A special report is a detailed presentation of research processes and findings. It is usually written in a formal language, presents first-hand verifiable information and is well structured with relevant headings and sections. It often includes graphs and other visual representations of data to make it more attractive to the audience. The type of report that is used depends on the nature of the research and its target audience; for example, a qualitative research report is usually more descriptive and works with words, while a quantitative research report is based on numbers and is more technical.
In journalism, a special report is an in-depth investigation into a particular topic that could include exposing wrongdoing and corruption or analyzing complex subject matters for the reader. It is considered to be a valuable tool for increasing a journalist’s credibility and providing their readers with the most up-to-date and accurate information on a certain subject.
In the context of accounting, a special report is a financial report that deviates from the standard format of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). The special reports are typically used to comply with contractual agreements or regulatory provisions that require inclusion of specific sections, accounts or items in an audited financial statement. To avoid misinterpretation, it is recommended that the auditor add an explanatory paragraph to the report (immediately after the opinion paragraph) that describes what the financial statements are intended to present and refers to the note to the special-purpose financial statements that describe the basis of presentation.