I believe that using 'report' as a verb started in the military, then moved to the business workplace as a more formal way to describe hierarchy. I mostly hear it used as 'John reports to Bob' meaning that Bob is John's direct superior.
You would never hear this used in non-work or non-military situations.
Friends don't report to friends, or family, etc.
Personally I think it is a little pompous, I prefer 'John works for Bob'. But the 'suits' (corporate types) use a lot of jargon like this!