Who are the internal and external users of a company's financial statements?

Question

For what purpose do they use this information?

Answer 1

Internal: Board of directors(reviewing top managements performance and some decision making), Stock holders(reviewing top managements performance and decisions about selecting top management), Top management(determing both longterm and short term goals, assessing risks/opportunities/threats, and assessing profitability and potential), and people working for CFO(assessing Co. peformance and planning...)

External: Other stake holders (usually corporate suppliers and buyers who have a stake in how part of their value chain is run), Outside auditors (a requirement by Sarbanes and Oxly Act for publically traded companies, must attest to their accuracy to protect public from mismanagement
- CEO and CFO must also sign financial statements and risk fines and jail time for inaccuracies), and the Securities and Exchange Commission.(similar to outside auditors)

For further information i'd wikipedia/google some of the things mentioned...