Corporation Annual Reports To Shareholders

This study is both a replication and expansion of Epstein's 1973 study, "The Usefulness of Annual Reports to Corporate Shareholders." This survey investigates shareholders' use and usefulness of annual reports throughout all 50 states by providing a complete review of the literature in this area including a chapter relating this study with market-based research. It analyzes the data including relevant statistical tests and correlations with various demographic variables. It compares the results with the 1973 study and examines ways in which the annual report can respond to the demands for corporate accountability.

Coverage of every aspect of financial reporting & disclosure under Regulations S-X and S-K, with step-by-step procedures for preparing information for Form 10-K & annual shareholders reports. The authors' focus on common problem areas and current developments includes: 1 Volume

Covers such topics as prior evidence on corporate annual reports, research methodology and the demographics of the corporate shareholder, investors' investment objectives and their information sources, and the readership and usefulness of corporate financial statements.

Annual corporate reports provide a window into a company?s strategy for future growth; however, many financial managers as well as the investing public focus exclusively on corporate earnings and fail to understand all the factors that comprise the earnings computation. Understanding Corporate Annual Reports explains the regulatory environment surrounding annual reports, providing a detailed review of how to read reports correctly. Using Home Depot?s annual report as the primary example, Brian Stanko and Thomas Zeller?s easy-to-use guide examines a variety of types of financial reports, addressing both SEC and FASB regulations. Understanding Corporate Annual Reports allows readers to appreciate the complete implications of a corporate annual report.

This book concentrates on ensuring that the 'corporate message' is communicated to stakeholders in a way that maximises the value of the annual report and outlines how this might best be achieved. It explains the importance not only of the quantitative (accounting) information but also the qualitative content such as the chairman's statement, directors' report, operating and financial review, explanatory notes and so on. Particular recognition is given to the legal, stock exchange and professional accounting requirements as well as to the increasingly important but more discretionary areas of content such as social, environmental and ethical reporting issues. Crucially, the book discusses the importance of electronic communication now that legislation allows companies to deliver information over the internet.On a practical level, the book takes the reader through the procedures and processes in actually managing the preparation and production of the report. Both the practical and theoretical aspects of the book are placed in context by the use of relevant extracts taken from 'real-life' annual reports of major organisations. By using these authentic examples the book clearly highlights what works and what doesn't.Ensure that your company's annual reports conform to the highest standards of best practice. Don't waste the opportunity to deliver your message.