Unit 4 Flashcards
What are the characteristics to a Sole Proprietorship?
Single (sole) owner, but unlimited employees. No separate legal entity, unlimited personal liability (including debts of sole proprietorship) Files business taxes on personal taxes
What are the characteristics of a General Partnership?
Two or more owners who agree to carry a business for profit. Unlimited personal liability IF they cannot pay their debt. Considered a separate legal entity, each person reports business income on the owner’s personal tax forms, but does not pay income tax.
What are the obligations of Partners?
Duty of Care - act in good faith, and refrain from negligent misconduct and violations of law. Duty of Loyalty - Act in the partnership’s best interest, refrain from competing against each other.
What are the roles of Shareholders?
To Elect Directors and Amend the Articles of Incorporation
What are the roles of Directors?
To declare dividends, hire officers, approve budgets/strategy, and audit committee
What are the roles/responsibilities of Officers?
To run day to day operations
What are the characteristics of a C Corporation?
Must file an article of incorporation with the Secretary of State to start, owners are called shareholders, separate legal entity, double taxation, limited liability and
Double Tax on a Corporation
Pays tax on profits, declares dividend and makes dividend payment to shareholders
Double Tax on Shareholders
Pay income tax on dividend
What is a Derivative Action Lawsuit?
If the Director and Officer harms the corporation, then the shareholders may file a lawsuit against the Corporation against the Director and Officer
Business Judgement Rule
In a derivative action lawsuit, a director or officer may assert the business judgment rule defense. They are not liable if they exercised a reasonable judgement
Loss of Limited Liability - Corporate Veil
Exposes shareholders to personal liability for Corporation debts when there is inadequate capitalization or co-mingling of funds
What are the different types of Corporations?
Domestic, Foreign, Public, Publicly Held, Closed, C Corp, S Corp, Benefit Corp
Publicly Held (Traded) Corporations
Traded on a stock exchange
Close Corporations
Held by private owners
Benefit Corporations
Committed to making a profit and creating public benefit
What are the characteristics of an LLC?
The file under the Articles of ORGANIZATION with the Secretary of State. Owners are called members. Separate Legal Entity, and passes through a member’s personal tax filings. Limited Liability. `
What is Sarbanes Oxley?
It requires the senior officers actively monitor internal accounting controls. CEO and CFO must certify the accuracy of corporate financial statements. The Board of Directors have to have an audit committee made up of outside directors.
What are the 5 protected clauses by the 1964 Civil Rights Act?
Race, Color, Religion, Gender and National Origin.
What is a Franchise?
The owner of intellectual property licenses others to use it in the selling of goods or services
What is an Agency?
The two parties (the principal and agent) have agreed the agent will act on behalf of (or instead of) the principal to negotiate and transact business with other parties
What is a “fiduciary” relationship?
The relationship involves trust and confidence
What is an Agent?
Someone who represents the Principal and does business on their behalf.
What is a Power of Attorney?
A written document that authorizes another person (the agent) to act on a person’s (the principal’s) behalf