A new filing does not necessarily update annual results. Before comparing a number, identify the question the document can answer. This workflow is designed for moving from a FirmLens company page to an original filing.
1. Separate the three dates
The collection timestamp tells you when FirmLens checked the source. The filing date tells you when a document was submitted. The financial period tells you which business activity the numbers cover. Treating them as interchangeable can make an old annual result look like this month’s performance.
2. Choose the document type
A US 10-K is an annual report, a 10-Q a quarterly report, and an 8-K a current report concerning specified events. Start with an annual report for context around annual figures and the relevant current report for an event. The SEC’s report-reading guide explains the report structure.
3. Match the scope
Check the currency, reporting period and consolidated basis. FirmLens annual tables use consolidated results. A product or business segment is a different scope from the whole company. Resolve a unit or scope mismatch before deciding that two numbers conflict.
4. Look for explanations, not just percentages
Growth measures a change; it does not identify its cause. Use business descriptions, management discussion and financial notes to investigate. Keep a short record of what you have actually verified about volume, prices, currency or business changes. Leave unsupported explanations as open questions.
5. Check subsequent amendments
Follow the source link and review later filings in the official record. If a historical value changed, keep the document date and explanation alongside it. The SEC API guide and OpenDART financial-data guide describe the source data used here.
Try the workflow
Choose one company, note its fiscal end and currency, then open an annual source document. Open a recent filing of a different type as well. Compare the questions each document answers. The goal is to understand the evidence before drawing conclusions about the business.