Reports

PART 1: REPORTS **Q.A1** - What is a report? Provide at least 3 definitions (remember to identify the source) A report is a systematic, well organized document which defines and analyses a subject or problem, and which may include The record of a sequence of events interpretation of the significance of these events or facts evaluation of the facts or results of research presented discussion of the outcomes of a decision or course of action conclusions recommendations ([]) A report is a presentation of facts and findings, usually as a basis for Recommendations; written for a specific readership, and probably intended to be kept as a record. ([])

A report is a very formal document that is written for a variety of purposes, generally in the sciences, social sciences, engineering and business disciplines. Generally, findings pertaining to a given or specific task are written up into a report. It should be noted that reports are considered to be legal documents in the workplace and, thus, they need to be precise, accurate and difficult to misinterpret. ([] )    Unlike essays, reports are written in sections with headings and sub-headings, which are usually numbered. Below are the possible components of a report, in the order in which they would appear: Title page Acknowledgements Contents page Terms of reference Procedure Materials and Methods Summary Introduction Main Body/findings Results Conclusion Recommendations Appendices References Bibliography Glossary Style ([])
 * Q.A2** - What are the possible/ basic components or parts of reports?

 **Q.A3 ** - What are some types of reports? Laboratory reports Health and safety reports Research reports Case study reports Field study reports Cost-benefit analysis reports Proposals Comparative advantage reports Progress reports Technical reports Instruction manuals Financial reports

([])  PART B: ANNUAL REPORTS **Q.B1** - What is an annual report? Provide two definitions. (identify source) An annual report lists the achievements and failures of an organization. It is a progress report in which every department is accounted for.   ([]) <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: #333333; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> An annual report is a record of a company's financial performance and operations for the year. Publicly traded companies produce annual reports to tell shareholders, prospective investors, customers and others what happened. <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> ([]) <span style="font-size: 11pt; color: #4f81bd; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: accent1;">**Q.B2** - What type of report is an annual report? Progress report is the type of report used in an annual report.

<span style="font-size: 11pt; color: #4f81bd; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: accent1;"> You write a progress report to inform a supervisor, associate, or customer about progress you've made on a project over a certain period of time. The project can be the design, construction, or repair of something, the study or research of a problem or question, or the gathering of information on a technical subject. You write progress reports when it takes well over three or four months to complete a project. <span style="font-size: 11pt; color: #4f81bd; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: accent1;">**Q.B4** – Give two pieces of advice to someone who wants to write an annual report. <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">The physical appearance of annual reports is crucial. For that reason they are usually prepared professionally. The cover and the first few pages must attract and then maintain the readers' interest. 1.Make the cover attractive and eye-catching; keep the text well spaced and content not too heavy. Begin with some simple facts about the organization and what it does. 2.Use short paragraphs with bold print to emphasize the key points. Include illustrations to attract interest and to break up overbearing columns of figures.
 * Q.B3** – What is the purpose of a progress report? (visit these sites to find out: [] and [] )

<span style="font-size: 11pt; color: #4f81bd; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: accent1;">**Q.B5** – Should the report be long or short? Annual reports usually include a chairperson's statement. Most of these statements are far too long. Tactfully explain that all that is required is a resume and critical analysis of the past year's work, and an assessment of prospects. This section should pass logically from topic to topic. It should be informative, businesslike and balanced. It should also be concise - no more than 1,000 words (less if possible).

<span style="font-size: 11pt; color: #4f81bd; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: accent1;">**Q.B6** – Do annual reports include a chairperson’s message? Yes, usually annuals reports include a chairperson’s statement.

<span style="font-size: 11pt; color: #4f81bd; line-height: 115%; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: accent1;">**Q.B7** – What is an ideal structure of an annual report? This depends on the nature of the organisation and the readership. Here is one possible format: <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> ·  <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">contents list <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> ·  <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">what the organization does <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> ·  <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">some of the year's highlights <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> ·  <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">chairperson's statement <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> ·  <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">main body (possibly department to department, or task to task) <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> ·  <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">accounts <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; color: black; font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> ·  <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">appendixes <span style="font-size: 12pt; color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> <span style="font-size: 10pt; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman';">AnnualReports.com, is the leading provider of online annuals reports to individual and institutional investors. There Free Service allows users to review an annual report in an easy and convenient manner. Boasting the most complete and up-to-date listings of annual reports on the internet, AnnualReports.com provides instant access to annual reports in their actual format in one single location. For educated investors, corporate annual reports are the most important research tool available. Annual Reports enable investors to stay up to date on a company's yearly outlook.
 * <span style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: accent1;">Q.B8 **<span style="color: #4f81bd; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS'; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-themecolor: accent1;"> – Visit [] . What can one find on this website?