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name: financial-reporting description: | Financial reporting workflow covering report preparation, management reporting, board presentations, and investor communications. Delivers polished, accurate reports.

trigger: |

• Preparing financial reports
• Management or board presentations
• Investor communications
• Regulatory filings support

skip_when: |

• Detailed analysis needed → use financial-analysis
• Building models → use financial-modeling
• Accounting entries → use financial-close

related: similar: [financial-analysis, metrics-dashboard] uses: [financial-analyst, metrics-analyst]

Financial Reporting Workflow

This skill provides a structured workflow for preparing financial reports using the financial-analyst and metrics-analyst agents.

Workflow Overview

The financial reporting workflow follows 5 phases:

Phase	Name	Description
1	Requirements	Define report scope and audience
2	Data Collection	Gather and verify source data
3	Report Preparation	Build report content
4	Review	Quality control and approval
5	Distribution	Finalize and distribute

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Phase 1: Requirements

MANDATORY: Define report requirements before building

Questions to Answer

Question	Purpose
Who is the audience?	Tailors content and detail
What period is covered?	Sets data scope
What is the deadline?	Sets timeline
What format is required?	Determines output
What comparisons needed?	Prior period, budget, forecast

Report Types

Type	Audience	Content Focus
Management Report	Leadership	Operations, KPIs, variances
Board Package	Directors	Strategic, summary, governance
Investor Report	Shareholders	Performance, guidance, risks
Regulatory Filing	Regulators	Compliance, disclosures

Blocker Check

If ANY of these are unclear, STOP and ask:

• Report audience
• Required content sections
• Comparison basis
• Approval requirements

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Phase 2: Data Collection

MANDATORY: Verify all data before reporting

Data Requirements

Report Type	Required Data
Management	Actuals, budget, forecast, KPIs
Board	Summary financials, strategic metrics
Investor	Audited financials, guidance
Regulatory	Per filing requirements

Data Verification Checklist

Check	Validation
Source documented	Each number has source
Period correct	Data from correct period
Reconciled	Ties to source system
Approved	Data has been reviewed

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Phase 3: Report Preparation

Dispatch to specialist(s) with full context

Agent Dispatch for Analysis-Heavy Reports

Task tool:
  subagent_type: "financial-analyst"
  model: "opus"
  prompt: |
    Prepare financial analysis for [report type]:

    **Period**: [reporting period]
    **Audience**: [from Phase 1]
    **Comparisons**: [prior period/budget/forecast]

    **Data Provided**:
    [Verified data from Phase 2]

    **Required Sections**:
    - Executive summary
    - Financial highlights
    - Variance analysis
    - Key metrics
    - Outlook commentary

    **Format Requirements**:
    [Specific format needs]

Agent Dispatch for KPI/Dashboard Reports

Task tool:
  subagent_type: "metrics-analyst"
  model: "opus"
  prompt: |
    Prepare KPI summary for [report type]:

    **Period**: [reporting period]
    **Audience**: [from Phase 1]

    **KPIs Required**:
    [List of required metrics]

    **Format Requirements**:
    - Visualization specifications
    - Trend indicators
    - Target comparisons

Required Output Elements

Element	Requirement
Executive Summary	Key messages in 3-5 points
Financial Statements	Per reporting standards
Variance Commentary	Explanations for material items
KPI Dashboard	Key metrics with visuals
Forward Look	Guidance or outlook (if applicable)
Disclosures	Required disclosures

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Phase 4: Review

MANDATORY: Quality control before distribution

Review Checklist

Check	Validation
Numbers accurate	Verified against source
Math correct	Totals foot and cross-foot
Commentary consistent	Story aligns with numbers
Comparisons accurate	Prior period/budget correct
Disclosures complete	All required disclosures
Format correct	Per template/requirements

Approval Workflow

Level	Approver	Focus
Preparer	Analyst	Accuracy
Reviewer	Manager	Completeness
Approver	Controller/CFO	Messaging
Final	Designated signatory	Authority

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Phase 5: Distribution

MANDATORY: Control distribution

Distribution Checklist

Item	Status
Final version confirmed	Required
Approvals documented	Required
Distribution list verified	Required
Confidentiality noted	Required
Archive copy saved	Required

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Pressure Resistance

See shared-patterns/pressure-resistance.md for universal pressures.

Reporting-Specific Pressures

Pressure Type	Request	Agent Response
"Just use last month's format"	"Each report needs verification. I'll validate data and format."
"Skip the review, deadline is now"	"Review is required for accuracy. I'll expedite but not skip."
"Round the numbers for presentation"	"Accuracy requires precise figures. I'll note rounding methodology."
"Remove that unfavorable variance"	"All material variances must be disclosed. I'll include explanation."

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Anti-Rationalization Table

See shared-patterns/anti-rationalization.md for universal anti-rationalizations.

Reporting-Specific Anti-Rationalizations

Rationalization	Why It's WRONG	Required Action
"Same report as last month"	Each period is independent	VERIFY all data fresh
"Minor variance, not worth explaining"	All variances need explanation	EXPLAIN all variances
"Audience won't notice"	Accuracy is non-negotiable	BE ACCURATE
"Format is good enough"	Format affects understanding	FOLLOW requirements

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Execution Report

Upon completion, report:

Metric	Value
Duration	Xm Ys
Data Sources	N verified
Sections Completed	N
Variances Explained	N
Approvals	N/N obtained
Result	COMPLETE/PARTIAL

Quality Indicators

Indicator	Status
All data verified	YES/NO
All approvals obtained	YES/NO
Format requirements met	YES/NO
Distribution controlled	YES/NO