Forms of Business Ownership
Forms of Business Ownership
Forms of Business Ownership
OWNERSHIP
From Skinner, James & Brown
Factors determining the right type of business..
Many factors are involved – including tax position, who else is involved and the
kind of business you are in – and there is rarely a clear-cut answer.
A person thinking about owning a business should examine the following factors:
Capital requirements
Risk
Control
Time Requirements
Tax Liability
Sole Proprietorship
From Skinner, James & Brown
Sole Proprietorship
What is Partnership?
A business may have a small beginning as a sole proprietorship, later expand
into partnership & finally become corporation.
Partnership Act defines partnership as, “An association of two or more
persons to carry on as co-owners of a business for profit.”
Other than the differences in the number of owners, a partnership is similar in
many respects to a sole proprietorship.
A partnership can be based on a written contract or a voluntary & legal oral
agreement.
Law regards individuals as partners when they act in such a way as to make
people believe they operate a business together.
Partnership contd……..
Types of Partnership?
General Partnership
Partnership in which at least one partner has unlimited liability; a general partner has
authority to act & binding decisions as an owner.
Limited Partnership
A partnership with at least one general partner & one or limited partners who are liable
for loss only up to the amount of their investment.
Advantage of Partnership?
More Capital
Combined Managerial Skills
Ease of Starting
Clear Legal Status
Tax Advantage
Sole Proprietorship cont….
Disadvantage of Partnership?
Unlimited Liability
Potential Disagreement
Investment Withdrawal Difficulty - money typically considered as ‘frozen money’.
Limited Capital Availability
Instability – if a partner dies, wants to dissolves
Corporations
From Skinner, James & Brown
Corporations
What is Corporations?
A business that is a legal entity separate from its owners.
It provides a form of business ownership in which owners spread over a wide
geographical area, can hire professional managers to operate the business.
In the eye of law corporation is an artificial being, invisible & intangible.
It has the legal right of an individual.
It can own property, purchase goods & services & sue other person or corporations.
Corporations
Forming Corporations?
The legal status of a co stems from a charter.
Charter is a state-issued document authorizing its formation.
Most countries require at least 3 persons join together to form a corporations.
The applicants fill out an application form for a charter.
The form is then reviewed by the appropriate govt. officials.
After the charter has been granted the incorporators & all subscribers or the owners of
the stock of the business meet & elect a BOD.
The BOD then meets to select the professional managers & to make any decisions
needed to start the business.
Corporations
Advantage of a Corporations?
Limited Liability
Skilled Management Team
Transfer of Ownership
Greater Capital Base
Stability
Legal Entity Status
Corporations
Disadvantage of a Corporations?
Difficulty & Expense of Starting
Lack of Control
Multiple Taxation
Govt. Involvement
Lack of Secrecy
Lack of Personal Interest
Credit Limitations
Mergers
From Skinner, James & Brown
Mergers
What is Mergers?
Combination of two or more business enterprises into a single entity.
Types of Mergers?
Horizontal
Vertical
Conglomerate