Effective Report Writing (Completed)
Date: Tuesday, June 16, 2026
Instructor: Ryan Standil
| Begin Time: |
9:00am Pacific Time
10:00am Mountain Time
11:00am Central Time
12:00pm Eastern Time |
| CPE Credit: |
2 hours for CPAs |
|
CPAs must convey financial information in a way that is unambiguous and easy to read. Writing clear reports demonstrates a CPA’s capability and compliance, while enabling readers to confidently make decisions. On top of being technically clear, a report should be easy to read. If the writing in a report feels dense or poorly organized, users will lose interest.
This course offers practical strategies to write effective reports. Attendees will learn how to draft crisp executive summaries and structure the rest of a report in way that allows for a smooth reading experience. The session will draw on tools such as developing consistent themes, writing useful headings, testing your logic, and guiding readers through complex concepts.
A key theme of this program is crafting reports that resonate with multiple audiences. For example, managers need concise insights to make strategic decisions; boards require additional context — but not too much; regulators want to see a CPA’s compliance; and clients demand explanations that they can fully understand; and more than one of these groups may be reading the same report.
Who Should Attend
This course is intended for anyone who drafts or edits reports. It is also beneficial to those who draft lengthy emails.
Topics Covered
- Writing executive summaries
- Making smooth transitions
- Developing logical arguments
- Achieving uniformity among multiple authors
- Understanding how a reader absorbs information
Learning Objectives
- Gain the approval of busy readers, such as executives and board members
- Design reports that are easy to navigate.
- Use language that your readers can comprehend without the need for an oral explanation.
- Understand how readers process information as they move through a report.
- Prepare reports that resonate with both technical and non-technical readers.
Level
Basic
Instructional Method
Group: Internet-based
NASBA Field of Study
Business Management & Organization (2 hours)
Program Prerequisites
None
Advance Preparation
None
