7 Practical Tips to Prepare for the 2025 Annual Report and Proxy Season

The 2025 annual report and proxy season is fast approaching, and public companies need to be ready for the changing landscape of regulations, investor expectations, and governance trends. To help you get prepared, here are some practical tips to consider:

First off, take a look at your proxy season calendar and make sure you know your filing status with the SEC. Knowing your deadlines for filings like Form 10-K/20-F, proxy statements, and annual meetings is crucial. Check your filer status to see if any recent changes impact your compliance requirements.

Stay informed about new SEC disclosure obligations for 2025. Two key changes to note are related to insider trading policies and procedures, as well as option award granting policies and procedures. Ensure you are in compliance with these new requirements to avoid any issues.

Don’t forget to revisit your cybersecurity disclosure practices in light of recent SEC comment letters and trends. The SEC now requires disclosure of material cybersecurity incidents in Form 8-K, as well as new cybersecurity risk management, strategy, and governance disclosures in Form 10-K and 20-F. Be sure to look at any comment letter trends to see if there are areas where you can improve your cybersecurity disclosures.

By following these practical tips, you can better prepare your company for the upcoming 2025 annual report and proxy season. Stay informed, stay compliant, and stay ahead of the game to ensure a successful reporting season.