Which report links financial resources with outputs and outcomes?

The correct answer is performance reports because they specifically focus on measuring the efficiency and effectiveness of government programs by linking the financial resources allocated to specific outputs and the resulting outcomes. These reports evaluate whether the resources provided to a program translate into the intended results and impacts, thereby providing insight into the performance of government operations.

Performance reports are crucial for accountability and transparency in government, as they help stakeholders understand how financial investments are being utilized and whether those investments achieve the desired goals. This direct connection between financial inputs, outputs (such as services delivered), and outcomes (like improvements in public welfare) is what distinguishes performance reports from other types of financial documentation.

Other options, while valuable, do not establish this particular link as clearly. The statement of activities primarily details revenues and expenses over a period, general-purpose external financial reports focus on broader financial statements for external users, and agency financial reports encompass a range of financial information but do not necessarily provide the same level of outcome-focused detail as performance reports.