Accouting information, generated by processing accounting data is gathered to generate an accounting report. An accounting report, in order to be useful, must display information context in such a manner so as to give confidence to the user, influence his behaviour and prompt him to take positive action. Accounting reports can be classified into two broad categories ie. Programmed Report and Casual Report.
1. Programmed Reports:
Programmed reports are reports which contain information useful for decision making in those situations which the users have anticipated to occur. There are two types of reports within this report type.
a. Scheduled Reports:
The reports, which are produced according to a given time frame, are called scheduled reports. The time frame may be daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly or yearly. Some Statement of Cash transactions (Cash book), Statement of Ageing Accounts, Closing Stock Report, Profit and Loss Account and Balance Sheet, etc.
b. On-Demand Reports:
The reports, which are generated only on the triggering of some event, are called on demand reports. Some examples of an demand reports are a Customer’s Statement of Account, Inventory Reorder Report, Stock in hand Report for a Selected Group of items, etc.
2. Casual Reports:
Casual reports are those reports, the need for which is not anticipated, the information content of which may be useful but casually required. These adhoc reports and are generated casually by executing some simple queries without requiring much of professional assistance. As opposed to programmed reports, casual reports are generated as and when required.
