'The tools for analysis help in studying accounting data so as to determine the continuity of the operating policies, the investment value of the business, credit ratings and testing the efficiency of operations.'

For whom such a type of analysis of a company is necessary?

Finance manager

The correct answer is option 3- Finance manager.

Financial analysis focusses on the facts and relationships related to managerial performance, corporate efficiency, financial strengths and weaknesses and creditworthiness of the company. A finance manager must be well-equipped with the different tools of analysis to make rational decisions for the firm. The tools for analysis help in studying accounting data so as to determine the continuity of the operating policies, investment value of the business, credit ratings and testing the efficiency of operations. The techniques are equally important in the area of financial control, enabling the finance manager to make constant reviews of the actual financial operations of the firm to analyse the causes of major deviations, which may help in corrective action wherever indicated.

• Management:  Management of the firm would be interested in every aspect of the financial analysis. It is their overall responsibility to see that the resources of the firm are used most efficiently and that the firm’s financial condition is sound. Financial analysis helps the management in measuring the success of the company’s operations, appraising the individual’s performance and evaluating the system of internal control.

• Investors: Investors, who have invested their money in the firm’s shares, are interested about the firm’s earnings. As such, they concentrate on the analysis of the firm’s present and future profitability. They are also interested in the firm’s capital structure to ascertain its influences on firm’s earning and risk. They also evaluate the efficiency of the management and determine whether a change is needed or not. However, in some large companies, the shareholders’ interest is limited to decide whether to buy, sell or hold the shares.

• Employees: Employees are interested in the profit trend of the company. According to that they can expect salary hike or bonus.