What is financial reporting?

Definition of Financial Reporting

Financial reporting includes all of a company's communication of financial information to people outside of the company.

Examples of Financial Reporting

Financial reporting includes the following:

  • External financial statements (income statement, statement of comprehensive income, balance sheet, statement of cash flows, and statement of stockholders' equity)
  • The notes to the financial statements
  • Press releases and conference calls regarding quarterly earnings and related information
  • Quarterly and annual reports to stockholders
  • Financial information posted on a corporation's website
  • Financial reports to governmental agencies including quarterly and annual reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
  • Prospectuses pertaining to the issuance of common stock and other securities