Shareholders also use financial accounting information to decide how to vote on corporate matters like who should be elected to the board of directors, whether a particular management compensation plan should be approved, and if the company should merge with or acquire another company. Acting on behalf of shareholders, the Board of Directors hires and fires the company’s top executives. Financial statement information helps shareholders and the board assess the performance of company executives. Dismissals of top executives often occur following a period of deteriorating financial performance.