Style Guidelines for Annual Financial Reports
Annual reports aren't merely a legal requirement, but also an opportunity to market your company to prospective clients and investors. The two main objectives in designing your annual report are to make it informative and visually attractive. If professional design services are beyond your budget, use a desktop publishing template.
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Design
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The report's design should reflect the image of your company. For example, a modern, innovative company should choose a cutting edge, contemporary design. Leave plenty of white space on the page to draw in the reader.
Content
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The content should include operational and financial information about your organization, including its objectives and strategies. This information should be presented in a logical and straightforward manner, so that the report is reader-friendly.
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Fonts
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If you have large blocks of text, a font with a serif, such as Times New Roman, is easiest to read. Sans-serif fonts, such as Arial, look more modern. For a more interesting appearance, use different fonts for the headings and body text.
Color
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Color gives your report visual impact and makes it less boring. If you can't afford full-color printing, at least print a colored cover. Choose a palette of two or three colors to use throughout the report for consistency.
Graphics
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Graphics are excellent marketing tools, as they grab the reader's attention. Either use your own pictures or choose stock photographs from an image library. Graphics should be good quality and appropriate.
Binding
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The binding is an important aspect of any presentation. If you can't afford binding services, use comb or spiral binders for a professional appearance. Do not just staple your report together.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit financial report image by Christopher Hall from Fotolia.com
