 million (based on current
exchange rates) as of April 1999 (the earliest potential date for exercise of
the put) through approximately $2.6 million (based on current exchange rates)
as of April 2001.
 
  In March 1999, or nine months following a public offering of the Company,
the other corporate partners have the right to cause at their discretion the
Company to buy all of their outstanding shares, at a specified price, for
securities of the Company, cash or through the reduction of a future royalty
stream.
 
                                     F-11
<PAGE>
 
                         ACTUATE SOFTWARE CORPORATION
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
     (INFORMATION AS OF JUNE 30, 1998 AND RELATING TO THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
                     JUNE 30, 1997 AND 1998 IS UNAUDITED)
 
 
3. SHARE PURCHASE AGREEMENT
 
  The Company has entered into an agreement with Actuate B.V. pursuant to
which Actuate B.V. has established subsidiaries in France, Germany and the
United Kingdom. Each of these subsidiaries of Actuate B.V. have the exclusive
right (other than with respect to value added resellers who have been or will
be granted worldwide distribution rights) to distribute the Company's products
and use the Company's name in Belgium, France, Germany, Switzerland and the
United Kingdom, in exchange for a 50% royalty on sales of the Company's
products by these entities. Beginning six months after the effective date of a
public offering of the Company's securities, Actuate B.V. may at its
discretion request the Company to purchase its outstanding shares at a price
approximately equal to its last twelve months' revenues. The Company has a
right of first refusal on any transfer of ownership interest in the B.V. On
July 1, 1999, and subsequently, the Company may request the Actuate B.V.
stockholders to sell all of the outstanding shares of the B.V. to the Company
based on the above pricing formula. The failure of the Company to purchase the
shares upon the request of the B.V. stockholders will cause the licenses held
by the subsidiaries of Actuate B.V. to become perpetual and royalty free.
 
4. SHORT-TERM INVESTMENTS
 
  The following table summarizes the amortized cost, which approximates the
fair value of the Company's investments and their contractual maturities (in
thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    DECEMBER 31,
                                                                        1997
                                                                    ------------
   <S>                                                              <C>
   Corporate debt obligations......................................    $2,073
                                                                       ======
   Included in cash and cash equivalents...........................    $1,783
   Included in short-term investments..............................       290
                                                                       ------
   Due within one year.............................................    $2,073
                                                                       ======
</TABLE>
 
  Unrealized gains and losses at December 31, 1997 and realized gains and
losses for the year ended December 31, 1997 were not material.
 
5. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
 
  Property and equipment consists of the following (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  DECEMBER 31,
                                                                  -------------
                                                                  1996    1997
                                                                  -----  ------
   <S>                                                            <C>    <C>
   Furniture and fixtures........................................ $ 105  $  282
   Computers and purchased software..............................   624   1,450
                                                                  -----  ------
                                                                    729   1,732
   Less accumulated depreciation.................................  (234)   (636)
                                                                  -----  ------
   Property and equipment, net................................... $ 495  $1,096
                                                                  =====  ======
</TABLE>
 
  Property and equipment includes certain furniture, computers and equipment
financed under capital leases. The cost and accumulated depreciation of such
assets under capital leases was
 
                                     F-12
<PAGE>
 
                         ACTUATE SOFTWARE CORPORATION
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
     (INFORMATION AS OF JUNE 30, 1998 AND RELATING TO THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
                     JUNE 30, 1997 AND 1998 IS UNAUDITED)
 
approximately $564,000 and $213,000 at December 31, 1996 and $564,000 and
$381,000 at December 31, 1997, respectively.
 
6. NOTE RECEIVABLE
 
  As of December 31, 1996 and 1997, the Company had outstanding a note
receivable under full recourse terms from an officer of the Company in the
amount of $40,375, for the issuance of 269,167 shares of common stock upon
exercise of the stockholders stock options. Interest accrues at the rate of
6.28% per annum. The entire principal balance, together with all accrued
interest, becomes due and payable in one lump sum on September 22, 2000.
 
7. COMMITMENTS
 
 OPERATING LEASE COMMITMENTS
 
  The Company leases its facilities under noncancelable operating leases
expiring in May 2000 and May 2002. The Company also leases equipment under
operating lease agreements. Rent expense for facilities under operating leases
was approximately $96,000, $189,000 and $441,000 for the years ended December
31, 1995, 1996 and 1997, respectively. Future minimal rental commitments under
operating leases are as follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
   <S>                                                                    <C>
   Fiscal year
    1998................................................................. $  781
    1999.................................................................    767
    2000.................................................................    689
    2001.................................................................    633
    2002.................................................................    345
                                                                          ------
                                                                          $3,215
                                                                          ======
</TABLE>
 
 CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS
 
  The Company leases certain furniture, computers and equipment under
noncancelable capital leases resulting from sale and leaseback transactions.
Obligations under capital leases represent the present value of future
noncancelable rental payments under various lease agreements. Upon completion
of each lease, the Company has the option to renew the lease or purchase the
equipment for 15% of the original purchase price.
 
  Future minimum lease payments under capital leases are as follows (in
thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    DECEMBER 31,
                                                                        1997
                                                                    ------------
   <S>                                                              <C>
   Fiscal year ended
    1998...........................................................    $ 158
    1999...........................................................      102
    2000...........................................................       36
                                                                       -----
   Total minimum lease payments....................................      296
   Less amount representing interest...............................      (47)
                                                                       -----
   Present value of net minimum lease payments.....................      249
   Less current portion............................................     (125)
                                                                       -----
   Long-term portion...............................................    $ 124
                                                                       =====
</TABLE>
 
                                     F-13
<PAGE>
 
                         ACTUATE SOFTWARE CORPORATION
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
     (INFORMATION AS OF JUNE 30, 1998 AND RELATING TO THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
                     JUNE 30, 1997 AND 1998 IS UNAUDITED)
 
 
8. STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 CONVERTIBLE PREFERRED STOCK
 
  A summary of convertible preferred stock is as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        DECEMBER 31,
                            ---------------------------------------------------------------------
                                           1996                               1997
                            ---------------------------------- ----------------------------------
                                       ISSUED AND  LIQUIDATION            ISSUED AND  LIQUIDATION
                            AUTHORIZED OUTSTANDING PREFERENCE  AUTHORIZED OUTSTANDING PREFERENCE
                            ---------- ----------- ----------- ---------- ----------- -----------
   <S>                      <C>        <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>
   Series A................ 2,040,000   2,040,000  $1,020,000   2,040,000  2,040,000  $ 1,020,000
   Series B................ 2,333,334   2,333,334   3,500,001   2,333,334  2,333,334    3,500,001
   Series B1............... 2,333,334         --          --    2,333,334        --           --
   Series C................ 1,176,471   1,176,471   4,000,001   1,176,471  1,176,471    4,000,001
   Series C1............... 1,176,471         --          --    1,176,471        --           --
   Series D................       --          --          --      939,927    939,927    5,855,745
   Series D1...............       --          --          --      939,927        --           --
                            ---------   ---------  ----------  ----------  ---------  -----------
                            9,059,610   5,549,805  $8,520,002  10,939,464  6,489,732  $14,375,747
                            =========   =========  ==========  ==========  =========  ===========
</TABLE>
 
  Each share of Series A, B, B1, C, C1, D and D1 preferred stock is
convertible, at the option of the holder, into a share of common stock, on a
one-for-one basis, subject to certain adjustments for dilution, if any,
resulting from future stock issuances or stock splits or combinations.
Additionally, the preferred shares automatically convert into common stock
concurrent with the closing of an underwritten public offering of common stock
under the Securities Act of 1933 in which the Company receives at least
$10,000,000 in gross proceeds and the price per share is at least $9.00
(subject to adjustment for a recapitalization or certain other stock
adjustments). With the exception of certain protective voting provisions, the
Series A, B, B1, C, C1, D and D1 preferred stockholders have voting rights
equal to the common shares they would own upon conversion.
 
  Series A, B, B1, C, C1, D and D1 preferred stockholders are entitled to
annual noncumulative dividends, before and in preference to any dividends paid
on common stock, when and as declared by the board of directors. No dividends
have been declared through December 31, 1997.
 
  The Series A, B, B1, C, C1, D and D1 preferred stockholders are entitled to
receive, upon liquidation or merger, a distribution of $0.50, $1.50, $1.50,
$3.40, $3.40, $6.23 and $6.23 per share, respectively (subject to adjustment
for a recapitalization) plus all declared but unpaid dividends. Thereafter,
the remaining assets and funds, if any, shall be distributed ratably on a per-
share basis among the common stockholders and the Series A, B, B1, C, C1, D
and D1 preferred stockholders.
 
  If, upon liquidation, the assets and funds distributed among the preferred
stockholders are insufficient to permit the entitled payment, the entire
assets and funds of the Company legally available for distribution shall be
distributed ratably among the holders of Series A, B, B1, C, C1, D and D1
preferred shares in proportion to the aggregate preferential amounts owed to
each such holder.
 
  After the earlier of December 1, 1998 or three months after the effective
date of the first registration statement for a public offering of the
Company's securities, at least 30% of the preferred stockholders may request
the Company to file a registration statement for aggregate proceeds in excess
of $7,500,000, as defined in the agreement. No more than two such registration
statements may be requested and such request may be deferred for up to 120
days in the event that the CEO of the Company considers such filing to be
detrimental to the Company. The preferred stockholders also hold certain
additional registration rights.
 
                                     F-14
<PAGE>
 
                         ACTUATE SOFTWARE CORPORATION
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
     (INFORMATION AS OF JUNE 30, 1998 AND RELATING TO THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
                     JUNE 30, 1997 AND 1998 IS UNAUDITED)
 
 
  The Company's Articles of Incorporation designate the rights, preferences
and privileges of Series B1, C1 and D1 preferred stock. Shares of Series B1,
C1 and D1 preferred stock are automatically issuable in the event that a
holder of the Company's Series B, C or D preferred stock does not purchase its
pro rata share of a dilutive equity financing of the Company. If a holder
chooses not to participate for its pro rata share of a dilutive equity
financing, each share of the Series B, C or D preferred stock, as applicable,
is automatically converted upon closing of the financing into one share of the
derivative series of preferred stock, either Series B1, C1 or D1 preferred
stock, as applicable. The Series B1, C1 and D1 preferred shares have the
identical rights as the original Series B, C and D preferred shares except
that the Series B1, C1 and D1 preferred stock have no price-based antidilution
protection.
 
 COMMON STOCK
 
  As of December 31, 1996 and 1997, the Company has reserved 5,549,805 and
6,489,732 shares of common stock, respectively, for issuance upon conversion
of its Series A, B and C preferred stock.
 
 STOCK OPTION PLAN
 
  In May 1994, the board of directors adopted the 1994 Stock Option Plan (the
"Option Plan") for issuance of common stock to employees, consultants and
nonemployee directors. There are 2,097,100 shares of common stock reserved for
issuance under this Plan as of December 31,1997.
 
  Options granted may be either incentive stock options or nonstatutory stock
options. Incentive stock options may be granted to employees with exercise
prices of no less than the fair value and nonstatutory options may be granted
to eligible participants at exercise prices of no less than 85% of the fair
value of the common stock on the grant date as determined by the Plan
Administrator. Options are generally exercisable upon grant, subject to
repurchase rights by the Company until vested. Shares generally vest at the
rate of 20% after one year from the date of grant, with the remaining balance
vesting monthly over the next four years. However, the Company has the
discretion to accelerate the vesting at the time an option is granted or at
any time while the option remains outstanding. All options outstanding will
automatically vest at the time of an acquisition, unless the option is either
assumed by the successor corporation or the option is replaced with a cash
incentive program to preserve the spread existing between the fair value and
the exercise price.
 
  At December 31, 1996 and 1997, 260,293 and 770,436 shares of common stock
issued under the Plan were subject to repurchase by the Company, respectively.
All outstanding repurchase rights under the Plan shall terminate automatically
upon the occurrence of any merger, consolidation, or disposition of all or
substantially all of the Company's assets, except to the extent the repurchase
rights are expressly assigned to the successor corporation.
 
                                     F-15
<PAGE>
 
                         ACTUATE SOFTWARE CORPORATION
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
     (INFORMATION AS OF JUNE 30, 1998 AND RELATING TO THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
                     JUNE 30, 1997 AND 1998 IS UNAUDITED)
 
 
  Activity under the Plan was as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            OUTSTANDING OPTIONS
                                 SHARES    ----------------------   WEIGHTED-
                               AVAILABLE   NUMBER OF   PRICE PER     AVERAGE
                               FOR GRANT    SHARES       SHARE    EXERCISE PRICE
                               ----------  ---------  ----------- --------------
   <S>                         <C>         <C>        <C>         <C>
   Balance at December 31,
    1994.....................     815,500     25,000  $      0.03     $0.03
     Options granted.........    (815,500)   815,500  $      0.15     $0.15
     Options exercised.......         --    (427,500) $0.03-$0.15     $0.14
                               ----------  ---------  -----------
   Balance at December 31,
    1995.....................         --     413,000  $      0.15     $0.15
     Additional
      authorization..........     182,000        --           --        --
     Options granted.........    (159,500)   159,500  $0.15-$0.34     $0.29
     Options exercised.......         --      (6,750) $      0.15     $0.15
     Options forfeited.......      56,000    (56,000) $0.15-$0.34     $0.18
                               ----------  ---------  -----------
   Balance at December 31,
    1996.....................      78,500    509,750  $0.15-$0.34     $0.19
     Additional
      authorization..........   1,074,600        --           --        --
     Options granted.........  (1,146,350) 1,146,350  $0.34-$2.10     $0.81
     Options exercised.......         --    (817,733) $0.15-$1.25     $0.29
     Options forfeited.......      36,417    (36,417) $0.15-$0.62     $0.34
     Options repurchased.....       7,500        --   $      0.34     $0.34
                               ----------  ---------  -----------
   Balance at December 31,
    1997.....................      50,667    801,950  $0.15-$2.10     $2.60
     Additional authorization
      (unaudited)............     678,250        --           --        --
     Options granted
      (unaudited)............    (525,900)   525,900  $2.10-$8.25     $5.84
     Options exercised
      (unaudited)............         --    (129,750) $0.15-$3.00     $0.97
     Options forfeited
      (unaudited)............     151,800   (151,800) $0.34-$5.00     $1.09
     Options repurchased
      (unaudited)............      42,767        --         $0.34     $0.34
                               ----------  ---------  -----------
     Balance at June 30, 1998
      (unaudited)............     397,584  1,046,300  $0.15-$8.25     $3.41
                               ==========  =========  ===========
</TABLE>
 
  The weighted-average deemed fair value of stock options granted in fiscal
year 1996 and 1997 was $0.05 and $0.21, respectively.
 
  The following table summarizes information concerning outstanding and
exercisable options:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1997
                         --------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    WEIGHTED-
                                                     AVERAGE
        RANGE OF             OPTIONS                REMAINING              WEIGHTED-
        EXERCISE         OUTSTANDING AND           CONTRACTUAL              AVERAGE
         PRICES            EXERCISABLE                LIFE               EXERCISE PRICE
        --------         ---------------           -----------           --------------
       <S>               <C>                       <C>                   <C>
       $0.15-$0.62           489,450                9.3 years                $0.46
       $1.25-$2.10           312,500                9.8 years                $1.77
                             -------
       $0.15-$2.10           801,950                9.5 years                $0.97
                             =======
</TABLE>
 
  At December 31, 1996 and 1997, 117,099 and 26,037 outstanding options were
vested, respectively.
 
 STOCK COMPENSATION
 
  The Company recorded deferred compensation of approximately $197,000 and
$619,000 during the year ended December 31, 1997 and six months ended June 30,
1998, respectively. These amounts represent the difference between the
exercise price and the deemed fair value of the Company's common stock during
the periods in which such stock options were granted. The Company
 
                                     F-16
<PAGE>
 
                         ACTUATE SOFTWARE CORPORATION
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
     (INFORMATION AS OF JUNE 30, 1998 AND RELATING TO THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
                     JUNE 30, 1997 AND 1998 IS UNAUDITED)
 
recorded amortization of deferred compensation as an expense of approximately
$90,000 and $133,000, respectively, during these periods. At June 30, 1998,
the Company has a total of approximately $593,000 remaining to be amortized
over the corresponding vesting period of each respective option, generally
five years.
 
 PRO FORMA INFORMATION
 
  The Company has elected to follow APB 25 and related interpretations in
accounting for its employee stock options because, as discussed below, the
alternative fair value accounting provided for under SFAS 123 requires use of
option valuation models that were not developed for use in valuing employee
stock options. Under APB 25, because the exercise price of the Company's
employee stock options equals the market price of the underlying stock on the
date of the grant, no compensation expense is recognized.
 
  Pro forma information regarding net loss is required by SFAS 123, and has
been determined as if the Company had accounted for its employee stock options
granted subsequent to December 31, 1994 under the fair value method of SFAS
123. The fair value for these options was estimated at the date of grant using
the minimum value method with the following weighted-average assumptions for
fiscal year 1995, 1996 and 1997: risk-free interest rate of approximately
6.6%, 6.0% and 6.0%, respectively; a weighted-average expected life of the
option of five years and a dividend yield of zero for all periods.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                   YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                  ----------------------------
                                                    1995      1996      1997
                                                  --------  --------  --------
   <S>                                            <C>       <C>       <C>
   Net loss (in thousands):
     As reported................................. $ (2,835) $ (6,059) $ (7,242)
     Pro forma................................... $ (2,840) $ (6,067) $ (7,270)
   Basic and diluted net loss per share:
     As reported................................. $  (1.09) $  (2.21) $  (2.48)
     Pro forma................................... $  (1.10) $  (2.21) $  (2.49)
</TABLE>
 
9. INCOME TAXES
 
  As of December 31, 1997, the Company had federal net operating loss
carryforwards of approximately $14,800,000. The Company also had federal
research and development tax credit carryforwards of approximately $300,000 at
December 31, 1997. The net operating loss and credit carryforwards will expire
beginning in 2008 through 2012, if not utilized.
 
  Utilization of the net operating losses and credits may be subject to a
substantial annual limitation due to the "change in ownership" provisions of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and similar state provisions. The annual
limitation may result in the expiration of net operating losses and credits
before utilization.
 
                                     F-17
<PAGE>
 
                         ACTUATE SOFTWARE CORPORATION
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
     (INFORMATION AS OF JUNE 30, 1998 AND RELATING TO THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
                     JUNE 30, 1997 AND 1998 IS UNAUDITED)
 
 
  Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences
between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting
purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components
of the Company's deferred tax assets for federal and state income taxes are as
follows (in thousands):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                DECEMBER 31,
                                                               ----------------
                                                                1996     1997
                                                               -------  -------
   <S>                                                         <C>      <C>
   Net operating loss carryforwards........................... $ 3,300  $ 5,200
   Research credit carryforwards..............................     200      500
   Capitalized research and development.......................     200      300
   Warranty reserve...........................................     --       400
   Other, net.................................................     200      400
                                                               -------  -------
   Total deferred tax assets..................................   3,900    6,800
   Valuation allowance........................................  (3,900)  (6,800)
                                                               -------  -------
                                                               $   --   $   --
                                                               =======  =======
</TABLE>
 
  The net valuation allowance increased by $2,300,000 during the year ended
December 31, 1996.
 
10. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
 BANK LINE OF CREDIT
 
  On May 26, 1998, the Company obtained a bank line of credit which provides
for up to $5.0 million in borrowings. The Company can borrow up to 80% of
eligible accounts receivable against the line of credit. The interest rate on
borrowed amounts is prime plus 2.25%. The Company is required to comply with
various financial covenants, is prohibited from paying dividends and the
Company must deposit $3.0 million of the proceeds of the proposed initial
public offering with the lender through May 25, 1999, the maturity date of the
line of credit.
 
 REINCORPORATION, AMENDMENT TO THE ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION
 
  During May 1998, the Company's Board of Directors authorized the
reincorporation, effective prior to the Company's initial public offering, of
the Company in the State of Delaware. Upon reincorporation, the Company will
be authorized to issue 35,000,000 shares of Common Stock, $0.001 par value and
5,000,000 shares of undesignated Preferred Stock, $0.001 par value. Such
reincorporation was effected on July 7, 1998.
 
 1998 EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN
 
  On May 27, 1998, the Company's Board of Directors adopted the 1998 Equity
Incentive Plan (the "Plan"), subject to stockholder approval. A total of
1,300,000 shares were reserved for issuance under the Plan, including any
shares remaining available for grant under the 1994 Stock Option Plan. Each
year, the number of shares reserved for issuance under the Plan will be
increased by the lesser of 700,000 shares or 5% of the total number of shares
of Common Stock then outstanding.
 
 1998 EMPLOYEE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN
 
  On May 27, 1998, the Company's Board of Directors adopted the 1998 Employee
Stock Purchase Plan (the "Purchase Plan"), subject to stockholder approval. A
total of 250,000 shares of Common
 
                                     F-18
<PAGE>
 
                         ACTUATE SOFTWARE CORPORATION
 
                  NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(CONTINUED)
     (INFORMATION AS OF JUNE 30, 1998 AND RELATING TO THE SIX MONTHS ENDED
                     JUNE 30, 1997 AND 1998 IS UNAUDITED)
 
Stock have been reserved for issuance thereunder with annual increases of
150,000 shares. The Purchase Plan permits eligible employees to acquire shares
of the Company's Common Stock through periodic payroll deductions of up to 15%
of base compensation. No more than 1,000 shares may be purchased on any
purchase date per employee. Each offering period will have a maximum duration
of 24 months. The price at which the Common Stock may be purchased is 85% of
the lesser of the fair market value of the Company's Common Stock on the first
day of the applicable offering period or on the last day of the respective
purchase period. The initial offering period will commence on the
effectiveness of the initial public offering and will end on July 31, 2000.
 
 1998 NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS OPTION PLAN
 
  On May 27, 1998, the Company's Board of Directors adopted the 1998 Non-
Employee Directors Option Plan (the "Directors Option Plan"), subject to
approval by the stockholders. For issuance under the Directors Option Plan,
200,000 shares of Common Stock have been authorized. No shares have been
issued to date. Each individual who joins the Board as a non-employee director
on or after the effective date of the Directors Option Plan and after the date
of the initial public offering will receive at that time an automatic option
grant of 20,000 shares of Common Stock. The initial grant will vest over 5
years, with the first 20% of the grant vesting after one year. Additional
grants of 2,500 shares per annum will automatically be made at each annual
stockholder meeting to each non-employee director.
 
                                     F-19
<PAGE>
 
                                 UNDERWRITING
 
  Subject to the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement, the
Company and the Selling Stockholders have agreed to sell to each of the
Underwriters named below, and each of such Underwriters, for whom Goldman,
Sachs & Co. and Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation are acting as
representatives (the "Representatives"), has severally agreed to purchase from
the Company and the Selling Stockholders, the respective number of shares of
Common Stock set forth opposite its name below:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       NUMBER OF
                                                                       SHARES OF
                                                                        COMMON
                               UNDERWRITER                               STOCK
                               -----------                             ---------
   <S>                                                                 <C>
   Goldman, Sachs & Co. .............................................. 1,440,000
   Credit Suisse First Boston Corporation.............................   960,000
   BancAmerica Robertson Stephens.....................................   100,000
   BT Alex. Brown Incorporated........................................   100,000
   Dain Rauscher Wessels
    A Division of Dain Rauscher Incorporated..........................   100,000
   Needham & Company, Inc.............................................   100,000
   Piper Jaffray Inc. ................................................   100,000
   SG Cowen Securities Corporation....................................   100,000
                                                                       ---------
       Total.......................................................... 3,000,000
                                                                       =========
</TABLE>
 
  Under the terms and conditions of the Underwriting Agreement, the
Underwriters are committed to take and pay for all of the shares offered
hereby, if any are taken.
 
  The Underwriters propose to offer the shares of Common Stock in part
directly to the public at the initial public offering price set forth on the
cover page of this Prospectus and in part to certain securities dealers at
such price less a concession of $0.43 per share. The Underwriters may allow,
and such dealers may reallow, a concession not in excess of $0.10 per share to
certain brokers and dealers. After the shares of Common Stock are released for
sale to the public, the offering price and other selling terms may from time
to time be varied by the representatives.
 
  The Company and the Selling Stockholders have granted the Underwriters an
option exercisable for 30 days after the date of this Prospectus to purchase
up to an aggregate of 450,000 additional shares of Common Stock to cover over-
allotments, if any. If the Underwriters exercise their over-allotment option,
the Underwriters have severally agreed, subject to certain conditions, to
purchase approximately the same percentage thereof that the number of shares
to be purchased by each of them, as shown in the foregoing table, bears to the
3,000,000 shares of Common Stock offered.
 
  The Company and Selling Stockholders have agreed that, during the period
beginning from the date of this Prospectus and continuing to and including the
date 180 days after the date of the Prospectus, they will not offer, sell,
contract to sell or otherwise dispose of any securities of the Company (other
than pursuant to employee stock option plans existing, or on the conversion or
exchange of convertible or exchangeable securities outstanding, on the date of
this Prospectus) which are substantially similar to the shares of Common Stock
or which are convertible into or exchangeable for securities which are
substantially similar to the shares of Common Stock without the prior written
consent of the representatives, except for the shares of Common Stock offered
in connection with the offering.
 
  The representatives of the Underwriters have informed the Company that they
do not expect sales to accounts over which the Underwriters exercise
discretionary authority to exceed five percent of the total number of shares
of Common Stock offered by them.
 
 
                                      U-1
<PAGE>
 
  Prior to this offering, there has been no public market for the Common Stock
of the Company. Consequently, the initial public offering price for the Common
Stock offered hereby was determined through negotiations among the Company,
the Selling Stockholders and the Representatives. Among the factors considered
in determining the initial public offering price of the Common Stock, in
addition to prevailing market conditions, was the Company's historical
performance, estimates of the business potential and earning prospects of the
Company, an assessment of the Company's management and the consideration of
the above factors in relation to market valuation of companies in related
businesses.
 
  The Common Stock has been approved for listing on the Nasdaq National Market
under the symbol "ACTU".
 
  The Company and the Selling Stockholders have agreed to indemnify the
several Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under
the Securities Act of 1933.
 
  In connection with the offering, the Underwriters may purchase and sell the
Common Stock in the open market. These transactions may include over-allotment
and stabilizing transactions and purchases to cover syndicate short positions
created in connection with the offering. Stabilizing transactions consist of
certain bids or purchases for the purpose of preventing or retarding a decline
in the market price of the Common Stock; and syndicate short positions involve
the sale by the Underwriters of a greater number of shares of Common Stock
than they are required to purchase from the Company in the offering. The
Underwriters also may impose a penalty bid, whereby selling concessions
allowed to syndicate members or other broker-dealers in respect of the
securities sold in the offering for their account may be reclaimed by the
syndicate if such Common Stock are repurchased by the syndicate in stabilizing
or covering transactions. These activities may stabilize, maintain or
otherwise affect the market price of the Common stock, which may be higher
than the price that might otherwise prevail in the open market; and these
activities, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time. These transactions
may be effected on the Nasdaq National Market, in the over-the-counter market
or otherwise.
 
  The Underwriters have reserved for sale, at the initial public offering
price, up to 10% of the Common Stock offered hereby for certain individuals
designated by the Company who have expressed an interest in purchasing such
shares of Common Stock in the offering. The number of shares available for
sale to the general public will be reduced to the extent such persons purchase
such reserved shares. Any reserved shares not so purchased will be offered by
the Underwriters to the general public on the same basis as other shares
offered hereby.
 
                                      U-2
<PAGE>
 
 
 
 
 
ACTUATE PRODUCTS GRAPHIC
 
  Description: Graphic illustration showing screenshots of certain Actuate
products, with captions, and pictures of various blank computer screens
surrounding a cloud at the center of the graphic. A brief description of the
Actuate Reporting System, and a list of its components and their functions, is
provided in a column at right.
 
  Header: Meeting the Information Needs of the Enterprise
 
  Caption: The Actuate Reporting System is designed to allow organizations to
replace traditional paper-based and on-line reports with Live Report
Documents, which feature rich interactive capabilities. Actuate's adaptable
environment allows developers to create reports from virtually any data source
and in virtually any format required by end users. Actuate's server-centric
architecture can scale to support large organizations and can distribute
reports to users all over the world via the Internet.
 
  Actuate Report Server: Generate, store and print Live Report Documents and
HTML reports.
 
  Actuate Web Agent: Access the Actuate Report Encyclopedia via the Internet;
Publish Live Report Documents via the Internet
 
  Actuate Live Report Extension: View Live Report Documents from the Internet
 
  Actuate Viewer: View and print Live Report Documents
 
  Actuate End User Desktop: Request, generate, view and print Live Report
Documents
 
  Actuate Administrator Desktop: Maintain security and set resource quotas;
Manage Report Server and schedule production.
 
  Actuate Developer Workbench: Design, test and maintain Live Report Documents
 
  Actuate Software Development Kit: Integrate Actuate Viewer and End User
Desktop Active X controls into virtually any application
 
Screenshot Captions
 
Developer Workbench
  Caption: Actuate's Developer Workbench is a visual object-oriented
development environment for designing, compiling, viewing and debugging report
designs. Developers assemble reports by dragging and dropping components from
palettes and libraries to create client/server and HTML reports.
 
Live Report Extension
  Caption: Actuate's Live Report Extensions allow users to view and print Live
Report Documents through browsers such as Netscape Navigator and Microsoft
Internet Explorer.
<PAGE>
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
 NO PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRE-
SENTATIONS IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS, AND IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT
BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE
AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES OTHER
THAN THE SECURITIES TO WHICH IT RELATES OR AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE SOLICITA-
TION OF AN OFFER TO BUY IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR
SOLICITATION IS UNLAWFUL. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE
MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, CREATE AN IMPLICATION THAT
THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE THE DATE HEREOF
OR THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS CORRECT AS OF ANY TIME SUBSEQUENT
TO ITS DATE.
 
                               ----------------
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            PAGE
                                                                            ----
<S>                                                                         <C>
Prospectus Summary........................................................    3
Risk Factors..............................................................    6
Use of Proceeds...........................................................   17
Dividend Policy...........................................................   17
Capitalization............................................................   18
Dilution..................................................................   19
Selected Financial Data...................................................   20
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
 Operations...............................................................   21
Business..................................................................   32
Management................................................................   44
Certain Transactions......................................................   52
Principal and Selling Stockholders........................................   54
Description of Capital Stock..............................................   56
Shares Eligible for Future Sale...........................................   58
Legal Matters.............................................................   59
Experts...................................................................   59
Additional Information....................................................   59
Index to Financial Statements.............................................  F-1
Underwriting..............................................................  U-1
</TABLE>
 
                               ----------------
 THROUGH AND INCLUDING AUGUST 11, 1998 (THE 25TH DAY AFTER THE DATE OF THIS
PROSPECTUS), ALL DEALERS EFFECTING TRANSACTIONS IN THE COMMON STOCK, WHETHER
OR NOT PARTICIPATING IN THIS DISTRIBUTION, MAY BE REQUIRED TO DELIVER A PRO-
SPECTUS. THIS DELIVERY REQUIREMENT IS IN ADDITION TO THE OBLIGATION OF DEALERS
TO DELIVER A PROSPECTUS WHEN ACTING AS UNDERWRITERS AND WITH RESPECT TO THEIR
UNSOLD ALLOTMENTS OR SUBSCRIPTIONS.
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                               3,000,000 SHARES
 
                         ACTUATE SOFTWARE CORPORATION
 
                                 COMMON STOCK
                         (PAR VALUE $0.001 PER SHARE)
 
 
 
                               ----------------
 
                               [LOGO OF ACTUATE]
 
                               ----------------
 
 
                             GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO.
 
                          CREDIT SUISSE FIRST BOSTON
 
                      REPRESENTATIVES OF THE UNDERWRITERS
 
 
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------


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