How long should you allow for annual report proofreading?

Annual reporting season is almost upon us! Yes, it’s that happy time of year when listed companies, government and not-for-profits experience a type of controlled panic, knowing they must prepare and publish comprehensive summaries of the past year’s financial performance for their shareholders. An important step in the production of an annual report is the proofreading process to ensure accuracy and brand reputation. But how long should you allow for annual report proofreading?

Does my annual report really need proofreading?

Of all the many kinds of business communication, the annual report is perhaps the most important and the most widely anticipated. It’s absolutely essential that such an important public-facing document is supremely well proofread. After all, it will be perused by a wide audience including stakeholders, shareholders, the media and the general public. Don’t make a poor impression and risk looking unprofessional by skimping on the proofreading process. Consider professional proofreading as an investment in preserving your business reputation.

Timings

Now that you’re convinced of the importance of proofreading, how much time should you allow for this meticulous review of one of your most important business documents? In an ideal world: As much time as possible. In reality: Assuming the report is 120 pages long, then you should allow 3-4 business days per round of proofreading by a professional proofreader. And, to ensure your annual report is complete by the due date, it is always better to err on the side of caution and add in a time buffer.

What factors affect the time it takes to proofread an annual report?

The length of the annual report is the most obvious factor. The more pages there are, the longer it takes to proofread. However, you also need to take into account the complexity of the content. Are the pages text dense? How many pages of the report are devoted to financial reporting? If your business requires compliance with a house style guide then an expert proofreader will take particular care in ensuring that your document meets all the specific requirements of this standard. This too can have an effect on the time proofreading takes. The format of the annual report document will also make a difference. In general, Word documents are easier to proofread and mark-up than PDF documents.

Where to go for professional proofreading help

The Proof Communications team of expert proofreaders has been proofreading the annual reports some of Australia’s most well-known companies for decades. We’d be more than happy to have a chat with you about how we can make a difference to your business through our professional proofreading services. So get in touch today or give us a call on 1300 PROOFS (1300 776 637) and we’ll assist in any way we can.