Beyond compliance: Are organisations missing a trick in their reporting?

Corporate reporting is evolving fast — but are organisations making the most of it?

As integrated reporting becomes more widespread, combining financial and non-financial disclosures is now standard practice. According to KPMG, 97% of Australia’s top 100 listed companies now report on sustainability — a leap that mirrors global trends. But while compliance has advanced, engagement hasn’t always kept pace.

Since the 1990s, annual and sustainability reporting has become more structured, standardised and, often, technical. That shift has delivered consistency — but sometimes at the cost of storytelling, culture, and clarity. In many cases, the distinct voice of an organisation is lost in a sea of frameworks, metrics, and acronyms.

And that’s a missed opportunity.

Today’s reporting should do more than tick regulatory boxes — it should communicate vision, purpose and impact to a diverse set of audiences. This is especially important for smaller organisations, who may lack a large communication team, and for whom the annual report remains a key opportunity to explain what they do, how they do it, and why it matters.

The IFRS Foundation, which developed the International Integrated Reporting Framework, champions a more narrative-led approach — one that connects strategy, operations, outcomes, and long-term value. But putting this into practice can be challenging. Complexity can lead to rigidity, and many reports fall into the trap of being informative, but not inspiring.

Telling the story well: Smart ways to engage

Some organisations are showing what’s possible when communication and reporting come together.

In 2024, Cancer Council Queensland paired its traditional report with a digital microsite for the broader community and donors — using stories, video, and accessible writing to showcase its impact. It’s a compelling example of how tailored content can connect with different audiences.

Stanmore Resources also took a dual approach, publishing a microsite alongside its printed suite. But this time, the aim was clarity — condensing sustainability insights into a single page to make content fast to find and easy to absorb.

There are also standout moments within traditional formats. The St George Community Housing 2023 Annual Report perfectly aligns brand, storytelling, and disclosure, while Lendlease’s 2023 Annual Report reimagines how a business can share its strategy and culture through a section titled Create — a powerful extension of the report’s name that reinforces its central theme.

These examples prove that great reporting isn’t just about what you report — but how you report it.

Rowland’s view: Make it count

At Rowland, we’ve been helping clients get this balance right for more than 30 years. We partner with public and private organisations across sectors, producing around 40 reports each year. We know what it takes to meet compliance requirements — and we know how to take it further.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Australasian Reporting Awards (ARA), which continue to champion reporting as a pillar of good governance. Rowland is proud to be a partner and sponsor — and to have judged this year’s Best Cover Design category.

The lesson from ARA and the wider reporting landscape is clear: compliance is the baseline, not the goal. Great reporting informs, yes — but it also connects, builds trust, and reinforces your brand in a world that craves authenticity and transparency.

So don’t just report. Communicate. Elevate. Lead.