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If you've been a consultant for any amount of time, you've heard a customer ask you "What are the best reports I should be using straight out of the box?". *Disclaimer that you might be at an end-user and have received this question or you've been the one asking this question.
Either way, you’re not alone. Lucky for you, I’ve been around the D365 block a few times and have some insights that’ll help you hit the ground running. Whether you’re in finance, operations, accounts payable (AP), or accounts receivable (AR), there's a report with your name on it (not literally).
So, grab your favorite beverage (Alani for me, thanks), and let’s jump into the recommended reports per business department in D365 F&O.
1. Finance Department: The Backbone of Every Business
1.1 Financial Statement Reports
Description: These reports, including the Balance Sheet, Income Statement, and Cash Flow Statement, provide a comprehensive overview of your organization’s financial health.
Justification:Â They are essential for decision-making, especially during financial reviews and audits.
How to Get There:Â Navigate to General Ledger > Inquiries and reports > Financial reports.
Frequency of Use:Â Monthly or quarterly, depending on your reporting cycle.
Intended Audience:Â CFO, Financial Controllers, and Finance Managers.
Learn More:Â Microsoft Learn - Financial Statements
1.2 Trial Balance
Description:Â A report showing the balance of all ledger accounts to ensure that debits equal credits.
Justification: It’s critical for verifying the integrity of your financial records before closing periods.
How to Get There:Â Navigate to General Ledger > Inquiries and reports > Trial balance.
Frequency of Use:Â Monthly, during the period close process.
Intended Audience:Â Accountants, Finance Managers.
Learn More:Â Microsoft Learn - Trial Balance
1.3 Budget vs. Actuals
Description:Â This report compares budgeted amounts with actual spending.
Justification:Â It helps you track financial performance and adherence to budget constraints.
How to Get There:Â Navigate to Budgeting > Inquiries and reports > Budget vs. actuals.
Frequency of Use:Â Monthly or quarterly, aligned with budget reviews.
Intended Audience:Â Finance Managers, Budget Analysts.
Learn More:Â Microsoft Learn - Budget vs. Actuals
2. Operations: Keeping the Wheels Turning
2.1 Production Order Reports
Description:Â Tracks the progress of production orders from start to finish.
Justification:Â Essential for monitoring manufacturing processes and ensuring timely completion of production.
How to Get There:Â Navigate to Production control > Inquiries and reports > Production order reports.
Frequency of Use:Â Daily or weekly, depending on production volume.
Intended Audience:Â Production Managers, Operations Managers.
Learn More:Â Microsoft Learn - Production Order Reports
2.2 Inventory Value Report
Description:Â Provides a snapshot of the current value of inventory on hand.
Justification:Â Critical for managing inventory costs and making informed decisions about stock levels.
How to Get There:Â Navigate to Inventory management > Inquiries and reports > Inventory value report.
Frequency of Use:Â Monthly, during financial close or inventory audits.
Intended Audience:Â Inventory Managers, Finance Managers.
Learn More:Â Microsoft Learn - Inventory Value Report
2.3 Master Planning Reports
Description:Â These reports include Planned Orders and Net Requirements, guiding the materials planning process.
Justification:Â They ensure that production has the necessary materials without overstocking, balancing supply and demand.
How to Get There:Â Navigate to Master planning > Inquiries and reports > Master planning reports.
Frequency of Use:Â Weekly, aligned with production scheduling.
Intended Audience:Â Supply Chain Managers, Operations Managers.
Learn More:Â Microsoft Learn - Master Planning Reports
3. Accounts Payable (AP): The Gatekeepers of Outflows
3.1 Vendor Invoice Transactions Report
Description:Â A detailed report of all vendor invoices, payments, and outstanding balances.
Justification:Â Helps ensure that vendor payments are accurate and on time.
How to Get There:Â Navigate to Accounts payable > Inquiries and reports > Vendor invoice transactions report.
Frequency of Use:Â Weekly, during payment processing.
Intended Audience:Â AP Clerks, Finance Managers.
Learn More:Â Microsoft Learn - Vendor Invoice Transactions
3.2 Aged Payables Report
Description:Â Breaks down outstanding payables by age, showing which invoices are overdue.
Justification:Â Vital for managing cash flow and avoiding late payment penalties.
How to Get There:Â Navigate to Accounts payable > Inquiries and reports > Aged payables.
Frequency of Use:Â Monthly, during financial reviews.
Intended Audience:Â AP Managers, Finance Managers.
Learn More:Â Microsoft Learn - Aged Payables
3.3 Vendor Performance Report
Description:Â Assesses vendor performance based on criteria like delivery times and quality.
Justification:Â Useful for vendor management and negotiations.
How to Get There:Â Navigate to Accounts payable > Inquiries and reports > Vendor performance report.
Frequency of Use:Â Quarterly, during vendor reviews.
Intended Audience:Â Procurement Managers, AP Managers.
Learn More:Â Microsoft Learn - Vendor Performance
4. Accounts Receivable (AR): The Revenue Champions
4.1 Customer Invoice Journal Report
Description:Â Tracks all customer invoices and their statuses.
Justification:Â Crucial for monitoring receivables and ensuring timely collection.
How to Get There:Â Navigate to Accounts receivable > Inquiries and reports > Customer invoice journal.
Frequency of Use:Â Weekly, during collection reviews.
Intended Audience:Â AR Clerks, Finance Managers.
Learn More:Â Microsoft Learn - Customer Invoice Journal
4.2 Aged Receivables Report
Description:Â Breaks down outstanding receivables by age, highlighting overdue payments.
Justification:Â Helps prioritize collection efforts and manage cash flow.
How to Get There:Â Navigate to Accounts receivable > Inquiries and reports > Aged receivables.
Frequency of Use:Â Monthly, during financial reviews.
Intended Audience:Â AR Managers, Finance Managers.
Learn More:Â Microsoft Learn - Aged Receivables
4.3 Credit Management Report
Description:Â Monitors customer credit limits and credit risks.
Justification:Â Essential for managing credit exposure and avoiding bad debt.
How to Get There:Â Navigate to Accounts receivable > Inquiries and reports > Credit management.
Frequency of Use:Â Monthly, during credit reviews.
Intended Audience:Â Credit Managers, AR Managers.
Learn More:Â Microsoft Learn - Credit Management
5. Human Resources (HR): The People People
5.1 Employee Details Report
Description:Â Provides comprehensive information on all employees, including job titles and compensation.
Justification:Â Important for managing personnel records and organizational structure.
How to Get There:Â Navigate to Human resources > Inquiries and reports > Employee details.
Frequency of Use:Â Monthly, for HR audits and updates.
Intended Audience:Â HR Managers, HR Analysts.
Learn More:Â Microsoft Learn - Employee Details
5.2 Absence Overview Report
Description:Â Tracks employee absences, including leave types and duration.
Justification:Â Helps manage workforce productivity and plan for absences.
How to Get There:Â Navigate to Human resources > Inquiries and reports > Absence overview.
Frequency of Use:Â Weekly or monthly, depending on workforce size.
Intended Audience:Â HR Managers, Operations Managers.
Learn More:Â Microsoft Learn - Absence Overview
5.3 Training and Development Report
Description:Â Tracks employee training courses and certifications.
Justification:Â Essential for ensuring that employees are compliant and up-to-date with required skills.
How to Get There:Â Navigate to Human resources > Inquiries and reports > Training and development.
Frequency of Use:Â Quarterly, during performance reviews.
Intended Audience:Â HR Managers, Learning & Development Teams.
Learn More:Â Microsoft Learn - Training and Development
6. Sales: Driving the Business Forward
6.1 Sales Order Reports
Description:Â Detailed view of all open sales orders, including status and delivery dates.
Justification:Â Critical for tracking customer orders and ensuring timely fulfillment.
How to Get There:Â Navigate to Sales and marketing > Inquiries and reports > Sales order reports.
Frequency of Use:Â Daily, for order tracking and customer communication.
Intended Audience:Â Sales Managers, Order Processing Teams.
Learn More:Â Microsoft Learn - Sales Order Reports
6.2 Sales Performance Report
Description:Â Analyzes sales data by product, region, or salesperson to measure performance.
Justification:Â Helps identify sales trends and optimize strategies.
How to Get There:Â Navigate to Sales and marketing > Inquiries and reports > Sales performance.
Frequency of Use:Â Monthly, during sales reviews.
Intended Audience:Â Sales Directors, Sales Managers.
Learn More:Â Microsoft Learn - Sales Performance
6.3 Customer Retention Report
Description:Â Tracks customer retention rates and identifies at-risk customers.
Justification:Â Vital for improving customer loyalty and retention strategies.
How to Get There:Â Navigate to Sales and marketing > Inquiries and reports > Customer retention.
Frequency of Use:Â Quarterly, during customer satisfaction reviews.
Intended Audience:Â Customer Success Managers, Sales Managers.
Learn More:Â Microsoft Learn - Customer Retention
Dad joke of the day
Why did the rabbit go to the salon? It was having a bad hare day.
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