Report is a formal and reliable source of information. It is a strong basis for formulating plans and policies and taking administrative decisions. Since, report writing is a specialized job. The report writer requires expertise, skill and experience for drafting a report. It should be drafted by the report writer quite seriously. Hence, the following factors should be considered while drafting a report: -

1. The report writer should state the heading of the report on its top. The heading includes the date on which the report is written, the name(s) of the people to whom the report is written and subject of the report.
2. The report writer should state the objectives of writing report and the period of time the report covers.
3. The report writer should state the activities, performance, progress, achievement, challenges, problems, strengths and weaknesses of the organization in an orderly manner.
4. The report writer should state the findings of the survey or inspection or investigation or research, process and executing the findings for the benefit of organization in an orderly manner.
5. The report writer should state his opinions, suggestions and recommendations which allow the organization to make plan and execute its activities.
6. The report writer should write the report clearly, concisely, completely, correctly and politely using simple words.
7. The report writer should present the data and information in appropriate table, chart and diagram.
8. The report writer, as far as possible, should not use code and symbol in the report. If the code and symbol is used, the meaning of such code and symbol must be given clearly.
9. The report writer finally should make signature and mention the date on the report.

The following are the main objectives of report: -

1. To submit the information to the board and shareholders about the activities, challenges, performance, progress, achievements and problems of the organization.
2. To present information to all the interested parties about the real performance, position and condition of the organization.
3. To inform to the concerned authority whether the office is rendering services to the customers and people efficiently.
4. To evaluate the effectiveness of the supply of the goods and services by the office and its impact upon the general people.
5. To inform the concerned authority about the completion of the assigned job and its contribution to the successful operation of the organization.
6. To disclose the findings of the survey, inspection, investigation and research for the knowledge of the general people.
7. To share the knowledge, skill and experience gained by performing the official activities during a long period of time.
8. To know the delay in the office procedures, reasons of delay and to form the ways of overcoming such delay, wastage, inefficiency and loss.
9. To provide guidelines in preparing official plans and policies by supplying real facts and information about the official activities.
10. To give opinion, suggestion and recommendation in official activities which serve as a guide to the staff in carrying out the official activities more efficiently.

A report is the formal statement prepared by an investigator or researcher on completing an investigation or research or inspection on an event or problem or subject including detailed explanations of facts, findings, conclusions and recommendations.

A report is a historical statement which presents performance, progress, achievements and problems of the organization. It is the formal statement prepared by an investigator or researcher on completing an investigation or research or inspection on an event or problem or subject including detailed explanations of facts, findings, conclusions and recommendations.

Reports are written with varying objectives. The following are some of the important types of report written with different objectives: -

1. Audit report
   A report prepared by an auditor to provide the information and facts revealed after the examination of books of accounts of an organization is known as audit report. In government offices, Auditor General prepares audit report, and in private organizations, it is prepared by the private auditors having audit license.
   
   
2. Annual report
   A report prepared by an organization or association to provide the information of activities performed during the particular year is known as annual report. It is called annual report because it is prepared to state the performances of the office of a particular year at the end of the fiscal year.
   
   
3. Committee report
   A report prepared by a specific committee or commission to provide information about their finding, facts and suggestions after the completion of investigation and research is known as committee report. Different committees are formed for the specific purposes. They prepare a report after the specific task completes which is called committee report or commission report.
   
   
4. Government report
   A report prepared by the government authority to prove the information of its plans and achievement for its own purpose or public knowledge is known as government report. It is prepared by forming committee or commission from time to time.
   
   
5. Academic report
   A report prepared by the students during or after the completion of study on the basis of the investigation over a specific subject is known as academic report. It is also called educational report. Generally, the students of the post-graduate level write this type of report as thesis.

A report prepared by an auditor to provide the information and facts revealed after the examination of books of accounts of an organization is known as an audit report.

A report prepared by the students during or after the completion of a study on the basis of the investigation over a specific subject is known as an academic report.

A report prepared by the government authority to prove the information of its plans and achievement for its own purpose or public knowledge is known as government report.

A report prepared by a specific committee or commission to provide information about their finding, facts and suggestions after the completion of investigation and research is known as a committee report.

A report prepared by an organization or association to provide the information of activities performed during the particular year is known as an annual report.