Imagine a company report as a story. In the past, that story might have focused only on the numbers—the revenue, profits and expenses. But integrated reporting paints a fuller picture, weaving together the financial narrative with details about how the company impacts the planet, its workforce and society. 

This is because business performance cannot be measured solely by financial results. As stakeholders demand more transparency and accountability, companies are increasingly adopting integrated reporting to provide a clearer, more comprehensive view of their performance. 

“At its core, integrated reporting is not about integrating multiple systems or technical processes,” says Alwyn Pretorius, GM at Infinitus Reporting Solutions – creators of Finnivo™. “It’s about combining different types of information into one cohesive report to show the full picture of a company’s value creation over time.”

And while traditional financial statements focus on a company’s financial performance, integrated reporting goes beyond that. It incorporates a variety of factors, including environmental considerations, social impacts and governance practices. This multi-dimensional approach reflects the growing understanding that long-term value is built not just on profits but on the company’s broader social, environmental and ethical contributions.

Why is integrated reporting important?

Today’s investors and stakeholders are increasingly looking for more than just financial returns. They want to know how companies manage environmental and social risks, how they handle governance issues, and how they plan for the future. By offering a transparent view of all these elements, integrated reporting helps to build investor and stakeholder trust and credibility.

What’s more, companies that adopt integrated reporting can also attract a broader pool of investors, particularly those with an interest in ESG (environmental, social and governance) factors. Investors are now prioritising companies that demonstrate a commitment to sustainability, ethical practices and resilience, rather than just short-term profits.

While the benefits of integrated reporting are clear, the thought of compiling an integrated report for many businesses may seem daunting. It’s not just about pulling together financial data—it’s about gathering insights from various areas of the company, including carbon footprint, employee welfare, social impact, and corporate governance. These areas are often handled by different teams within the organisation, with distinct processes for reporting on each one.

Technology has made it easier to streamline this process. With the right reporting tools, businesses can manage and consolidate data from multiple departments, ensuring a more accurate and efficient approach to integrated reporting. As such, instead of relying on disconnected spreadsheets or separate reports, organisations can bring together financial and non-financial metrics in a single, cohesive report. This not only saves time but also ensures consistency, helping companies provide stakeholders with a clear, comprehensive view of their overall performance.

“With the right data in place, it takes just one individual to generate and publish a report that provides a holistic view of the company’s performance, encompassing financial results, sustainability efforts, social initiatives, and governance practices,” says Pretorius. "Finnivo is a platform designed to simplify this process by allowing different teams to contribute to the reporting process while ensuring the final output is comprehensive and aligned with integrated reporting standards."

Pretorius adds that, by providing a unified platform for managing and combining data, Finnivo ensures that companies can easily produce an integrated report that meets the growing demand for transparency and accountability. This not only saves time but also ensures accuracy, helping companies deliver consistent, credible information to their stakeholders.

The future of integrated reporting in South Africa

In South Africa, where many businesses are still navigating complex economic conditions, adopting integrated reporting offers a significant opportunity. It allows companies to demonstrate their resilience and long-term planning, which in turn helps to build trust among investors and customers. As global expectations for ESG transparency continue to grow, companies that embrace integrated reporting will be better positioned to thrive in an increasingly competitive market.

Whilst companies listed on the JSE are required to submit integrated reports on a comply or explain basis, many non-listed organisations are starting to appreciate the benefits of presenting a fuller, clearer and more meaningful picture of their performance to their financiers.  Integrated reporting has become a valuable means by which companies can show their value to investors, customers and the world. And with the right tools, like Finnivo, implementing integrated reporting can be more accessible and manageable than ever before.