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11.2 Collaborative Project: Looking Closely at Annual Reports (Obj. 1) Team Proj

ID: 386174 • Letter: 1

Question

11.2 Collaborative Project: Looking Closely at Annual Reports (Obj. 1) Team Project YOUR TASK. In teams of three or four, collect several corporate annual reports. For each report identify and discuss the following characteristics: Apple 2016 a. Function (informational or analytical) b. Strategy (primarily direct or indirect) c. Writing style (formal or informal) d. Format (memo or e-mail, letter, manuscript, preprinted form, digital form) e. Effectiveness (clarity, accuracy, expression) In an informational memo report to your instructor, describe your findings. Memo: Boeing 2016 a. Function (informational or analytical) b. Strategy (primarily direct or indirect) c. Writing style (formal or informal) d. Format (memo or e-mail, letter, manuscript, preprinted form, digital form) e. Effectiveness (clarity, accuracy, expression) In an informational memo report to your instructor, describe your findings.

Explanation / Answer

A report is a presentation consisting of information presented in a manner that conforms to the requirements the report is meant to satisfy and needs of the audience it is addressed to. On the basis of the type of report it may be a presentation of results of certain investigations, researchers, analysis or facts and figures. It is almost always used as a form of communication for achieving sharing of certain essential information which has value for the target audience. it is essential that all information presented within the report be extremely clear, accessible and easy to understand so that the purpose of utilisation of the information provided is fulfilled. on the basis of function the reports maybe informative report or interpretive report.

Informative report is a presentation of facts and information related to a particular issue or situation. An interpreter report is an analysis of various facts along with the conclusions drawn and may also include recommendations on the basis of such conclusions.

Annual Report is prepared as it is an essential requirement under the securities exchange act of 1934. It provides information regarding the results of financial operations of the company during the fiscal year and as suggested by the name is prepared once a year and circulated to all members of the company along with a coffee beans submitted to the securities exchange Commission and another being made available on the website of the company.

The annual report generally consists of all information related to a company including the profile, details of all the owners along with the organisational management, and extensive financial reports in detail as specified by the securities exchange Commission. All required notes, including the cash flow statements and details of all subsidiary companies if any. It also provides information on all operational details including list of products and strategy employed by the company.

The annual report is mostly an informational report as it provides extensive information upon every aspect of a company.

B)The direct approach within reporting is mostly utilised when the target audience is likely to be neutral or positive about the communication within the report. Within a formal report, such as annual report issued by a company listed with securities exchange Commission it is essential that the report be summarised at the beginning, along with required conclusions and recommendations. This greatly enhances the utility of the report and makes the presentation user friendly and easily accessible with particular areas of supporting details relevant for each individual being easy to locate and identify. Therefore, it is mandatory that an annual report of any organisation use the direct approach.

C) A formal report maintains a professional impersonal style while presenting the required data and is mostly report which is lengthy along with a contents page, and a covering letter if required. It has all the features of formal and professional presentation for document. It has a formal structure which includes a cover page along with the brief description of the title of the report alongwith required basic information and reason for the report. Entire data within the report is presented with inclusion of clear figures and tables wherever required for the information is clear and comprehensive with no scope for ambiguity.

D) the annual report is mostly in pre printed form a digital form depending upon the specific rules and regulations specified within a particular country and the regulatory board. Apple Incorporated being a large organisation mostly service reports in digital format as securities exchange Commission accept this format as a mode of submission and ratifies it. the exact same report is present on the website of the securities exchange commission and also the company website and may be accessed or copy it in parts by any individual as per requirement.

E) As mentioned earlier reporting is a means of communication which my present vital information of exceptional value to certain individuals within the target audience. Therefore, it becomes exceptionally importance that all data presented within any report be highly accurate and reliable for the report itself to be efficient and achieve its goal of providing exact information which subsequently results in accurate analysis when utilizing data presented within the report. The data and information presented within the report may be the basis of critical decisions arrived at by shareholders and other investors along with institutions who provide loans other financial support for the organisation. Until and unless a report achieves the basic requirements of clarity, accuracy and expression through presentation of the required data by implementing these essential factors, it cannot be effective in achieving its primary objective. the report of Apple Incorporated is Highly Effective as besides fulfilling all the required obligations at specified under the statutory regulations, it also provides integrated detail about by all risks faced by the business, the details of the organisational goals and objectives and the means being employed for achieving the same.