Y11 HL BUSINESS FINANACE Flashcards
Why do businesses need finance?
To start-up a business
Money to set-up a business. Used to buy equipment, market research, legal fees, refurbish premises.
Short-term needs
Money to fund the day to day running of the business when revenue isn’t sufficient to cover all the expenses. This may be because trade is seasonal, the business is waiting payment from a customer or there has been an emergency. Used to buy raw materials, stock, pay bills. The money borrowed is repaid within a year.
Long-term needs
The money borrowed takes longer than a year to repay. The owners can provide long-term finance and this is called capital. Long-term loans can also be obtained from banks. Long-term finance may be used to buy equipment and premises.
Expansion
Money is required to grow which can include increasing output, developing new products, entering overseas markets
Internal sources of finance
Comes from inside the business
- retained profit
- personal savings
- sale of assets
External sources of finance
Comes from outside the business
- bank loan
- overdraft
- trade payables
- share capital
- stock market flotation for PLCS
- venture capital
- crowdfunding
Internal sources of finance
Personal Savings
This is the money put into a business by its owner or owners, depending. The money could come from the owner’s savings or redundancy payments. It is particularly applicable for sole traders and partnerships because they cannot sell shares to raise finance. An advantage of personal savings is that there are no interest charges. However, on the other hand, the entrepreneurs may not have enough money to start the business and may also need to use other sources of finance
Internal sources of finance
Retained Profits
A successful business will make a profit. Businesses can choose to save some of this profit and this is known as retained profit. This money can then be used for various purposes such as paying off debts or expanding the business (developing new products, opening new shops).
Internal sources of finance
Retained profits advantages
Advantages
- The business does not incur any costs, such as paying interest on a bank loan.
- It is quick to obtain.
- Retained profit can earn interest in the bank
Internal sources of finance
Retained profits disadvantages
Disadvantages
- Once the money is used, the business may not have any spare cash to cover unforeseen circumstances.
- It is only available to successful businesses.
- Shareholders may be unhappy if the money is not given to them as a dividend.
Internal sources of finance
Sale of Assets
Existing businesses may have equipment, land or property that they no longer require which they can sell to raise finance. Sometimes the asset being sold may be part of the business.
Internal sources of finance
Sale of Assets advantages
Advantages
- Does not incur interest charges
- Assets such as equipment can be sold then leased back. The business has then raised cash but still has use of the asset.
Internal sources of finance
Sale of Assets disadvantages
Disadvantages
- The business may not have assets of any value to sell
- If the business sells an asset such as a machine, this may lower a businesses’ capacity and how much it can produce. They may require it again at a later date, for example because customer demand increases. They may then have to re-purchase the asset.
External Sources of Finance
Short-term: Overdraft.
An overdraft is where a bank allows a business (or an individual) to spend more money than there is in the account, up to an agreed limit. With an overdraft a business only borrows what it needs, when it is needed meaning they are very flexible. This reduces the amount of interest to be paid. However, a bank does not have to give a business an overdraft and the rate of interest charged on an overdraft can be quite high. Furthermore, a bank can demand that an overdraft is repaid within 24 hours. A business can fail if it is not able to do this
External sources of Finance
Short-term: Trade Payables (also called Trade Credit)
This is where a business buys materials and pays for them at a later date. This is an inexpensive way for businesses to raise finance and it keeps cash in the business for longer so it can be used for other purposes e.g. advertising. However, suppliers may offer discounts for prompt payment so a business using trade payables may up paying more for the resources it is buying. If a business takes a long time to pay, supplier relationships may be damaged in the long-term. This could be harmful if the business operates Just-in-Time and good relations are needed to ensure suppliers delivery on-time.
External sources of Finance
Short-term: Credit Cards
This is where a business buys goods and pays for them at a later date. If the business pays for the goods after the credit period then interest is charged. Interest charges can be high making credit cards an expensive source of finance. Credit cards can be a quick, convenient and flexible way to pay for things and interest can be avoided if the credit card bill is paid within the credit period.
External sources of Finance
Long-term: Bank Loan (Loan Capital)
Bank loans are where a bank agrees to lend a business amount of money for a given period of time and the business makes regular repayments. Regular repayments can help with budgeting. Interest is charged by the bank on the loan and this must be paid on-time or the bank will take action against the business and this could result in the business being taken to court and closed down. Most bank loans are secured loans. This means they are secured against an asset such as property. If the business fails to repay the loan then the bank will take this asset instead of the loan repayment. Unsecured loans are where the bank has no claim on an asset if the loan cannot be repaid. Unsecured loans are more risky for the bank so therefore have higher interest charges compared to secured loans. New businesses may find it hard to get a loan because banks perceive them as risky, as their sales may not be sufficient to pay back the loan.
External sources of Finance
Long-term: Hire Purchase (a type of loan)
With hire purchase the business pays for the assets in instalments and once all payments have been made the business owns the asset. It can be an expensive way to obtain an asset and goods can be repossessed if a business falls behind with repayments.
External sources of Finance
Long-term: Share Capital
This is the money invested by shareholders. Private and Public limited companies can sell shares to raise finance.
External sources of Finance
Long-term: Share Capital advantages
Advantages
- Selling shares can be cheap and easy
- No interest is payable to shareholders, therefore reducing costs
- May be able to raise larger sums of money because more people are contributing
- Public limited companies can sell shares on the stock exchange to raise large sums of money.
External sources of Finance
Long-term: Share capital disadvantages
Disadvantages
- As shareholders, they own part of the company and are entitled to a share of any profits the business makes.
- Shareholders are entitled to a say in how the business is run so if the entrepreneur sells too many shares they may lose control of the business.
- The process of selling shares can be costly
External sources of Finance
Long-term: Venture Capital
Venture Capitalists can be individuals or businesses and they specialise in giving loans to small and medium sized businesses. Individual venture capitalists are also known as business angels. Venture Capitalists often have a stake in the business to enable them to have some control over decision making and a share of any profits. Venture Capitalists may invest in new or recently started businesses which are more risky and as a result businesses may seek finance from a venture capitalist if they have not been able to obtain finance elsewhere, for example from banks.
External sources of Finance
Long-term: Crowdfunding
This is where large numbers of people invest in a business using the internet. Businesses seeking crowdfunding can put details online on crowdfunding websites such as why they need the money, how much is needed and what benefits investors may enjoy if the venture successful. Crowdfunding can be used for community projects as well as business ventures.
How does a business decide which source of finance to use?
Business’ Financial Situation
If a business has been profitable in the past it is likely to have retained profits within the business, so this source of finance should be available to successful businesses. Past success should help a business convince a bank to lend it money as it is more likely to be able to repay a loan.
How does a business decide which source of finance to use?
Cost of finance
Some sources of finance can be more expensive than others and costs can impact profits. For example interest is payable on bank loans but not on share capital. Cost may come in other forms, for example venture capitalists may want a stake in the business and therefore some control over decision-making.
How does a business decide which source of finance to use?
Level of risk
Loans can be more risky because interest is payable. If the loan is secured on an asset then a bank may repossess this asset if loan repayments are not made.
How does a business decide which source of finance to use?
Type and size of business
Only companies can sell shares to raise finance. As public limited companies can sell shares to the public on the stock exchange they can sell more shares and therefore raise more money than private limited companies who can only sell shares to family and friends. Also, private limited companies have to gain the consent of all existing shareholders before selling more shares. Sole traders cannot sell shares and so are more restricted in the options of available, for example bank loans and own capital.
How does a business decide which source of finance to use?
What the money is to be spent on
Long-term sources of finance are more suitable when large sums of money are needed, for example to finance the purchase of new machinery. Short-term finance is used for smaller amounts of money, for example to pay for stock.
Businesses need cash to pay suppliers, overheads and employees
There are serious consequences if these groups aren’t paid. Suppliers may refuse to continue to supply a business, telephone or electricity supplies may be cut off and employees may refuse to work.
Businesses need cash to prevent business failure
When a business runs out of cash and cannot pay its debts it is said to be insolvent and can result in the business ceasing to trade.
At the end of a trading period a firm’s profit will not be the same at the value of the cash in the bank. Two reasons why this might be are:
- A business may sell some products on trade credit. As a result customers may have bought the goods but not yet paid for them. These sales will increase profit but not the cash balance.
- If the owners invest more in the business then the cash balance will rise but putting more money in the business has nothing to do with profit.
Cash flow?
The flow of money in and out of a business over a period of time
Cash inflow?
Money coming into a business, e.g, cash from sales and owner, bank loan
Cash outflow?
Money coming out of a business, e.g, wages, advertising, energy bills
How businesses monitor their cash flow/what is a cash flow forecast?
A cash flow forecast is a prediction of all expected receipts and expenses of a business over a future time period, which shows the expected cash balance at the end of each month
Net cash flow?
Total cash in - total cash out
Closing balance?
Net cash flow + opening balance
Why do businesses produce cash flow forecasts?
- Helps a business find out if it will be short of cash
- Enables a business to take action to prevent the business running out of cash
- Cash flow forecasts are useful when applying for bank loans or overdrafts. If a business can show a sustained positive closing balance then the bank will be more confident that about granting a loan or overdraft because it is more likely it will be repaid.
- A business can analyse its cash outflows and see how money has been spent. It may help a business identify ways of saving money and reducing costs.
What are the consuquences of a business running out of cash?
- If the business does not have any cash, to pay bills, it will no longer be able to trade. The business is termed ‘insolvent’.
- A ‘receiver’ is appointed to oversee the business.
- The receiver will try to sell and find a buyer for the business
- If no one will buy the business, the business will close down; all the assets will be sold.
- The money from the sales of the assets will be given to the people the business owes money to.
Insolvency?
Inability to meet debts. When a business is not able to meet its financial commitments when they are due. The business has to stop trading by law.
Receiver?
A person who takes responsibility for an insolvent business and makes arrangements for the business’s debts to be repaid, for example by selling the business and its assets. The business is said to be ‘in receivership’.
Solutions to cash-flow problems
Delay payments to suppliers
Delay payments to suppliers to allow time for more money to be received from sales. Suppliers may not be happy and refuse to supply in the future
Solutions to cash-flow problems
Speed up cash inflows
Persuade customers to pay promptly, but customers may go to competitors who allow them more time to pay.