A company is a legal entity that represents an association of legal persons with a specific, shared objective, such as the earning of profit or the benefit of society. Depending on jurisdiction, companies can take on various forms, such as voluntary associations, nonprofit organizations, business entities, financial entities, banks, and educational institutions. Across jurisdictions, companies have generally evolved to have certain common legal features, including separate legal personality, limited liability, transferable shares, investor ownership, and a managerial hierarchy.
Depending on jurisdiction, the term "company" may or may not be synonymous with corporation, partnership, firm and society. Companies are governed by company law, which is also known as corporate law in some jurisdictions. Incorporated companies are created by and registered with the state, whereas unincorporated companies are not.