Online Reporting Award
Since the implementation of the Simpler Regulatory System Bill by the Australian Government in 2007, many listed companies have distributed annual reports online and provided hard copies only upon request. While regulations covering public sector reports still require full printed documents, there is significant use of online reporting by government sector and community organisations. This Award seeks to recognise the effectiveness and quality of Online Reporting for publicly listed companies, government bodies and not-for-profit organisations (charities, clubs and community bodies).
The Award recognises the special nature of the electronic medium and the necessary changes in presentation and access that online reports need to employ to attract, inform and hold the reader. The primary requirements for the online report are:
it must be easy to find and access;
it must be easy to read and understand on the screen
it must be easy to navigate between the different parts of the report; and
satisfy the needs of online users. Online users should be able to view, understand, extract and print all, or any part of, the report.
ARA expects the critical disclosure elements of the General Award Criteria to be applied.
ARA acknowledges the support of Designate Group in the development of these criteria and the Australian Investor Relations Association for their advice published in ‘Electronic Communications Guidelines for Australasian Listed Entities’.
The Online Annual Report should strive for excellence in:
Communication Design:
Is the Online Report designed for screen viewing?
Can the Report be easily read online?
Can the reader control the font size? Does any colour contrast between text and background enhance or detract from the reports readability?
Is the Online Report different to the printed version?
Does it allow multiple levels of readership such as skimming and in-depth reading?
Does the Report effectively highlight critical messages and text?
Are images used to enhance or do they detract from the message?
Are images captioned effectively?
Has any flash, animation, audio, video etc been used? Has it been effective or a distraction? Does it slow down the file? Does it impair or enhance the communication?
Accessibility:
Is the Report easily accessed from the website?
Is the method of navigation intuitive and easy to use?
Does the Report have a table of contents/index? Are the contents and index linked to the main sections of the Report?
Can the user move within sections and between sections? Between levels? Does the user have to go through too many levels?
Does the report provide interactive links to relevant sites/documents?
Can users quickly get the information they want? Does the user always know where they are, in the Report?
Does the Report use clarifying descriptions when necessary?
Can readers copy and paste information for their own use?
Can financial information be accessed in spreadsheet form? Is it already available in that form?
Is all referenced information linked to its relevant page?
Is there a site map and help button?
Printability:
Is the Online Report designed and produced to allow for the purpose of printing?
Is the Online Report set up for quick, cheap and efficient printing?
Can the Report be downloaded in full for later reading and printing?
Can individual sections of the report be downloaded for later reading and printing?
Can the user print directly from the page they are viewing?
Transparency:
Is there access to the full annual report?
Are readers able to choose the information they want.
Are graphs, tables and diagrams clear and easy to read and easy to understand?
Are there links to any other parts of the organisation’s website or other websites for further information?
Was the Online Report available quickly after the results were released? Was it available by the time the printed version was mailed?
Are Senior Management and Directors clearly taking responsibility for the Report content?
Branding and Values:
Does the Online Report consistently reflect the branding of the organisation?
Does the Report visualise the organisation’s values?
Does the Report relate to the website?