Foreign private issuers listed on U.S. exchanges face a critical annual reporting obligation—the SEC Form 20-F. This detailed report provides investors with a transparent view of your company’s finances, operations, and governance, ensuring compliance with U.S. securities laws.
While the Form 20-F filing deadline is generally in April following the fiscal year-end, October to November marks the ideal period to begin your 20-F filing preparation. Here’s why early planning during these months is essential to filing success—and how IRIS CARBON® can empower your process.
Meet SEC Deadlines with Confidence
Most calendar year-end foreign private issuers must submit Form 20-F by April 30. Starting your preparation in October-November gives your team 5-6 months of runway to collect, consolidate, and reconcile financials and disclosures. This advanced timeline reduces last-minute stress and minimizes the risk of non-compliance penalties from the SEC.
Enable Cross-Border Collaboration
Preparing the 20-F involves cross-functional teams spanning finance, legal, audit, and investor relations—often in different time zones and jurisdictions. IRIS CARBON®’s centralized disclosure management platform facilitates seamless collaboration, version control, and real-time updates, ensuring all stakeholders stay aligned and work efficiently from the first day of prep.
Streamline Complex Data Reconciliation
Reconciling IFRS or home-country GAAP with U.S. GAAP is a demanding task that requires significant lead time to ensure accuracy. IRIS CARBON® automates these data processes, helping your teams validate financials, generate compliant disclosures, and reduce costly manual errors well ahead of filing deadlines.
Adapt to Regulatory Changes Effortlessly
SEC rules and disclosure expectations continuously evolve. Early preparation lets your reporting teams build regulatory updates—whether related to ESG, governance, or financial reporting—into your filing materials without disrupting workflows. IRIS CARBON®’s expert-driven compliance framework provides automated alerts for key SEC changes to keep you ahead.
Gain Efficiency Through Automation
Beginning your 20-F reporting now allows full advantage of IRIS CARBON®’s automation capabilities—from disclosure drafting to audit trail maintenance and SEC-ready formatting. This reduces cycle time, ensures consistency across multiple filing formats, and lowers the risk of submission errors.
Conclusion: Start Early, Reduce Risk, and Drive Confidence with IRIS CARBON®
October-November isn’t just a good time—it’s the strategic time to initiate your 20-F filing process. Early start enhances cross-department collaboration, compliance quality, and regulatory readiness while easing your team’s workload.
IRIS CARBON® empowers reporting managers and CFOs with technology designed specifically for SEC Form 20-F compliance. If you want to reduce filing errors, accelerate reporting cycles, and ensure your SEC 20-F readiness, connect with us now to plan your successful filing for 2025 and beyond.
