Final answer:
The correct answer is 3. The correct external user of accounting information from the given options is shareholders. These individuals or entities use the financial information to make investment decisions and are interested in the financial performance of a company without being directly involved in its everyday operations.
Step-by-step explanation:
Among the options provided, the correct external user of accounting information is shareholders. External users are individuals or entities that are not involved in the day-to-day operations of a business but have an interest in its financial performance.
External users like bondholders and shareholders rely on accounting information to make decisions about investing in the firm. When a company is well-established and expected to be profitable, these investors are more willing to provide financial capital, even if they do not know the managers personally. The financial statements and other reports thus become crucial for investors as they provide transparency and insight into the company's financial health. Customers, employees, and competitors may also use financial information, but they are not the primary financial capital providers as shareholders are.
Accounting information is vital for various stakeholders involved with a company, yet shareholders are the ones who often base their decisions to provide financial capital on this data, seeking a return on their investment.