Require assistance with your company’s annual report? Count on MMS

An annual report is a formal publication that contains information about a company’s financial and operational processes and objectives within a financial year. These reports form a crucial part in providing insight to parties who may be interested in the company’s performance, such parties include shareholders and stakeholders, as well as the media, for example.

A company’s annual report should comply to statutory and regulatory requirements and as its intent is to offer a public disclosure of a company’s operations, the information needs to be presented in a concise and clear manner.

The MMS Group has extensive experience in the compilation of reports for companies of various sizes. If you require professional assistance to ensure that your report is compliant and contains all the required data, you are welcome to contact us for assistance.

What is the purpose of an annual report?

An annual report exists to give interested parties insight into a business’ financial and operational processes. Typically, this report would be made available to a company’s shareholders and stakeholders, enabling them to evaluate the company’s performance within a stipulated timeframe. Besides meeting legal requirements, an annual report exists to “sell” your company to those who may not yet have an idea who you are or what you do. In your business report, you have the chance to tell interested parties - who your business is, what it is that you offer, why you are successful and why they should pay attention to your brand. With a well-planned and structured report, you can elevate your brand and grow your company.

Typically, the information contained in a company’s annual report will enable stakeholders to assess:

• Your company’s financial position
• Your ability to pay off debts
• Whether you made a profit or loss in the previous financial year
• Whether your company has grown
• How much of your earnings are used to further grow business operations

What does an annual report typically contain?

To comply with national standards and regulations, a company’s annual report should contain the following:

• General company information
• Operational and financial highlights
• A personalised letter to the company’s shareholders (from the CEO)
• Financial statements
• A list of the company’s directors and executive officers
• Notes explaining the financial statements and accounting methods
• Auditor’s report
• A concise summary of the company’s financial data
• Management discussions and analysis (MD&A)

The report may also contain informative charts and graphs to break down and simplify complicated financial information.

In addition to providing information on your company’s financial and operational position, the report can also be used to promote your company. An overall theme could be used to create cohesion and make your report more attractive. Furthermore, you could include positive stories on company milestones, employees’ feedback, client testimonials, etc., to appeal to new investors and clients whilst aiming to increase your readership.

Overall, the financial information and the corporate message contained within the annual report are the two most important aspects for any company – large and small. Financial information can be difficult to understand, especially if the audience is not familiar with the company’s financial status and background. Therefore, attention should be paid to the message and how information is provided – and explained – to the readers. Creative designs and visuals can be utilised to make the report more legible and attractive.

The challenge lies in constructing the report in a way that is both attractive and informative, and in line with compliance and regulatory standards. Over the years, MMS has worked with several companies in a diverse range of industries and we can therefore assist with your company’s annual reporting requirements, no matter your industry or the style of report you prefer.

To find out more about how we can assist with your company’s reporting requirements, please feel free to contact us via phone or email.