MIS Reporting: documents and preparation checklist

Useful MIS starts with a decision the founder needs to make, not a large dashboard.

For founders and management teams, the document list should follow the actual work required. Explain your legal entity, business activity, relevant period and any pending applications or queries. A generic checklist is a starting point, not confirmation that every item applies or that no further evidence will be requested.

Prepare reconciled books, budgets, sales drivers and operational metrics with consistent definitions.

Keep records in clearly labelled folders and preserve original dates and references. Where a record is incomplete, note who can obtain it rather than substituting a guessed figure or an unsigned draft.

Check that legal names, identification details, addresses and relevant accounting periods agree across the records. For financial work, reconcile opening balances and movements; for applications, establish who is authorised to sign and how the premises or activity is evidenced.

An attractive report with inconsistent definitions can lead management to compare incompatible numbers.

Use an agreed secure channel for identity and financial records. Retain control of your business email and verification channels. Do not put passwords, one-time codes or digital-signature credentials in an enquiry form. Agree how delegated access is granted and removed.

Keep metric definitions, the monthly report pack and a record of agreed management actions.

A services business should distinguish billed revenue, collections and delivery cost when reviewing margins.

Send an initial document index and list what is still missing. Ask which omissions prevent work from starting, which can be resolved during preparation and which could change the recommended approach.