what the articles include
articles of association identify how a company issues shares pays dividends audits financial records and provides voting rights this set of rules can be considered a user s manual for the company the content varies from jurisdiction to jurisdiction but this document holds a similar format globally and commonly outlines 1a company may or may not issue shares but if they are found in the articles of association they can be issued if needed small business examplea person or group of people starting a business will typically refer to a lawyer accountant or both for advice when setting up a company the company will choose a name and define its purpose the company is then registered at the state or federal level a company may issue shares to divide the company but it doesn t need to the articles lay out how this can be done the lawyer or accountant will typically work with the company directors to define how they structure the company the articles include the company directors along with their personal information and a business address changes can be made to the articles of association with director s approval 