Flip your writing around

Gary Bandy

23 Feb 2026 — 1 min read

The problem with most financial documents is that they're written backwards.

The writer starts at the beginning of their analysis and drags the reader through every step until they finally reach the conclusion.

It's exhausting and it wastes time.

The way you solve a problem is not the way you should present the solution. Your reader doesn't need to see your workings: they need your answer.

So flip it around. Start with what matters most.

If you need a decision, put your recommendation at the top. Then explain why.
If you're sharing information, lead with the key messages. Make them impossible to miss.
If you're not sure what the document is for, that's actually useful information. It means you can ask your boss or the person who'll read it what they actually need BEFORE you write it. Sometimes they don't know either. That's fine. It's a chance to clarify what's really needed before you waste time writing the wrong thing.

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Your slides are a window into how you think.

The problem isn't the reader

There's an important skill your accountancy qualification didn't teach you

What's stopping you from learning how to fix your reports?