A special report is a customized financial report that deviates from standard reporting. This type of report helps to address specific information needs and reporting objectives while maintaining professional standards and clarity.
For example, an organization may prepare a special report to demonstrate compliance with certain aspects of a contractual agreement or regulatory provisions related to audited financial statements. These types of reports are typically prepared by independent auditors and must include an attestation paragraph that states the results of applying agreed-upon procedures to specified elements, accounts or items within the financial statements.
Another type of special report is a research report that presents the findings and results of systematic investigation. These types of reports should be written in a formal language and provide first-hand verifiable information that is relevant to the subject matter at hand. Graphs and other visual representations can also be included to help convey the findings of the report.
In addition, a special report may be an academic or professional publication that summarizes a niche area of research, such as a particular technique or therapeutic method. These articles should have a concise, informative title that does not contain brand names and should be accompanied by a cover sheet with the authors’ addresses, academic qualifications and job titles. The author’s telephone number and email address for correspondence should also be included on a separate sheet. Special reports should be limited to 1,500-3,000 words (not including figures, tables or references). All articles must have an Expert Opinion section, with a brief summary of the area being covered and the research that was undertaken.