Accounting information provides vital insight into a company's current financial position and is a valuable indicator into how a firm will perform in the future.
Company Management
With accounting information, management is able to evaluate a company's financial position, make appropriate use of resources, and plan how to take the company forward in the future.
Investors
Accounting data enables both individual and corporate investors to value how much a firm is worth and whether or not they should invest in the company.
Lenders
If a company is not in a strong financial position, lenders will fear the company will be unable to pay back the loan, and therefore reject the company's bid for a loan.
Tax Authorities
The corporate tax department relies on accounting data to calculate taxes owed; the tax authorities then review the financials to confirm the company is following tax guidelines and calculating taxes correctly.
Regulators
Some of the most important users of accounting information are regulators on the state and federal levels. Regulators have been much more aggressive in reviewing the accuracy of accounting information, doing their best to ensure the numbers represented in financials are prepared under strict accounting guidelines.