Legal Definitions - informational report

An informational report is a document that presents facts, data, or findings on a specific subject without offering recommendations, analysis, or opinions on what action should be taken. Its primary purpose is to convey objective information to an audience, enabling them to understand a situation or topic based on the presented facts.

Here are some examples to illustrate the concept of an informational report:

• Example 1: Government Agency's Public Health Update

  A state's Department of Health publishes a monthly report detailing the current number of flu cases, hospitalizations, and vaccination rates across different counties. This report simply presents the raw statistics and trends without suggesting new public health policies or recommending specific actions for individuals beyond general health advice. It serves to keep the public and other agencies informed about the current health landscape.

  This illustrates an informational report because it provides factual data (case numbers, rates) without offering policy recommendations or advocating for specific interventions. Its sole purpose is to inform stakeholders about the current state of public health.

• Example 2: Corporate Quarterly Earnings Summary

  A publicly traded company releases a quarterly earnings report to its shareholders and the public. This report includes financial statements, such as the balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement, along with key performance indicators like revenue, profit margins, and earnings per share for the past quarter. It presents these figures directly, often with comparisons to previous periods, but typically refrains from making predictions about future stock performance or advising shareholders on investment strategies.

  This is an informational report because it delivers objective financial data and metrics. It allows shareholders and potential investors to understand the company's financial health based on facts, rather than providing subjective analysis or investment advice.

• Example 3: Forensic Accountant's Findings in a Legal Case

  In a complex divorce proceeding, a court-appointed forensic accountant submits a report detailing the assets, liabilities, income, and expenses of both parties. The report meticulously lists bank accounts, investments, property valuations, and debt obligations, along with a breakdown of spending patterns, all supported by documented evidence. The accountant's role is to present these financial facts clearly and impartially to the court, not to suggest how assets should be divided or to argue for one party over the other.

  This exemplifies an informational report as the forensic accountant's task is to compile and present verifiable financial data without offering legal opinions, recommendations for settlement, or advocating for either party. The report's value lies in its objective presentation of financial realities for the court's consideration.