Term 1: JSL Flashcards
(Corporate social objectives)
What is a sole trader?
A business owned by one person but can have multiple employees
What are the advantages of being a sole trader?
+ Potential for greater financial rewards
+ Make all the decisions
+ Choose working hours
+ Easy to set up
What are the disadvantages of being a sole trader?
- Unlimited liability
- Lack of start up capital
What is a partnership?
2 or more people own and run a business together
What are the advantages of a partnership?
+ More initial capital
+ Shared responsibility
+ More ideas
+ Reduced stress
What are the disadvantages of a partnership?
- Unlimited liability
- Shared profits
- People do more work than others: disagreements
Define unlimited liability
Shareholders are at risk of unlimited losses and may have to sell personal assets to cover any debts
Define limited liability
The maximum loss for the shareholder is the value of their investment
What is the purpose of a deed of partnership?
To lay down the rules for running the partnership
What is a sleeping partner?
Someone who invests money in the business but doesn’t take part in the day to day running
Define a limited company
A business owned by its shareholders and has a separate legal identity from its owner
Advantages of limited companies
+ Limited liability
+ Debt spread among shareholders
+ Easy to raise finance
Disadvantages of limited companies
- Financial information is NOT private
- Shares cannot be offered for general sale
What does PLC stand for?
Public Limited Company
What is a PLC?
A type of of limited company where shares can be offered to the general public
Advantages of PLCs
+ Raise large sums of shares on the stock exchange
Disadvantages of PLCs
- Financial information NOT private
- Easily taken over (shareholders have little say unless they have a large amount)
What is a limited liability partnership?
A legal partnership where all the partners have limited liability
What is the public sector?
Services provided by the government or local government, e.g NHS
What are the advantages of public services?
+ Costs are already covered by the taxpayer.
+ Free services
What are the disadvantages of public services?
- All government money comes from taxes
- No competition so no incentive to be efficient
What is the private sector?
Businesses owned by private individuals