The current financial reporting environment in the United States consists of various groups that are affected by and have a stake in the financial reporting requirements of the FASB and SEC. These groups include investors, creditors, security analysts, regulators, management, and auditors. Investors in equity securities are the central focus of the financial reporting environment. Investment involves for going current uses of resources for ownership interests in companies. These ownership interests are claims to uncertain future cash flows. Consequently, investment involves giving up current resources for future, uncertain resources, and investors require information that will help them assess future cash flows from securities.