Report vs. Account — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 6, 2024
A report typically presents information analyzed or collected about an event or subject, while an account gives a personal or narrative description of events.
Difference Between Report and Account
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A report often involves the objective presentation of data, focusing on facts, figures, and findings relevant to a particular issue or situation. In contrast, an account is more subjective, offering a personal or descriptive narrative that reflects individual perspectives or experiences.
Reports are usually structured with formal elements such as an introduction, methodology, results, and conclusions. They are common in business, science, and academia. On the other hand, accounts can be informal and are found in personal narratives, journalism, and history, focusing more on storytelling than on strict data presentation.
The purpose of a report is typically to inform decision-making or provide analysis based on research and evidence. Whereas, an account aims to convey experiences, often with the intent to entertain, educate, or inform about personal or historical perspectives.
In terms of audience, reports are generally intended for stakeholders interested in an objective analysis, such as managers, scholars, or policymakers. Conversely, accounts are directed at a broader audience, which might include general readers, students, or anyone interested in a particular event or story.
The language used in reports is formal and technical, tailored to convey clarity and precision. Accounts, however, often employ a more conversational tone, sometimes using idiomatic expressions and a more engaging narrative style.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
A document presenting structured information and analysis.
A description or narrative of events, often personal.
Purpose
To inform, analyze, or guide decision-making.
To narrate, entertain, or inform about personal or historical events.
Structure
Formal, with sections like introduction, methodology, results.
Looser structure, often narrative.
Audience
Stakeholders needing objective analysis.
General public or anyone interested in the story.
Language Style
Formal, technical.
Conversational, possibly idiomatic.
Compare with Definitions
Report
A document detailing the findings of a study.
The report on climate change was published last week.
Account
A service arrangement by a client with a provider.
She opened a new account with the internet service provider.
Report
A systematic presentation of facts.
The annual financial report was very detailed.
Account
A record of a business's financial transactions.
The audit checked every account thoroughly.
Report
A summary of research or information.
He delivered a comprehensive report on the market trends.
Account
A narrative or description of events.
She gave a vivid account of her trip to India.
Report
A formal account of the proceedings of a meeting.
She wrote the report of the board meeting.
Account
A report of financial expenditures and receipts.
He is responsible for managing the company’s account.
Report
A paper giving information obtained through investigation.
The police filed a report on the incident.
Account
A personal interpretation or version of events.
Each witness had a different account of what happened.
Report
A report is a document that presents information in an organized format for a specific audience and purpose. Although summaries of reports may be delivered orally, complete reports are almost always in the form of written documents.
Account
A narrative or record of events.
Report
A formal account of the proceedings or transactions of a group
A company's annual report.
Account
A reason given for a particular action or event
What is the account for this loss?.
Report
A spoken or written account of an event, usually presented in detail
A news report.
Reports of children getting food poisoning.
Account
A report relating to one's conduct
Gave a satisfactory account of herself.
Report
A person who is accountable or subordinate to another person within a company or organization
A manager with two reports.
Account
A basis or ground
No reason to worry on that account.
Report
Reports(Law) Bound volumes containing the published court opinions in legal cases, intended to provide a reference for precedents in subsequent cases.
Account
A formal banking, brokerage, or business relationship established to provide for regular services, dealings, and other financial transactions.
Report
Reputation; repute
We know him only by report.
Account
A precise list or enumeration of financial transactions.
Report
(Archaic) Common talk; rumor or gossip.
Account
A sum of money deposited for checking, savings, or brokerage use.
Report
An explosive noise
The report of a rifle.
Account
A customer having a business or credit relationship with a firm
Salespeople visiting their accounts.
Report
To make or present an official or formal account of
The study reported a decline in heart disease. The audit reports that the company lost money.
Account
A private access to a computer system or online service, usually requiring a password to enter.
Report
To write or provide an account or summation of for publication or broadcast
Report the news.
Account
Worth, standing, or importance
A landowner of some account.
Report
To tell about the presence or occurrence of
A burglar was reported in the area.
Account
Profit or advantage
Turned her writing skills to good account.
Report
To relate or tell, especially from personal experience
They reported that fallen tree limbs were blocking the road.
Account
To consider as being; deem. See Usage Note at as1.
Report
To submit or relate the results of considerations concerning
The committee reported the bill.
Account
(accounting) A registry of pecuniary transactions; a written or printed statement of business dealings or debts and credits, and also of other things subjected to a reckoning or review.
Report
To carry back and repeat to another
Reported the rumor of a strike.
Account
(banking) A bank account.
Report
To complain about or denounce
Reported the students to the principal.
Account
A statement in general of reasons, causes, grounds, etc., explanatory of some event; a reason of an action to be done.
No satisfactory account has been given of these phenomena.
Report
To make a report
Would you please report on what happened?.
Account
A reason, grounds, consideration, motive; a person's sake.
Don't trouble yourself on my account.
On no account
On every account
On all accounts
Report
To serve as a reporter for a publication, broadcasting company, or other news media.
Account
A record of events; a relation or narrative.
An account of a battle.
Report
To present oneself
Report for duty.
Account
An estimate or estimation; valuation; judgment.
Report
To be accountable or subordinate to someone
She reports directly to the board of directors.
Account
Importance; worth; value; esteem; judgement.
Report
(transitive) To repeat (something one has heard), to retell; to pass on, convey (a message, information etc.).
Account
Authorization as a specific registered user in accessing a system.
I've opened an account with Wikipedia so that I can contribute and partake in the project.
Report
To take oneself (to someone or something) for guidance or support; to appeal.
Account
(archaic) A reckoning; computation; calculation; enumeration; a record of some reckoning.
Report
To notify someone of (particular intelligence, suspicions, illegality, misconduct etc.); to make notification to relevant authorities; to submit a formal report of.
For insurance reasons, I had to report the theft to the local police station.
Account
(uncountable) Profit; advantage.
The young man soon turned his woodworking skills to some account.
Report
(transitive) To make a formal statement, especially of complaint, about (someone).
If you do that again I'll report you to the boss.
Account
To provide explanation.
Report
(intransitive) To show up or appear at an appointed time; to present oneself.
Account
To present an account of; to answer for, to justify.
Report
(ambitransitive) To write news reports (for); to cover as a journalist or reporter.
Andrew Marr reports now on more in-fighting at Westminster.
Every newspaper reported the war.
Account
To give an account of financial transactions, money received etc.
Report
(intransitive) To be accountable to or subordinate to (someone) in a hierarchy; to receive orders from (someone); to give official updates to (someone who is above oneself in a hierarchy).
The financial director reports to the CEO.
Now that I've been promoted, I report to Benjamin, whom I loathe.
Account
(transitive) To estimate, consider (something to be as described).
Report
To return or present as the result of an examination or consideration of any matter officially referred.
The committee reported the bill with amendments, or reported a new bill, or reported the results of an inquiry.
Account
(intransitive) To consider that.
Report
To take minutes of (a speech, the doings of a public body, etc.); to write down from the lips of a speaker.
Account
(intransitive) To give a satisfactory evaluation for financial transactions, money received etc.
An officer must account with or to the treasurer for money received.
Report
(obsolete) To refer.
Account
(intransitive) To give a satisfactory evaluation for (one's actions, behaviour etc.); to answer for.
We must account for the use of our opportunities.
Report
To return or repeat, as sound; to echo.
Account
(intransitive) To give a satisfactory reason for; to explain.
Idleness accounts for poverty.
Report
A piece of information describing, or an account of certain events given or presented to someone, with the most common adpositions being by (referring to creator of the report) and on (referring to the subject).
A report by the telecommunications ministry on the phone network revealed a severe capacity problem.
Account
(intransitive) To establish the location for someone.
After the crash, not all passengers were accounted for.
Report
Reputation.
Account
(intransitive) To cause the death, capture, or destruction of someone or something (+ for).
Report
(firearms) The sharp, loud sound from a gun or explosion.
Account
To count.
Report
An employee whose position in a corporate hierarchy is below that of a particular manager.
Account
To calculate, work out (especially with periods of time).
Report
To refer.
Baldwin, his son, . . . succeeded his father; so like unto him that we report the reader to the character of King Almeric, and will spare the repeating his description.
Account
(obsolete) To count (up), enumerate.
Report
To bring back, as an answer; to announce in return; to relate, as what has been discovered by a person sent to examine, explore, or investigate; as, a messenger reports to his employer what he has seen or ascertained; the committee reported progress.
There is no man that may reporten all.
Account
(obsolete) To recount, relate (a narrative etc.).
Report
To give an account of; to relate; to tell; to circulate publicly, as a story; as, in the common phrase, it is reported.
It is reported among the heathen, and Gashmu saith it, that thou and the Jews think to rebel.
Account
A reckoning; computation; calculation; enumeration; a record of some reckoning; as, the Julian account of time.
A beggarly account of empty boxes.
Report
To give an official account or statement of; as, a treasurer reports the receipts and expenditures.
Account
A registry of pecuniary transactions; a written or printed statement of business dealings or debts and credits, and also of other things subjected to a reckoning or review; as, to keep one's account at the bank.
Report
To return or repeat, as sound; to echo.
Account
A statement in general of reasons, causes, grounds, etc., explanatory of some event; as, no satisfactory account has been given of these phenomena. Hence, the word is often used simply for reason, ground, consideration, motive, etc.; as, on no account, on every account, on all accounts.
Report
To return or present as the result of an examination or consideration of any matter officially referred; as, the committee reported the bill witth amendments, or reported a new bill, or reported the results of an inquiry.
Account
A statement of facts or occurrences; recital of transactions; a relation or narrative; a report; a description; as, an account of a battle.
Report
To make minutes of, as a speech, or the doings of a public body; to write down from the lips of a speaker.
Account
A statement and explanation or vindication of one's conduct with reference to judgment thereon.
Give an account of thy stewardship.
Report
To write an account of for publication, as in a newspaper; as, to report a public celebration or a horse race.
Account
An estimate or estimation; valuation; judgment.
Report
To make a statement of the conduct of, especially in an unfavorable sense; as, to report a servant to his employer.
Account
Importance; worth; value; advantage; profit.
This other part . . . makes account to find no slender arguments for this assertion out of those very scriptures which are commonly urged against it.
Report
To make a report, or response, in respect of a matter inquired of, a duty enjoined, or information expected; as, the committee will report at twelve o'clock.
Account
To reckon; to compute; to count.
The motion of . . . the sun whereby years are accounted.
Report
To furnish in writing an account of a speech, the proceedings at a meeting, the particulars of an occurrence, etc., for publication.
Account
To place to one's account; to put to the credit of; to assign; - with to.
Report
To present one's self, as to a superior officer, or to one to whom service is due, and to be in readiness for orders or to do service; also, to give information, as of one's address, condition, etc.; as, the officer reported to the general for duty; to report weekly by letter.
Account
To value, estimate, or hold in opinion; to judge or consider; to deem.
Accounting that God was able to raise him up.
Report
That which is reported.
It was a true report that I heard in mine own land of thy acts and of thy wisdom.
Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and . . . of good report among all the nation of the Jews.
Account
To recount; to relate.
Report
Sound; noise; as, the report of a pistol or cannon.
Account
To render or receive an account or relation of particulars; as, an officer must account with or to the treasurer for money received.
Report
Rapport; relation; connection; reference.
The corridors worse, having no report to the wings they join to.
Account
To render an account; to answer in judgment; - with for; as, we must account for the use of our opportunities.
Report
A written document describing the findings of some individual or group;
This accords with the recent study by Hill and Dale
Account
To give a satisfactory reason; to tell the cause of; to explain; - with for; as, idleness accounts for poverty.
Newer was preaching more accounted of than in the sixteenth century.
Report
A short account of the news;
The report of his speech
The story was on the 11 o'clock news
The account of his speech that was given on the evening news made the governor furious
Account
A formal contractual relationship established to provide for regular banking or brokerage or business services;
He asked to see the executive who handled his account
Report
The act of informing by verbal report;
He heard reports that they were causing trouble
By all accounts they were a happy couple
Account
The act of informing by verbal report;
He heard reports that they were causing trouble
By all accounts they were a happy couple
Report
A sharp explosive sound (especially the sound of a gun firing);
They heard a violent report followed by silence
Account
A record or narrative description of past events;
A history of France
He gave an inaccurate account of the plot to kill the president
The story of exposure to lead
Report
A written evaluation of a student's scholarship and deportment;
His father signed his report card
Account
A short account of the news;
The report of his speech
The story was on the 11 o'clock news
The account of his speech that was given on the evening news made the governor furious
Report
An essay (especially one written as an assignment);
He got an A on his composition
Account
A statement of recent transactions and the resulting balance;
They send me an accounting every month
Report
The general estimation that the public has for a person;
He acquired a reputation as an actor before he started writing
He was a person of bad report
Account
A statement that makes something comprehensible by describing the relevant structure or operation or circumstances etc.;
The explanation was very simple
I expected a brief account
Report
To give an account or representation of in words;
Discreet Italian police described it in a manner typically continental
Account
An itemized statement of money owed for goods shipped or services rendered;
He paid his bill and left
Send me an account of what I owe
Report
Announce as the result of an investigation, or announce something to the proper authorities;
Dozens of incidents of wife beatings are reported daily in this city
The team reported significant advances in their research
Account
Grounds;
Don't do it on my account
The paper was rejected on account of its length
He tried to blame the victim but his success on that score was doubtful
Report
Announce one's presence;
I report to work every day at 9 o'clock
Account
Importance or value;
A person of considerable account
He predicted that although it is of small account now it will rapidly increase in importance
Report
Make known to the authorities;
One student reported the other to the principal
Account
The quality of taking advantage;
She turned her writing skills to good account
Report
Be responsible for reporting the details of, as in journalism;
Snow reported on China in the 1950's
The cub reporter covered New York City
Account
Be the sole or primary factor in the existence, acquisition, supply, or disposal of something;
Passing grades account for half of the grades given in this exam
Report
Complain about; make a charge against;
I reported her to the superviser
Account
Keep an account of
Account
To give an account or representation of in words;
Discreet Italian police described it in a manner typically continental
Account
Furnish a justifying analysis or explanation;
I can't account for the missing money
Common Curiosities
What is the primary focus of a report?
The primary focus of a report is to present researched facts and findings for informational and decision-making purposes.
Can an account be considered reliable like a report?
An account can vary in reliability, often subjective and based on personal perspectives, unlike the objective nature of reports.
Are reports and accounts used differently in business?
Yes, reports are used for analysis and strategic planning, while accounts may be used for marketing or sharing experiences.
How does the audience influence the writing style of reports and accounts?
The audience for reports expects technical accuracy, leading to a formal style; accounts target a broader audience, allowing for a more engaging tone.
How does the structure of a report differ from an account?
A report is structured with specific sections like methodology and conclusions, while an account has a more flexible, narrative format.
How are accounts used in journalism?
Journalists often use accounts to provide detailed storytelling and personal perspectives on events.
Why might someone choose to write an account over a report?
To provide a more personal, engaging narrative that might connect better with certain audiences.
How does the intent behind reports and accounts differ?
Reports aim to inform objectively and support decision-making, whereas accounts often aim to engage or entertain while informing.
What types of reports are commonly produced in professional settings?
Business, scientific, and technical reports are common, focusing on delivering structured and detailed information.
What is the difference in language use between reports and accounts?
Reports use formal, precise language, while accounts may include more colloquial and expressive language.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
