What Is an EDGAR Account Administrator – And Who Should It Be?
Last Updated: 4/3/25
With the rollout of EDGAR Next, the SEC is introducing a new access model built around individual user credentials. At the center of that model is a critical new role: the Account Administrator.
If your company submits SEC filings, you’ll need to designate Account Administrators as part of the EDGAR Next enrollment process. But what exactly does this role involve? And who should fill it?
This post explains what the SEC means by "Account Administrator," what the responsibilities include, and how to choose the right individuals for the job.
What Is an EDGAR Next Account Administrator?
An Account Administrator is an individual associated with a filer who manages the filer’s access to the EDGAR system.
More specifically, Account Administrators are responsible for:
Creating and managing user access groups
Approving or removing users linked to the filer
Maintaining the filer’s account information
Completing the annual certification of access
Each administrator will log in to the EDGAR dashboard using their own individual Login.gov credentials. Unlike the old system, access is no longer shared through a central filer password or PMAC.
How Many Account Administrators Are Required?
The SEC requires filers to designate two Account Administrators during enrollment, unless the filer is:
An individual, or
A single-member company
Even in those limited cases, the SEC strongly encourages designating two administrators. This ensures access continuity if one person is unavailable or leaves the organization.
Who Should Serve as an Account Administrator?
Because Account Administrators are responsible for managing access to sensitive filing functions, the SEC advises that they be senior-level personnel or individuals with authority over compliance and reporting.
Here are a few good candidates:
General Counsel or Chief Compliance Officer
Senior members of the legal, accounting, or finance teams
Trusted internal administrators with oversight of SEC filings
A member of your external compliance team (if well-integrated into your firm)
If your organization works with a third-party filing agent, it’s often still helpful to have someone in-house serve as your EDGAR Account Administrator. However, some filers choose to have their filing agent serve as a secondary Account Administrator. In this case, your firm remains the primary point of contact, while the filing agent assists with managing access and user settings as part of a service arrangement.
What Happens If an Account Administrator Leaves?
Most filers are required to maintain two active Account Administrators at all times. If one administrator leaves or becomes unavailable, the filer should quickly designate a replacement.
If one of your administrators leaves the organization or is no longer available:
A remaining administrator can log in and remove or replace them
If no administrators remain, you must initiate a recovery process through the SEC
This process may delay access — another reason to always have two admins on file
How Do I Designate Account Administrators?
You’ll provide Account Administrator information during your EDGAR Next enrollment. You’ll need:
First and last name
Email address (must match their Login.gov credentials)
Phone number
Business address and country
Account Administrators must have active Login.gov accounts before enrollment is submitted.
Need help setting this up? Learn more about our EDGAR Next Enrollment Service.
Want Support from a Filing Expert?
ACN Solutions helps filers navigate every step of EDGAR Next. Our Enrollment Service includes assistance with Account Administrator setup, Login.gov requirements, and more.
Summary: Key Takeaways
EDGAR Account Administrators manage access and user permissions under the new EDGAR Next model
Two administrators are required for most filers — and always recommended
Admins must use individual Login.gov credentials
Choose trusted, senior personnel with knowledge of your SEC filing obligations
Additional Resources
Below are official SEC resources and practical tools to help you better understand the Account Administrator role and how it fits into the broader EDGAR Next framework:
SEC EDGAR Next FAQs – Account Administrator
The SEC's official FAQs include a dedicated section on Account Administrators and their responsibilities.EDGAR Next Filer Testing Guidance (PDF)
A comprehensive overview of the new EDGAR dashboard and the processes for managing accounts, delegations, and administrators.EDGAR Next Enrollment Guide
Our detailed blog post explaining each step of the enrollment process, including how to designate Account Administrators and avoid common mistakes.
Common Questions
Can I change my Account Administrators later?
Yes. An existing administrator can log in to the EDGAR dashboard at any time and update or remove other administrators.
Can a filing agent be my only administrator?
The SEC allows this, but most filers retain internal oversight and use filing agents only as secondary admins or Delegated Entities.
What if my administrator forgets their Login.gov credentials?
Login.gov has a secure recovery process. However, we recommend having two admins on file at all times to prevent access disruptions.
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this blog post is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, compliance, or financial advice. ACN Solutions LLC is not a law firm, compliance advisor, or affiliated with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). While we strive to provide accurate and timely guidance based on publicly available SEC resources, we do not speak on behalf of the SEC and are not authorized to interpret its rules or policies. Readers should consult their legal counsel or compliance professionals for specific guidance related to their regulatory obligations.