Writing Guide for Business

I. Accounting

II. Finance

III. Additional Resources

A. Grant Writing

B. Professional Writing Handouts and Resources

Accounting

Types of Writing in Accounting

Memos and E-Mail: Memos are often used for communication within an organization.  Memos may be of any length, from one sentence to several pages.  They may be less formal than letters written to people out side the organization, but well-written memos have the same qualities as good letters: clarity, conciseness, coherence, and courtesy.  Many memos are now written in the form of e-mail messages.  E-mail is especially convenient, so several special considerations should be observed when using e-mail:

     - Address messages carefully
     - E-mail may be read by unintended recipients
     - E-mail can be saved and used as proof of communication
     - Avoid sending junk e-mail

Letters: Accountants may write letters to a variety of people including clients, government agencies, and fellow professionals.  They may write letters seeking data about a client's tax situation or information needed for an audit.  They may also write letters to communicate the results of research into a technical accounting problem.  Other letters an account might write include engagement letters and management advisory letters.  Effective letters contain correct, complete information, and they are usually written with specific readers in mind.  They are also written in an active, direct style.  They are coherent, clear, and concise.  They are also neat and attractive with a professional appearance.

Reports: A report usually involves analysis of an accounting problem and application of accounting principles to a particular situation.  It may also require some research of professional literature or other material.  Reports vary in length, but all reports should meet basic criteria:

- Accounting content should be accurate
     - Organization should be coherent
     - Report should be presented attractively
     - Writing style should be clear and concise

Finance

What do finance people write?
All finance people write internal memos to supervisors, colleagues, and subordinates to request or provide information and letters to clients, agencies, and a variety of readers.  Financial analysts write reports to management on financial performance and presentations to investors.  Securities analysts write reports on the financial prospects of companies, and financial planners write programs for people to follow.

Types of Writing in Finance

Memos and E-Mail: Memos are often used for communication within an organization.  Memos may be of any length, from one sentence to several pages.  They may be less formal than letters written to people out side the organization, but well-written memos have the same qualities as good letters: clarity, conciseness, coherence, and courtesy.  Many memos are now written in the form of e-mail messages.  E-mail is especially convenient, so several special considerations should be observed when using e-mail:

     - Address messages carefully
     - E-mail may be read by unintended recipients
     - E-mail can be saved and used as proof of communication
     - Avoid sending junk e-mail

Letters: People in finance may write letters to a variety of people including clients, government agencies, and fellow professionals.  They may write letters seeking data about suppliers' credit policies, to report to investors on their portfolios' performance, and to inform concerned parties in any merger or acquisition activity.   They may also write letters to communicate the results of research into a technical finance problem.  Other letters a person in finance might write include engagement letters and management advisory letters.  Effective letters contain correct, complete information, and they are usually written with specific readers in mind.  They are also written in an active, direct style.  They are coherent, clear, and concise.  They are also neat and attractive with a professional appearance.

Reports: A report usually involves analysis of a financial problem and applies finance principles to a particular situation.  It may also require some research of professional literature or other material.  Reports vary in length, but all reports should meet basic criteria:

- Financial content should be accurate
     - Organization should be coherent
     - Report should be presented attractively
     - Writing style should be clear and concise

Additional Business and Management Writing Resources

Basic Elements of Grant Writing
This site from the Corporation of Public Broadcasting offers advice on each step of the process of grant writing.

http://www.cpb.org/grants/grantwriting.html

Professional Writing Handouts and Resources

Brought to you by the Purdue University Online Writing Lab

This collection of handouts will provide you with information about various aspects of business, technical, and professional writing.

http://owl.english.purdue.edu/handouts/pw/

Credits

George Mason University School of Management

http://classweb.gmu.edu/WAC/somguide/

May & May, Effective Writing: A Handbook for Accountants (2003)

May, & May, Effective Writing: A Handbook for Finance People (1999)