Users of financial information include individuals, groups, or entities that rely on financial data to make decisions about a company's financial performance, market position, and prospects.
Users are classified as internal and external users.
Internal users of financial information are individuals within a company who utilize financial data to make operational decisions and manage resources effectively.
This includes management teams, department heads, and employees responsible for budgeting and performance analysis.
For example, production managers use financial data to analyze costs related to manufacturing processes, such as materials, labor, and other expenses.
They utilize this information to make decisions about reducing costs while maintaining the quality of the product.
External users, on the other hand, are individuals or entities outside the organization. This includes investors, creditors, regulators, and customers.
For instance, investors may use financial reports to evaluate the company's profitability and growth potential before investing in its stocks or bonds.
Internal and external users are known as stakeholders, as they share a common interest in the company.