Public companies report quarterly and annually on their success or failure in making a net income. The following item about Coca-Cola Co. appeared in The Wall Street Journal: "Coke shares have fallen 20% since [the new chief executive officer took] the helm, with many investors skeptical that he can restore the company to consistent growth. Revenue grew 6% last year to $23.1 billion, but the company's profit was essentially flat at $4.87 billion in 2005." 16 Your instructor will divide the class into groups representing the following users. Discuss why the user your group is representing needs accounting information?
1. The management of Coca-Cola.
2. The stockholders of Coca-Cola.
3. The creditors of Coca-Cola.
4. Potential stockholders of Coca-Cola.
5. The Internal Revenue Service.
6. The Securities and Exchange Commission.
7. The Teamsters' union.
8. A consumers' group called Public Cause.
9. An economic adviser to the president of the United States.