THE FUNDAMENTALS OF ASSURANCE REPORT WRITING TIPS

Introduction

Good report writing skill is an essential requirement for high performance and career growth. The words we speak and body language we express are at the heart of what we do. Risk managers and assurance providers are hired for their expertise and retained for attitude. Their expertise and attitude come to life through the way they communicate across all levels in their organization. The risk reports, presentations and conversations with various stakeholders at various forums are the major mediums through which they express insights, findings, recommendations and opinions on matters concerning their organisation. These mediums are often the most tangible work products and opportunities they have to convey and convince their stakeholders about their credibility. The big questions to the Risk Managers and Assurance Providers are:

• How effective and efficient have the stakeholders in your organisation found your reports, presentations and conversations?
• Do your reports, presentations and conversations demonstrate clear thinking, clear communication and clear value delivering edge?
• If the answers to the above questions are yes, congratulations, but does everyone in your organisation agree with you?

Experience has shown that many risk managers and assurance providers find it challenging to come up with well written and value-add reports that capture the interest of the readers and end users due to some avoidable errors and mistakes. They should continue to explore for continuous improvements in their writing skills and work areas through constant self-paced reading, formal training and education. The internet revolution has provided value-add assistance but, has also created the problem of information overload to the readers because of the many materials available on the internet.