A large accelerated filer is a classification used by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in the United States to categorize publicly traded companies based on their market capitalization. Specifically, companies with a public float of $700 million or more are classified as large accelerated filers.

This designation subjects them to more stringent reporting requirements, including faster filing deadlines for periodic reports and the need for an internal control audit.

Large Accelerated Filer Explained

The classification aims to ensure that companies with significant market impacts adhere to high standards of transparency and accountability.

Large accelerated filers are required to file their annual report on Form 10-K within 60 days of the fiscal year-end and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q within 40 days of the fiscal quarter-end. The internal control audit requirement, mandated by Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, involves an external auditor's review of the company's internal controls over financial reporting.

The Term Large Accelerated Filer in Different Legal Contexts

While the designation of a large accelerated filer primarily impacts a company's reporting obligations to the SEC, it also signals to investors and the market at large a certain level of maturity and operational scale. This can influence investor confidence and the company's overall market perception.

Common Misconceptions About the Meaning of Large Accelerated Filer

A common misconception is that the large accelerated filer status is related to the financial performance or profitability of a company. In reality, it is based solely on market capitalization and does not directly consider the company's financial health or operational success.