CHAPTER 6: MANAGING THE FINANCE FUNCTION Flashcards
is an important management responsibility that deals with the “procurement and administration of funds with the view of achieving the objectives of a business”.
The Finance Function
a sum of money saved or made available for a particular purpose
Fund
The Finance Function (Process Flow)
- Determination of Fund
Requirements - Acquisition of Funds
- Effective and Efficient
Use of Funds
Determination of Fund
Requirements
- Financing Daily Operations
- Financing the Firm’s Credit Services
- Financing the Purchase of Inventory
- Financing the Purchase of Major Asset
The day-to-day operation of the engineering firm will require funds to take care of expenses as they come.
Financing Daily Operations
It is oftentimes unavoidable for firms to extend credit to customers;
If the engineering firm manufactures products, sales terms vary from cash to 90-day credit extensions to customers.
Financing the Firm’s Credit Services
Raw materials, supplies, and parts are needed to be kept in storage so they will be available when needed.
Financing the Purchase of Inventory
Companies, at times, need to purchase major assets. When top management decides on expansion, there will be a need to make investments in capital assets like land, plant and equipment.
Financing the Purchase of Major Asset
Acquisition of Funds: Sources
- Cash Sales
- Collection of Accounts Receivables
- Loans and Credits
- Sale of Assets
- Ownership Contribution
- Advances from Customers
Finance Classification
a) Long Term Finance
b) Medium Term Finance
c) Short Term Finance
This includes finance of investment of 3 years or more;
sources include owner capital, share capital, long-term loans, internal funds and so on.
Long Term Finance
This is financing done between 1 to 3 years, this can be sourced from bank loans and financial institutions.
Medium Term Finance
This is finance needed below one year;
funds may be acquired from bank overdrafts, commercial paper, advances from customers, trade credit etc.
Short Term Finance
Factors in Determining the Best Sources of Financing
- Flexibility
- Risk
- Income
- Control
- Timing
- Other Factors
Some fund sources impose certain restriction on the activities of the borrowers. (e.g. prohibition on the issuance of additional debt instruments by the borrower)
Flexibility