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ACCA Applied Knowledge · Business and Technology · Communicating in business

An accountant is writing a formal report for the board on the cost of a proposed new warehouse. Which section of the report is designed to let busy directors grasp the main findings and recommendations without reading the whole document?

The executive summary is the section that gives busy directors the main findings, conclusions and recommendations in short form at the front of the report. Terms of reference only define scope, and appendices contain supporting detail rather than a summary.

  1. ATerms of reference
  2. BAppendices
  3. CExecutive summaryCorrect
  4. DMethodology

Explanation

The executive summary condenses the key findings, conclusions and recommendations at the start of the report so senior readers can quickly understand it. Terms of reference set out the purpose and scope, and appendices hold supporting detail, so neither serves this purpose.

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