Chapter 6: Forms Of Business Ownership Flashcards
3 major forms of business ownership
1) sole proprietorship
2) partnerships
3) corporations
Sole proprietorship
A business owned and usually managed by one person
Partnership
A legal form of a business with two or more parties
Corporation
A legal entity with authority to act and have liability seperate from its owners
Like dons
Advantages of sole proprietorship
1) ease of starting and ending the business
2) being your own boss
3) pride of ownership
4) retention of company profit
5) NO SPECIAL TAX
6) less regulation
Disadvantages of sole proprietorship
1) UNLIMITED LIABILITY - risk of personal loss
2) limited financial resources
3) management difficulties
4) overwhelming time commitment
5) few fringe benefits
6) limited growth
7) limited lifespan
8) possibly pay higher taxes
Unlimited liability
The responsibility of business owners for all the debts of the business
General partnership
A partnership in which all owners share in operating the business and in assuming liability for the businesses debt
Limited partnership
A partnership with one or more general partners and one or more limited partners
General partner
An owner who has unlimited liability and is active in managing the firm
Limited partner
An owner who invests money in the business but does not have any management responsibility or liability for losses beyond the investment
Limited liability
The responsibility of a businesses owners for losses only up to the amount they invest
Limited liability partnership (LLP)
A partnership that limits partners risk of losing their personal assets to only their own acts and omissions and to the act and ommisions of people under their supervision
Partnership advantages
1) More financial resources
2) shares mangement and pooled knowledge and skills
3) LONGER SURVIVAL
4) shared risk
5) NO SPECIAL TAXES
6) less regulation
Disadvantages of partnerships
1) Unlimited liability
2) DIVISION OF PROFITS
3) disagreement among partners
4) difficulty of termination
5) possibly pay higher taxes
6) HARD TO SELL