Top 11 Characteristics of a "Report Writer" Finance Organization - Blog Post 8
Archetype 2 - The Report Writer
***Note from John: no kidding I've seen all of these displayed - this is REAL!***
In your best Southern Drawl, say "you might be a Report Writer if..." before each of these:
You are proud to generate more than 20 different reports that are distributed to "everyone" in your organization...
After sending your reports, you can't answer the question: "what do people do with your reports each month?"
Your reports are known for being "thorough," "complete" or "precise" but not "insightful," "powerful" or "useful"...
Your reports usually are not even seen, let alone discussed in any important operational meetings (not that you would know since you don't attend those)...
You can find "dr." and "cr." multiple times on your report...
You use account numbers...ONLY...on your reports (because doesn't everyone have the Chart of Accounts memorized?)...
You actually know what falls in the "Miscellaneous" category under "Other Expenses" under "Other Operating Expenses" under "Other Fixed Expenses" on the P&L...
It never even occurred to you that there is something wrong with #7...
Your reports have no graphs, charts, graphics or color...(because that ruins the integrity of the data!)
The only reason you do some of your reports is "because that's what the last person did and they inherited them from the person before them" (etc.)...
You can claim that accounting is not your sole focus (clearly "reporting" is a focus too)...