August 1, 2025 - Accounting Resources

English in Annual Reports: Practical or Pointless?

In today’s global business environment, English often serves as the default language of communication — especially in finance and international reporting. But what happens when your official documents, like annual reports, are prepared in a country where English has no legal status? This question is particularly relevant for businesses operating in countries that attract foreign investment, yet maintain local-language legal systems. Should companies invest time and resources into preparing English versions of their annual reports? Is it practical or pointless?