Connect with us +91 966 777 9615
The federal securities laws in US require publicly reporting companies to disclose information on an ongoing basis. For example, domestic companies (issuers) must submit annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K for a number of specified events and also must comply with a variety of other disclosure requirements. When the investor or stakeholders are analyzing a company to determine the worth of the company, they must get their hands on the company’s balance sheet, which typically means locating a copy of the firm’s latest Form 10-K filing, annual report, and/or Form 10-Q filing. Each document serves a special purpose and offers different insights into the business.
Annual Report
It is a once-a-year publication released by companies several months after the end of their financial year. It includes almost everything an investor wants to know about the business. The annual report is sent to shareholders in advance of the company’s annual meeting. It also must be posted on the company’s website. An annual report usually contains a letter from the chief executive officer that discusses the past performance of the company as well as expectations for the upcoming year. Tucked away within the back of most annual reports is a collection of financial docs, footnotes, charts, and disclosures, all of which investor would know as these docs could help them uncover a true picture of the firm.
Individuals should be able to access a company’s annual report even if they’re not an existing shareholder by clicking on the Investor relations link on the company’s website. From there, they should be able to download the report in PDF form.
Form 10-K Filing
It is an annual disclosure that publicly traded companies must file with the U.S. SEC following the close of their fiscal year.
It provides a comprehensive overview of the company’s business and financial condition and includes audited financial statements. Although similarly named, the annual report on Form 10-K is distinct from the “annual report to shareholders,” which a company must send to its shareholders when it holds an annual meeting to elect directors.
These two factors determines within how much time a company has to file its 10-K with SEC.
|
Category of Filer (Public float) |
Deadlines For Filing Periodic Reports |
|
Form 10-K Deadline |
|
| Large Accelerated Filer ($700MM or more) | 60 days |
| Accelerated Filer ($75MM or more and less than $700MM | 75 days |
| Non-accelerated Filer (less than $75MM) | 90 days |
Form 10-Q Filing
It is similar to the Form 10-K with an only exception that it is filed quarterly, after the end of the first three quarters of their fiscal year. It is to be noted that FORM 10-K covers both the 4th quarter and the entire year. The 10-Q contains a lot less detail than the 10-K due to the abbreviated nature of the measurement period, among other things, but it can be particularly useful from time to time, under certain circumstances. Specifically, the Form 10-Q can give insight into changes that are happening within a business long before those changes show up in the earnings figures.
For example, you may see that inventory turnover is getting better or worse or that accounts receivable turnover is improving or giving warning signs that there may be a credit problem with customers. You may also notice changes in working capital or learn about lawsuits and potential legal risks for which reserves haven’t been established.
The current 10-Q deadlines for accelerated filers are as follows:
|
Category of Filer (public float) |
Deadlines For Filing Periodic Reports |
|
Form 10-Q Deadline |
|
| Large Accelerated Filer ($700MM or more) | 40 days |
| Accelerated Filer ($75MM or more and less than $700MM | 40 days |
| Non-accelerated Filer (less than $75MM) | 45 days |
Note: Publicly traded companies must also file a form 8-K to inform the SEC and shareholders of any event that could affect the price of their stock.
We are a PCAOB registered firm and cater to professional service requirements of Companies registered with SEC for filing their annual and quarterly returns in Form 10K and 10 Q. In addition, we also assist broker dealer firms registered with FINRA in filing their annual returns. If you have any questions or want to know more about SEC filings, kindly contact us.
