What is the best way to write a report on a company's financial performance? (2024)

Last updated on Jan 10, 2024

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Know your audience

2

Structure your report

3

Write with clarity and precision

4

Here’s what else to consider

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If you are an investment banker, you know how important it is to write a clear and persuasive report on a company's financial performance. Whether you are pitching a deal, conducting due diligence, or providing valuation analysis, you need to communicate your findings and recommendations effectively. But how do you write a report that is concise, accurate, and engaging? Here are some tips to help you.

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What is the best way to write a report on a company's financial performance? (1)

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  • Paras Doda Investment Banking Analyst | All Things Finance | Venture Capital | Private Equity | Financial Modeling | Pitch Decks

    What is the best way to write a report on a company's financial performance? (3) 7

  • Siva Kamalesh US CMA (ASPIRANT) | MBA | B.COM

    What is the best way to write a report on a company's financial performance? (5) 6

  • Abhinaya Sundara Raman Fund Accountant | Project Cost Controller | Investment Banker | Accounting and Finance Graduate | Ex-BNP | Ex-SBS

    What is the best way to write a report on a company's financial performance? (7) 2

What is the best way to write a report on a company's financial performance? (8) What is the best way to write a report on a company's financial performance? (9) What is the best way to write a report on a company's financial performance? (10)

1 Know your audience

Before you start writing, you need to understand who will read your report and what they expect from it. Are you writing for a potential buyer, a seller, a lender, or an investor? What are their goals, concerns, and preferences? How familiar are they with the industry, the company, and the financial metrics? You should tailor your report to suit your audience's needs and level of sophistication. Use appropriate language, tone, and format. Avoid jargon, acronyms, and technical terms that may confuse or alienate your readers. Explain your assumptions, methods, and sources clearly and transparently.

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  • Writing a report on a company's financial performance in investment banking involves presenting a comprehensive analysis that is clear, concise, and insightful. To achieve this, I follow a structured approach that covers the essential elements necessary for a comprehensive financial analysis. There are a few reports in specific which help the audience to easily understand the analysis and spot trends in a simple form. Also using visual representation is one of the effective ways of projection.

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  • Paras Doda Investment Banking Analyst | All Things Finance | Venture Capital | Private Equity | Financial Modeling | Pitch Decks
    • Report contribution

    Here's a simple approach:Start Simple: Begin with basic company info and main financial numbers (like sales, costs, profit).Break It Down: Divide into sections: income, expenses, cash flow.Spot Trends: Highlight any changes over time.Explain Why: Give reasons behind the numbers (like higher costs or lower sales).Use Visuals: Charts or graphs help explain key points.Sum It Up: Finish with a short summary of the company's financial health and future potential.Keeping it clear and organized helps everyone understand the report better.

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  • Siva Kamalesh US CMA (ASPIRANT) | MBA | B.COM
    • Report contribution

    There where a 14 Points, That helps to report a financials1.Tile Page2.Executive Summary3.Introduction4.Company Overview5.Methodology6.Financial Statements Analysis7.Financial Ratios8.Trend Analysis9.SWOT Analysis10.Risk Factors11.Conclusions12.Recomendations13.Appendix14.References

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2 Structure your report

A well-structured report can help organize thoughts and present arguments logically. A typical report on a company's financial performance may include an executive summary, an introduction, a financial analysis, a valuation analysis, and a conclusion and recommendations. The executive summary is the most important part of the report, as it summarizes the main findings, conclusions, and recommendations. It should be concise and compelling and should highlight the key points of the analysis. The introduction provides some background information on the company, the industry, and the purpose of the report. It should also state the main thesis or hypothesis. The financial analysis section shows how you evaluated the company's financial performance using various tools and techniques. The valuation analysis section shows how you estimated the company's value using different methods and assumptions. The conclusion and recommendations section wraps up the report by restating the main findings, conclusions, and recommendations. It should also address any limitations or uncertainties in your analysis, suggest further actions or research that may be needed, reiterate your call to action, and thank your readers for their attention.

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    • Report contribution

    Organize your report on a company's financial performance with a clear structure. Begin with an executive summary to give a snapshot of key findings. Follow this with an introduction explaining the purpose and scope. Dive into financial statements, focusing on income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements. Analyze financial ratios to provide insights into liquidity, profitability, and solvency. Include a section on key performance indicators (KPIs) and trends. Conclude with a summary of major findings and potential recommendations. Use headings, subheadings, and visual aids for clarity.

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3 Write with clarity and precision

When you write your report, you should aim to be clear and precise in your language and style. You should use simple and direct sentences, avoid passive voice and vague words, and use transitions and signposts to guide your readers. You should also use charts, tables, graphs, and diagrams to illustrate and support your points, and to make your report more visually appealing. You should also proofread and edit your report carefully, to eliminate any errors, inconsistencies, or redundancies.

Writing a report on a company's financial performance is a challenging but rewarding task for an investment banker. By following these tips, you can write a report that is informative, persuasive, and professional.

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    • Report contribution

    Adopt a clear structure with sections on income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements. Utilize direct and simple language, avoiding unnecessary jargon or complexity. Choose active voice over passive constructions for straightforward communication. Employ visual aids such as charts and graphs to illustrate financial data effectively. Use clear headings and subheadings to guide the reader through the report, and include transitions for smooth transitions between sections. Proofread meticulously to eliminate errors, ensuring a polished and professional final document. Tailor your language to the audience's financial literacy, balancing detail and simplicity for comprehensive understanding.

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4 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What is the best way to write a report on a company's financial performance? (2024)

FAQs

What is the best way to write a report on a company's financial performance? ›

Here's a simple approach: Start Simple: Begin with basic company info and main financial numbers (like sales, costs, profit). Break It Down: Divide into sections: income, expenses, cash flow. Spot Trends: Highlight any changes over time. Explain Why: Give reasons behind the numbers (like higher costs or lower sales).

How do you summarize a company's financial performance? ›

Include individual financial statements

Income statement: Otherwise known as a profit and loss statement, this document summarises the organisation's earnings and expenses over a given period. It adds up all revenues and subtracts all expenditures to determine the net profit or loss for that period.

How to make a financial report of a company? ›

Use the following steps to guide you through the process.
  1. Step 1: gather all relevant financial data. ...
  2. Step 2: categorize and organize the data. ...
  3. Step 3: draft preliminary financial statements. ...
  4. Step 4: review and reconcile all data. ...
  5. Step 5: finalize and report.
Oct 24, 2023

How do you write a good performance report? ›

What to include in a performance report
  1. Timeframe of performance report.
  2. Past performance analysis.
  3. Customer acquisition rates.
  4. Synopsis of changes approved.
  5. Status levels of risks and issues.
  6. Market share and market ranking information.
  7. Variance analysis results.
  8. Work completed during the reporting period.
Dec 10, 2021

How do you present a company's financial performance? ›

Tell a story: Don't just present numbers and metrics; use your presentation to weave a narrative about your company's financial performance. Highlight key trends and developments and discuss their implications for the future. Be prepared: Anticipate questions from your audience and be well-prepared to answer them.

How do you describe good financial performance? ›

A company in good financial health will pay its bills on time and maintain good business credit. Analysis of financial performance metrics can be used to identify internal investment opportunities, like automating repetitive processes to increase productivity, and can help maintain positive cash flow.

What is the main statement of financial performance? ›

The balance sheet, the income statement, and the cash flow statement are three of the most significant financial statements used in performance analysis. Financial performance analysis can focus on different areas.

What is an example of a financial report? ›

An example of financial reporting would be a company's annual report, which typically includes the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement. The report may be released to the public, regulators, and/or creditors.

What are the 5 basic financial statements for financial reporting? ›

The 5 types of financial statements you need to know
  • Income statement. Arguably the most important. ...
  • Cash flow statement. ...
  • Balance sheet. ...
  • Note to Financial Statements. ...
  • Statement of change in equity.

How to write a financial summary? ›

How to Write a Financial Report?
  1. Step 1 – Make a Sales Forecast.
  2. Step 2 – Create a Budget for Expenses.
  3. Step 3 – Create a Cash Flow Statement.
  4. Step 4 – Estimate Net Profit.
  5. Step 5 – Manage Assets and Liabilities.
  6. Step 6 – Find the Breakeven Point.
Feb 24, 2022

How to write a financial report template? ›

Just follow these simple steps: First, gather all your financial information, like income and expenses. Then, use a financial report template to organize and present the data. Next, analyze the numbers and look for any important trends or insights.

How do you evaluate a company's performance? ›

4 ways to evaluate performance in companies. A company's performance can be measured in many ways. Some common metrics include total sales, net profit, number of customers, percentage of sales growth or number of employees.

What is the report that summarizes an organization's financial performance? ›

The profit and loss (P&L) statement is a financial statement that summarizes the revenues, costs, and expenses incurred during a specified period. Financial statements are written records that convey the business activities and the financial performance of a company.

What is an example of a financial analysis report? ›

Examples of financial reports include your income statement, cash flow statements, and balance sheets. Consider also gathering any financial notes, quarterly or annual records, and government reports (if applicable).

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