Business Operations Flashcards
What are the 5 types of business organizations?
- Sole proprietorship
- General or limited partnership
- Corporation
- Limited liability corporation or limited liability partnership
- Joint venture
Sole propietorship
-owned by individual; company can operate under owner’s name or company name
Advantages of a sole proprietorship
- easy to set up
- total mgmt control by owner
- tax benefits expenses/losses can be deducted from company’s gross income
Disadvantages of a sole proprietorship
- owner totally liable for company’s debts/ losses - owner’s personal property and assets can be seized to pay for judgements if company gets sued
- raising capital and credit depends on the owner’s own personal credit rating and assets
- difficult to sell
General partnership
Two or more people share in management, profits, and risks. Income shared among partners, reported on personal taxes. Each partner is personally liable for business debts liabilities
Limited partnership
Sim. To general partnership. Has at least 1 general and 1 limited partner. Limited partners are investors who receive portion of profits but have no say in management of company. Limited partners are only liable to the extent of their investment
Advantages of general or limited partnerships
- easy to form
2. Each partner brings particular talent
Disadvantages to a general or limited partnership
- All partners liable
- income taxed at individual rates
Corporation
Association of individuals that exists as a legal entity apart from its members. To form, formal articles of incorporation must be drawn up by attorney and filed with state office. Financially and legally independent from shareholders
Two types of corporations
C corporation and S corporation
Hierarchy of a corporation
Shareholders
Directors
Officers
Shareholders
Owners of corp. In proportion to the # of shares they own -elect directors
Directors
Act in best interest of shareholders. Responsible for broad policy decisions
Officers
Elected by directors. Carry out day-to-day management
Advantages of corporation
- Shareholders only liable for amount of their investment
- Personal assets not at risk
- Easy to raise capital thru sales of stock
- Taxed at lower rates than individ.
Disadvantages of a corporation
- Corporation and shareholders taxed separately (effectively twice)
- Initial cost to setup and to maintain
S corporation
Usually less than 100 people. Allocate income and losses directly to shareholders in proportion to holdings.taxed @ individual rates
Advantages to S corporation
- Same as C corporation
- Avoids tax on corporate income
Disadvantage to S corporation
- size restrictions
- must be domestic
Who’s liable in a professional corporation?
- The person responsible
Joint venture
Temp, association of two or more people/firms to complete specific project /goal. Usually formed when project is too large for one firm. Dissolved when project is complete.
Teaming agreement
Developed before joint venture. Outlines roles, resp., and contractual relationships that will be established if the proj. Is awarded
In a joint venture, what do taxes depend on?
State law