Even if the filer chooses to submit the annual report electronically, they are still required to file those portions of the annual report, incorporated by reference, in the 10-K registration statement as Exhibit 13. The form type ARS is submitted for the information of the Commission only, and is not subject to liability laws until it is filed as part of the 10-K registration statement. The SEC requires electronic filers to provide a fair and accurate narrative description of any omitted graphic material. Narrative descriptions of graphic images can be placed within the body of the document where the image appears. The SEC requires Filers to keep a hard copy of the graphic material on file for a period of 5 years.
Many companies hire design firms to create their annual reports.
We will need both the hard copy and the diskette containing the pertinent annual report information. We would prefer to get a test diskette from the designer in advance to review the files . Design Firms often use Quark Xpress or PageMaker software. However, they may take longer to convert than word processing files. If possible, we prefer that suppliers of Quark or PageMaker files link text blocks within files.