---
title: 3 Major Roles in Your Corporation
description: Do you have questions about the specific role an individual will play in your corporation? Wondering what the difference between shareholders, directors and officers is? Each plays an important and distinct role within your corporation...
image: https://blog.ailcorp.com/hs-fs/file-15688487-jpg/images/5961260280_f38d3cbee9-resized-600.jpg
---

[![American Incorporators](https://blog.ailcorp.com/hs-fs/file-1479127971-jpg/American_Incorporator_images/AIL-logo.jpg "American Incorporators")](http://www.ailcorp.com/)

- [My Account Login](http://dashboard.ailcorp.com/)
- [Blog](https://blog.ailcorp.com/)
- [Contact Us](https://www.ailcorp.com/home/contact-us)

#### ![](https://blog.ailcorp.com/hs-fs/file-1475930103-png/American_Incorporator_images/phone-contact.png)Call: 800.441.5940  or  [![](https://blog.ailcorp.com/hs-fs/file-1475930108-png/American_Incorporator_images/bubble-contact.png)Live Chat](http://www.ailcorp.com/livezilla/chat.php?acid=d5e2c)

[![](https://blog.ailcorp.com/hs-fs/file-1480244651-png/American_Incorporator_images/incorporate-now.png)](https://www.ailcorp.com/packages)

## [3 Major Roles in Your Corporation](https://blog.ailcorp.com/company-leadership-and-what-it-means)

Posted by [American Ltd](https://blog.ailcorp.com/author/american-ltd) on Oct 6, 2015 8:30:00 AM

## Shareholders, Directors and Officers

Each of these positions play an important and distinct role within a corporation. The same individual can hold one or more of these positions. The roles of each are defined in a corporation's initial Articles of Incorporation and/or By-laws.

![shareholders role in corporation](https://blog.ailcorp.com/hs-fs/file-15688487-jpg/images/5961260280_f38d3cbee9-resized-600.jpg?width=257&name=5961260280_f38d3cbee9-resized-600.jpg "shareholders role in corporation")

**Shareholders** are owners of the company based on their holdings. They purchase stock in the company and may receive dividends if the company is profitable. They may also vote on major company decisions such as mergers or liquidation. Shareholders are also known as stockholders

 

 

 

** **

**![directors role in corporation](https://blog.ailcorp.com/hs-fs/file-15688347-jpg/images/5229193100_7d93903ccb-resized-600.jpg?width=257&name=5229193100_7d93903ccb-resized-600.jpg "directors role in corporation")**

**Directors**, typically operating as part of a Board, make up the governing body elected by shareholders. They are responsible for the management of a corporation's business and affairs. 

 

 

 

 

 

** **

![officers role in corporation](https://blog.ailcorp.com/hs-fs/file-15689042-jpg/images/90138204.jpg?width=257&name=90138204.jpg "officers role in corporation")

**Officers** often consist of roles such as President, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary. Officers are appointed by the Board of Directors. They are responsible for carrying out the Board's policies and they are responsible for making day-to-day decisions. The number of board members and officers (and their responsibilities) will vary and is generally defined in the articles of incorporation or by-laws.

 

 

 

 

Find the answers to all of your major incorporation questions in our new **eBook**

**[![New Call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/80136/55870834-efc1-4ffc-ad7b-d80dc66f0c0e.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/80136/55870834-efc1-4ffc-ad7b-d80dc66f0c0e) **

**[![subscribe to blog ](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/80136/3b6a5990-aede-4895-8777-b6996fdc89b2.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/80136/3b6a5990-aede-4895-8777-b6996fdc89b2) **

### Subscribe to Email Updates

### Recent Posts

### Posts by Topic

- [Tips & Tricks (29)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/tips-tricks)
- [small business tips (23)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/small-business-tips)
- [LLC Creation (15)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/llc-creation)
- [Corporation Creation (14)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/corporation-creation)
- [Registered Agent (11)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/registered-agent)
- [Business Maintenance (10)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/business-maintenance)
- [Corporations (10)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/corporations)
- [Limited Liability Companies (9)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/limited-liability-companies)
- [Reminders (7)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/reminders)
- [Compliance (6)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/compliance)
- [Entrepreneur (6)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/entrepreneur)
- [Start a Business From Home (6)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/start-a-business-from-home)
- [create a corporation (6)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/create-a-corporation)
- [easy incorporation (6)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/easy-incorporation)
- [how to start a business (6)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/how-to-start-a-business)
- [incorporation process (6)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/incorporation-process)
- [starting a business (6)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/starting-a-business)
- [Annual Reports (5)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/annual-reports)
- [Delaware (5)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/delaware)
- [Year End Business Reminders (5)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/year-end-business-reminders)
- [forming a business (5)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/forming-a-business)
- [registered agent Delaware (5)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/registered-agent-delaware)
- [Amendments (4)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/amendments)
- [C Corporation (4)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/c-corporation)
- [c corp (4)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/c-corp)
- [end of year small business tips (4)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/end-of-year-small-business-tips)
- [incorporate now (4)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/incorporate-now)
- [incorporate today (4)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/incorporate-today)
- [incorporation (4)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/incorporation)
- [s corp (4)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/s-corp)
- [small business (4)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/small-business)
- [Asset Protection (3)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/asset-protection)
- [EIN (3)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/ein)
- [Investment (3)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/investment)
- [State Specific Information (3)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/state-specific-information)
- [Taxation (3)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/taxation)
- [s corporation (3)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/s-corporation)
- [Alabama (2)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/alabama)
- [Business Licenses (2)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/business-licenses)
- [Certificate of Good Standing (2)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/certificate-of-good-standing)
- [David Freschman (2)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/david-freschman)
- [Good Standing (2)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/good-standing)
- [Growth (2)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/growth)
- [Minutes (2)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/minutes)
- [Naming a Business (2)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/naming-a-business)
- [Venture Capital (2)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/venture-capital)
- [business partnerships (2)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/business-partnerships)
- [fast incorporation (2)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/fast-incorporation)
- [incorporate your company (2)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/incorporate-your-company)
- [what is an s corporation (2)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/what-is-an-s-corporation)
- [Alaska (1)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/alaska)
- [Annual Meetings (1)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/annual-meetings)
- [Arizona (1)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/arizona)
- [Business Accelerator (1)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/business-accelerator)
- [Checklist (1)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/checklist)
- [DBA (1)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/dba)
- [Dissolutions (1)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/dissolutions)
- [FAQ's (1)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/faqs)
- [Foreign Qualification (1)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/foreign-qualification)
- [Franchise Tax (1)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/franchise-tax)
- [Grants (1)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/grants)
- [HubSpot Tips (1)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/hubspot-tips)
- [International Registered Agent Services (1)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/international-registered-agent-services)
- [Making Changes (1)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/making-changes)
- [Marketing (1)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/marketing)
- [Officers (1)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/officers)
- [Rand Fishkin (1)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/rand-fishkin)
- [Reasons to Incorporate in Delaware (1)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/reasons-to-incorporate-in-delaware)
- [SEO (1)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/seo)
- [Small Business Spotlight (1)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/small-business-spotlight)
- [State Basics (1)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/state-basics)
- [Stocks (1)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/stocks)
- [Strategic Planning (1)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/strategic-planning)
- [Succession Planning (1)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/succession-planning)
- [Trade Shows (1)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/trade-shows)
- [credit card (1)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/credit-card)
- [payment processing (1)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/payment-processing)
- [process (1)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/process)
- [registered agent USA (1)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/registered-agent-usa)
- [registered agents (1)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/registered-agents)
- [starting an S corp (1)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/starting-an-s-corp)
- [what is a c corporation (1)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/topic/what-is-a-c-corporation)

Questions?   Call Us at **800.421.2661** or [Chat Now](http://www.ailcorp.com/livezilla/chat.php?acid=d5e2c)

- [Contact Us](https://www.ailcorp.com/home/contact-us)
- [About Us](http://www.ailcorp.com/about-us)
- [Pay Fees Online](https://www.ailcorp.com/home/pay-online)
- [Privacy & Security](http://www.ailcorp.com/privacy)

Copyright© 2015, American Incorporators Ltd.

- [![](https://blog.ailcorp.com/hs-fs/file-1526857111-png/American_Incorporator_images/ai-logo.png)](https://blog.ailcorp.com/)
- [![](https://blog.ailcorp.com/hs-fs/file-1527118982-png/American_Incorporator_images/fb-logo.png)](https://www.facebook.com/AmericanIncorporatorsLtd)
- [![](https://blog.ailcorp.com/hs-fs/file-1526857116-png/American_Incorporator_images/twitter-logo.png)](https://twitter.com/AmericanIncLTD)
- [![](https://blog.ailcorp.com/hs-fs/file-1527815095-png/American_Incorporator_images/linkedin-logo.png)](https://www.linkedin.com/company/american-incorporators-ltd-?tr=company_name)
- [![](https://blog.ailcorp.com/hs-fs/file-1522663659-png/American_Incorporator_images/icon-googleplus.png)](https://plus.google.com/111248446514188146784/about)
- [![](https://blog.ailcorp.com/hs-fs/file-1522663664-png/American_Incorporator_images/authorize.logo.png)](https://verify.authorize.net/anetseal/?pid=bd3f2245-03ef-4505-8c0e-84a35f5d9cf7&rurl=http%3A//www.ailcorp.com/)
- [![](https://blog.ailcorp.com/hs-fs/file-1527118987-png/American_Incorporator_images/bbb-logo.png)](http://www.bbb.org/delaware/business-reviews/incorporating-companies/american-incorporators-ltd-in-wilmington-de-7923010/)