1. Use
   1. reporting
      1. investors (stockholders)
      2. stakeholders
      3. creditors
   2. decision making
   3. control
2. Products
   1. income
      1. revenues and expenses
         1. net sales
         2. costs of goods sold
         3. gross profit
         4. operating expenses
      2. measures of earnings
         1. EBIT
         2. earnings before taxes
         3. net income
      3. percentage of sales
   2. balance sheet
      1. current assets
      2. fixed assets
      3. liabilities and owner's equity
      4. percentage of total assets measurement
3. Ratio analysis
   1. liquidity
      1. current ratio
      2. quick ratio
   2. efficiency
      1. inventory turnover
      2. asset turnover
   3. financial leverage
      1. debt-to-equity
      2. times interest earned
   4. profitability
      1. net profit margin
      2. return on assets
      3. return on equity
   5. comparison (benchmarking)
   6. limitations
      1. different industries
      2. different accounting practices
      3. seasonal variation
4. Responsibilities
   1. auditors
   2. directors
   3. regulations