1. Objectives

The economic and productive output of any business entity or enterprise results from its use of resources
(such as labor, materials, services, facilities, patents and equipment) in seeking to achieve its strategic
purpose. These resources need to be acquired, financed and paid for. Many parties (such the
management team of the firm itself, its capital providers or shareholders, current and potential, its
customers and suppliers, the tax authorities, its workers’ unions, etc.) need to be informed about the