Microfinance reporting has something to learn from how university applications and tax returns are filed.  Every year in the United States, millions of high school students complete lengthy university admissions applications hoping to secure one or more spots at their top choices, all of which have their own admissions applications.  Thanks to the Common Application, students can provide most of the necessary information through a single application, only answering questions from individual universities if they fall outside that application.  Similarly, every year, millions of taxpayers must file tax declarations to multiple levels of government to determine their tax obligations for each one.  Online tax preparation software (such as TurboTax or H&R Block) determines what authorities the filer must report to, and then gathers the information to meet those requirements.  The filer only enters each piece of information once.  In each case, technology offers solutions that reduce the burden on individuals; microfinance should take a cue from these solutions.