The role of accounting in financial markets

This paper discusses the relation between accounting and financial markets by showingthat the relevance of this relation is clearly stated by the different interests of managers,investors, shareholders, creditors, and the government, among other stakeholders due to thefact that it gives them updated and reliable information about the financial condition ofthe company. The study is supported by three pillars: relation between finance and theaccounting theory, evolution of the role played by professionals in this area; and theimportance of the impact of the accounting information for the economic agents. Theresults suggest that stakeholders demand different financial information in order to assesscompany performance. This work contributes by highlighting that accounting must considerthe different needs of stakeholders and not solely financial metrics of profitability.