<P> To achieve its mandate , the SEC enforces the statutory requirement that public companies and other regulated companies submit quarterly and annual reports , as well as other periodic reports . In addition to annual financial reports , company executives must provide a narrative account , called the `` management discussion and analysis '' ( MD&A ) , that outlines the previous year of operations and explains how the company fared in that time period . MD&A will usually also touch on the upcoming year , outlining future goals and approaches to new projects . In an attempt to level the playing field for all investors , the SEC maintains an online database called EDGAR ( the Electronic Data Gathering , Analysis , and Retrieval system ) online from which investors can access this and other information filed with the agency . </P>
the electronic data and record system of the securities and exchange commission is known as
EDGAR ( the Electronic Data Gathering , Analysis , and Retrieval system )