EDGAR, the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis, and Retrieval system, is the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s (SEC) electronic system that performs automated collection, validation, indexing, acceptance, and forwarding of submissions by companies and others who are required by law to file forms with the SEC. The SEC requires that most documents must be submitted in an electronic format via the EDGAR system. EDGAR filing agents have the ability to convert (EDGARize) those documents to a format acceptable to EDGAR and submit them to the SEC.  You can find additional information about EDGAR by visiting the SEC’s website at: About EDGAR

Hyper Text Mark-up Language (HTML) is the standard markup language used to create most web pages. HTML allows different font sizes and types, as well as graphic images to be used in documents.  The SEC accepts documents saved in HTML format, using a limited subset of the overall HTML standard, thus allowing for the preservation of the document’s original formatting, producing a more polished, professional-looking filing.

ASCII stands for the American Standard Code for Information Interchange. This is a binary code used by the computer to represent characters. ASCII is very limited in formatting and cannot possess different fonts or styling information. The SEC accepts documents saved in ASCII format; however, most, if not all, of the documents original formatting is lost when saved in ASCII.

Although the SEC is currently accepting both formats, it is possible that it will eventually require HTML for most filings in the future. Because of this, we recommend that filers become familiar with HTML filings. Also, because HTML can be formatted as desired, the filings have a more polished, professional appearance which demonstrates an overall more refined representation of your business.

XBRL is part of the family of “XML” languages which focuses on improving financial reporting and enhancing the capabilities of analyzing specific data within a filing. XBRL stands for eXtensible Business Reporting Language which, provides specific identifying tags for each item of data. These tags allow computers to recognize the information, exchange it with other computers, analyze it against other reporting periods or against other companies and store it for future use. Once prepared, these XBRL files are attached to the EDGAR documents and filed together in one submission.

Before you can electronically file documents with the SEC via EDGAR, you must become an EDGAR filer with authorized access codes.  Generally, EDGAR access codes expire one year after they are first generated.  You will need to submit a completed, signed and notarized [Form ID] for authorization to the SEC. Upon acceptance, a unique identifier number known as a Central Index Key (CIK) will be issued to you and sent to the e-mail address specified on the Form ID.  Once you have the CIK, you will then need to create a passphrase which you will use, together with your CIK, to generate your EDGAR access codes. You will also need your passphrase to re-generate your EDGAR access codes when they expire or should they be lost or their security compromised.  Once you have your access codes, you may use EDGAR to begin electronically filing.

Access codes consist of:

• Central Index Key (CIK) – A 10 digit code that uniquely identifies each filer. You are assigned a CIK code at the time you make an initial application with the SEC. This code is public and cannot be changed.

• CIK Confirmation Code (CCC) – An 8 character confidential code used to authenticate the CIK and identify the filer. This code may be changed at any time.

• Password (PW) – An 8 character confidential code that, along with the CIK is used to log on to the EDGAR system. The password is also required to change a filer’s CCC. The password may be changed at any time and must be changed at least once every 12 months. If the password expires, there is a 10 day grace period in which the code may still be renewed. If both deadlines expire, a new Form ID must be submitted to the SEC.

• Password Modification Authorization Code (PMAC) – An 8 character code required to change your password. This is the most confidential of the filer codes and access to the PMAC should remain limited. This code cannot be changed. If lost or a new PMAC is required, you will have to request a new set of access codes by filing a new Form ID.

If you’ve already registered with the SEC, please let us know.  We will need you to provide your EDGAR access codes. If you have misplaced your EDGAR access codes, we may be able to obtain a new set of codes using your CIK.  We can provide you with the necessary form to be signed, notarized and faxed to the SEC.

You can email your documents to us.  To access Microsoft Word templates of many of the common SEC filing types Click Here.

Typically, we can EDGARize and return your documents to you in less than 12 hours. XBRL filings typically take 24-48 hours to prepare. If you have an urgent deadline, please make sure to communicate that to us so we can ensure your document is returned in a timely manner so as to satisfy your filing deadline requirements.

Once your document has been filed with the SEC, we will email you an invoice. Payment is due within 30 days by check.

We will send you a confirmation to the e-mail addresses specify once your file has been accepted.