Microsoft 10 K 2016

Annual Filings: 10 Things You Need to Know

What Are Annual Filings?

Annual filings are documents that publicly traded companies must submit to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) each year. These filings provide detailed information about the company's financial performance, operations, and legal compliance.

Benefits of Understanding Annual Filings

• Gain insights into a company's financial health
• Assess the company's operations and management
• Review the company's legal compliance

10 Key Elements of Annual Filings

1. Financial Statements: Balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement.
2. Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A): Discussion of the company's financial performance, including risks and opportunities.
3. Notes to Financial Statements: Detailed explanations and disclosures about the financial statements.
4. Independent Auditor's Report: Opinion of the company's financial statements by an independent auditing firm.
5. Corporate Governance: Information about the company's directors, officers, and governance practices.
6. Legal Proceedings: Any legal actions or proceedings against the company.
li>Risk Factors: Disclosure of potential risks and uncertainties facing the company.
7. Exhibit Index: List of supporting documents and exhibits included in the filing.
8. Signatures: Execution by the company's principal officers.
9. Filing Date: Date the filing was submitted to the SEC.

How to Access Annual Filings

Annual filings are available to the public on the SEC's website: https://www.sec.gov/edgar/searchedgar/companysearch.html

Resources for Understanding Annual Filings

• SEC's Guide to Reading Annual Reports
• Investopedia's Explanation of Annual Reports