Financial accounting is a branch of accounting that focuses on the preparation, presentation, and analysis of financial statements for external users, such as investors, creditors, and government agencies. It involves recording and reporting a company's financial transactions, including revenues, expenses, assets, liabilities, and equity, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) or international financial reporting standards (IFRS). The primary goal of financial accounting is to provide accurate and reliable information to stakeholders for decision-making and investment purposes. Key topics in financial accounting include financial statement analysis, financial reporting, auditing, and compliance with regulatory requirements.