Despite calls to clear the clutter, the average length of companies' audited financial statements has more than doubled since 2005, with a 6% growth in the last year. A report by Deloitte, Finishing (in) figures: Surveying financial statements in annual reports, found that financial statements of listed companies have grown by 57% in the four years to 2009, averaging 47 pages. Investors have long been calling for more transparency in financial reports, but many are opposed to an increase in 'clutter'. The Financial Reporting Council issued its Louder Than Words report in June, in response to concerns that reports need to be less complex and more relevant for users. But the report by Deloitte found that if the 2008/09 increase remains the same every year to 2020, the average length for audited financial statements alone will be over 100 pages. Isobel Sharp, audit partner at Deloitte, said the findings are no surprise. 'Preparers of financial statements must comply with the International Financial Reporting Standards, which include approximately 3,000 required disclosure points. 'For the foreseeable future, financial statements will continue to get longer and longer as companies comply with the new rules that are coming into effect over the years ahead,' she said.