Learning Outcome D: Select and evaluate different sources of business finance Flashcards
Source of finance
Where money comes from
What determines which source of finance is most suitable?
What the money is for
True/False: Sources of finance are only long-term
False, they can be short-term or long-term
What is meant by a short-term loan?
A loan that needs to be paid back in one year
What is meant by a long-term loan?
A loan that needs to be paid back in a period of time greater than one year
Internal sources of finance
Money available to fund expenditure from within the business
Give 3 examples of internal sources of finance
Retained profit, net current assets and sale of assets
Retained profit
Profit (sales revenue minus total costs) kept in the business to fund future expenditure
Net current assets
Current assets minus current liabilities shows the money available in the business to fund day-to-day expenditure
Sale of assets
Selling an item of worth owned by a business in order to achieve an immediate cash injection
Give 2 advantages of retained profits as an internal source of finance
Any 2 from no interest charges, available immediately, only available up to the amount already accumulated by the business and therefore avoids debt and no loss of ownership (control
Give 2 disadvantages of retained profits as an internal source of finance
Any 2 from amount available may be limited, reduces payments to shareholders which may cause dissatisfaction and once used it is not available for alternative purposes
Give an advantage of net current assets as an internal source of finance
Encourages the business to manage cash flow effectively
Give a disadvantage of net current assets as an internal source of finance
Any from can put pressure on customers as shorter credit terms are offered and this negatively affects relationships with suppliers if longer credit terms are negotiated and lower stock holdings can affect the firm’s ability to meet customer needs
Give 2 advantages of sale of assets as an internal source of finance
Any 2 from no interest charges, reduces capital tied up in assets, releasing it for other purposes and can mean disposing of an asset no longer of use to the business
Give a disadvantage of sale of assets as an internal source of finance
Any from it is likely that the amount received is not a true reflection of the value of the asset and can increase costs in the long run if an asset needs to be leased back
External sources of finance
Those available from outside the business
Outline owner’s capital as an external source of finance
This is money invested in the business from the owner’s personal savings
Outline loans as an external source of finance
Loans are money borrowed from a financial institution normally for a set period of time and for a specific purpose. Interest will be payable on the loan
Outline crowd-funding as an external source of finance
This involves attracting investment from a large number of speculative investors many of whom may invest relatively small amounts. If cumulatively this matches the required amount then the investments are collected together. Normally makes use of the internet to attract investors
Outline mortgages as an external source of finance
These are long-term loans, normally around 25 years, that are secured against a specific asset, for example a building. Interest will be payable on the mortgage
Outline venture capital as an external source of finance
This is investment from an experienced entrepreneur in return for a stake (equity) in the business
Outline debt factoring as an external source of finance
This involves the selling on of a business’s debts to a third party in order to receive the cash quickly. The factor company pays the business a percentage of the money owed and takes on the responsibility to chase the debts which need to be repaid
Outline hire purchase as an external source of finance
This involves paying to use an asset in instalments to spread the cost over its useful life and hence provide a source of finance. The asset will remain the property of the seller until the final instalment has been paid
Outline leasing as an external source of finance
This involves paying to use an asset in instalments to spread the cost over its useful life and hence providing a source of finance. Ownership of the asset stays with the supplier throughout the length of the lease agreement.
Outline trade credit as an external source of finance
This is a period of time offered by suppliers to allow the customer to purchase a good or service now and pay at a later date, for example 30 days after purchase
Outline grants as an external source of finance
This is a lump sum provided to a business by the government or another organisation to be used for a specific purpose. For example, it could be used to provide employment in a deprived area or invest in the research and development of an environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels
Outline donations as an external source of finance
These are sums of money given voluntarily to charity or social enterprise