We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Accounting

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is an Ad Hoc Report?

Mary McMahon
By
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 18,540
Share

An ad hoc report is a report a person creates in response to a specific request for information, rather than at set intervals or as part of routine reporting. Supervisors can request such reports for a variety of reasons and usually provide a time frame for completion, such as a request that the report be submitted by the end of the business day. Tools to assist with creation of such reports are available, depending on the nature of the business and the request.

The Latin phrase “ad hoc” means “for this,” referencing the idea that the report is commissioned for a particular purpose, and covers a specific topic. A request for an ad hoc report may involve internal information such as sales data, employee performance, and so forth. It can also include external information, like data on changing market conditions, consumer expectations, and other topics. When a request for an ad hoc report is made, it should include a detailed discussion of what is expected on the report.

Secretaries and other administrative personnel are usually tasked with this kind of work. They collect data from company databases and outside research like reviewing trade publications and news reports. Software programs often have templates people can use to quickly generate reports. These may tie in with databases to allow for the generation of charts, graphs, and other visual presentations of data, drawing directly on the database rather than forcing the person to create the presentation from scratch.

Some reasons to ask for an ad hoc report can include exploratory plans to launch new products and services, preliminary market research, and preparation for overhauls of business practices and plans. In all cases, initial data will act as a guide for personnel who need to make decisions about how to proceed. The ad hoc report can identify particular issues and will highlight activities to pursue or avoid. For example, the report may show that industry standards are about to change, making it unwise to invest in a system designed to facilitate compliance with existing standards, because the company would need to upgrade in the near future.

While an ad hoc report is ordered within a short time period, it still needs to comply with professional presentation standards. This includes proofreading for typos, mistakes, and readability, formatting the document properly, and following any internal standards set by the company for issuing reports. Having a template can help with this, as it is possible to slot information into the template to make sure the report follows a familiar overall structure.

Share
SmartCapitalMind is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Mary McMahon
By Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a SmartCapitalMind researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Discussion Comments
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a...

Learn more
Share
https://www.smartcapitalmind.com/what-is-an-ad-hoc-report.htm
Copy this link
SmartCapitalMind, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

SmartCapitalMind, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.