Skip to Main Content

T&L Center Library Tech Help Tutoring UCC Online FAQs
 

NAICS Codes

What is a NAICS Code?

A NAICS (pronounced NAKES) Code is a classification within the North American Industry Classification System. The NAICS System was developed for use by Federal Statistical Agencies for the collection, analysis and publication of statistical data related to the US Economy.

 

Why Do I Need a NAICS Code?

Some of these agencies post contract bids to any business within a given NAICS code, such as the SBA through the System for Award Management (SAM). Other government entities may offer tax incentives to businesses within a given NAICS Classification.

Companies also rely on the NAICS code to classify their own customers by industry.  Many Target their Marketing Efforts to Businesses within a particular NAICS Code. NAICS Codes allow them to focus their Targeted Marketing Efforts on companies in similar or identical Industries. By Acquiring NAICS Information, one can gain a better understanding of  their best customers and the industries that might best benefit from their products and services.

 

 


Work Cited

"What is a NAICS Code and Why Do I Need One?" NAICS Association, 18 Jan. 2017, www.naics.com/what-is-a-naics-code-why-do-i-need-one/.

Searching for Corporations

Corporate Reports

Corporate reports are a treasure trove of information for investors: they tell you whether a company is making money or losing money and why. You'll find this information in the company's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, annual reports (with audited financial statements) on Form 10-K, and periodic reports of significant events on Form 8-K.

It's usually easy to find information about large companies from the companies themselves, newspapers, brokerage firms, and the SEC. By contrast, it can be extremely difficult to find information about small companies. Generally, smaller companies only have to file reports with the SEC if they have $10 million or more in assets and 500 or more shareholders, or list their securities on an exchange or Nasdaq. 

To invest wisely and avoid investment scams, research each investment opportunity thoroughly and ask questions. If you'd like to learn more about the SEC's registration and reporting requirements, read Q&A: Small Business and the SEC.

You can get corporate reports from the following sources:

  • The SEC  You can find out whether a company files reports by using the SEC's database known as EDGAR.
  • The company  Ask the company if it is registered with the SEC and files reports with us. That information may be listed on its Web site. 

Work Cited

"Getting Info About Companies." U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, 30 June 2008, www.sec.gov/about/reports-publications/investorpubscompanies.


Suggested Resources for Finding Corporate Reports

Section 1: Background Information

As with all types of reports it is important to find background information. Gather facts about the company/industry you're researching, see who their stake holders are, find out what their historyt is, see what you can find. General reference databases such ar Credo Reference are excellent for doing all types of background research. 

Tips for using Credo Reference to start your research.

  1. Enter your search terms in the primary search box and click the search button.
  2. If appropriate, narrow your search results to a specific subject - be careful you don't narrow it too much, that will remove useful information and make searching difficult. To do this, click Subject under Narrow your search in the box to the left of your search results. Choose one of the subjects below. There is a subject for Business, Finance and Economics.  
  3. Now all of your search results will be from reference books related to the subject that you chose.

Section 2: Financial Information

 

You will find information for the first two sections of your corporate report in the Business Source Premier and Business Insights databases. If you choose a corporation that you can find information for in these databases it will be far easier than one that you cannot.

  • Business Insights:
    • Search for your corporation. You will find information about the background and financial makeup of your corporation. It has different amounts/types of information for each corporation.
       
  • Business Source Premier:
    • Browse Company Profiles. Find a Marketline report for your corporation. You will find information about the background and financial makeup of your corporation. Each Marketline report has slightly different information in it about the company. Look at the table of contents to see what sections it includes.
    • Pro tip: you can search by NAICS/Industry codes as well as DUNS number.

Section 3: Marketing Information

The third section of your corporate report includes marketing information. This is where you research a product that the company produces and come up with a strategy for marketing that product. This is helpful to understand how customers engage with products and how companies engage with customers.

  • Business Insights:
    • You can find information and articles about specific products, and companies here. You are also able to compare multiple companies using a built-in tool.
  • Business Source Premier:
    • Check your Marketline report -- they sometimes include information about specific products.
    • Use the main search box to find articles about specific products.

. Umpqua Community College Library, 1140 Umpqua College Rd., Roseburg, OR 97470, 541-440-4640
Except where otherwise noted, content in these research guides is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.