Reporting
Process of presenting information about various aspects of an organization's operations, performance, finances, and other relevant metrics. Reporting provides stakeholders, such as government, regulatory bodies, executives, managers, investors etc. with insights into the organization's (strategy, programme, project) current status, progress towards goals, and areas that may require attention or improvement. Effective reporting serves as a basis for identifying trends, patterns, and areas for improvement. Facilitates informed decision-making, strategic planning, and accountability.
Close terminology
Financial Statements – Provide a comprehensive overview of a company's financial performance and position, typically including the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement.
Management Reports – Generated by internal management to track progress toward organizational goals, monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), and make informed decisions.
Operational Reports – Provide detailed insights into specific operational aspects of the business, such as production output, sales performance, inventory levels, and resource utilization.
Annual Reports – Comprehensive reports, summarizing the organization's financial performance, strategic initiatives, and outlook for the future.
Integrated Reports – Consolidate financial, environmental, social, and governance information into a single document, offering a comprehensive view of the organization's value creation over time. These reports typically include traditional financial data alongside non-financial metrics related to sustainability, corporate social responsibility, and other environmental, social, and governance factors. Integrated reporting emphasizes the interdependencies between financial and non-financial performance indicators, highlighting how they contribute to the organization's long-term success and resilience.
Performance Dashboards – Visual tools display key metrics and performance indicators in real-time or near-real-time, allowing stakeholders to monitor performance at a glance and identify areas needing attention.
Compliance Statements – These documents ensure that the organization is adhering to relevant laws, regulations, and industry standards, including financial compliance, environmental regulations, and data protection laws.
Purpose
The purpose and critical elements of reporting need to be clearly defined and then stated in the report's objectives or introduction, outlining what stakeholders can expect to gain from reading the report
Timeframe
Regulatory requirements and needs of stakeholders decide about timeframe of reporting. Thus, financial reporting typically follows a regular schedule, such as quarterly or annual reporting periods, to coincide with accounting periods and regulatory deadlines. Operational and performance reporting may occur more frequently, such as monthly or quarterly updates, to provide timely insights into the organization's activities and progress toward goals. Ad-hoc reporting may also be necessary in response to specific events, such as significant changes in the organization's performance or operating environment.
INs and OUTs (section under development)
coming in
going out
Controls to review
regulation, documentation, reports