Securities Exchange Commission (SEC)

Oversees the key participants in the securities world, including securities exchanges, securities brokers and dealers, investment advisors, and mutual funds. Concerned primarily with promoting the disclosure of important market-related information, maintaining fair dealing and protecting against fraud.

8-K – In addition to filing annual reports on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, public companies must report material corporate events on a more current basis. Form 8-K is the “current report” companies must file with the SEC to announce major events that shareholders should know about.

10-Q – The Form 10-Q includes unaudited financial statements and provides a continuing view of the company’s financial position during the year. The report must be filed for each of the first three fiscal quarters of the company’s fiscal year.

10-K – The annual report on Form 10-K 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.

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