Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
Sole Proprietorship
• Filing not required - simplest form of business ownership
• Sole proprietor not considered a separate entity from the business, so will have to personally file for
bankruptcy
• Personally liable for all obligations of the business
• Life of entity limited to the life of the sole proprietor
• Sole proprietor can transfer interests at will
Joint Ventures
An association of persons or entities for a single transaction or project. JV's are treated as a partnership
in most legal respects.
General Partnership
General Partnership - an association of two or more persons who agree to carry on as co-owners of an ongoing
business for profit
• Filing not required
• At least two owners of the partnerships
• Personally liable (Jointly and Severally) for all obligations of the business
• A partnership may be dissolved after a partner dies or otherwise dissociates from the partnership unless
the partners have agreed otherwise, or vote to continue the partnership
• Taxes flow through the Partnership to the partners (taxed at their rates)
• A partner cannot transfer his P/S interest without unanimous consent of the other partners
• A general P/S may file for bankruptcy as a separate entity
In a general P/S
• All partners are general partners
• All partners share equally in mgmt, profits and losses unless agreed otherwise (even when capital
contributions are not equal)
• Within the ordinary course of business a majority vote is needed
• Matters outside the ordinary course of business require unanimous consent
- Admitting new partners
- Confessing a judgement or submitting a claim for arbitration
- Making a fundamental change in the business (sale of goodwill)
- Changing the P/S agreement
- Assignment of P/S property to others
• All partners have unlimited personal liability for obligations of the P/S
• All partners (individually) have the actual or apparent authority to bind the P/S with respect to all normal
partnership business transaction (except when a third party knows the partner lacks actual authority)
- Actual authority - all authority that a principal expressively gives to an agent plus any authority
that is reasonable implied from the express grant (Partner is store manager, reasonable to imply
the partner has the authority to hire employees, buy merchandise, etc)
- Apparent authority extends only to the ordinary course of business (sign a lease, hire/fire
employees, purchasing equipment, granting warranties)
- The P/S may ratify an unauthorized act (if the P/S likes an unauthorized act by partner)
• All partners must approve major business decisions
• A partner who acts outside the scope of his actual authority will be liable to the P/S for any damages
caused by the unauthorized act (breach of contract)
Intent to form a P/S (either Express, orally or in writing, or Implied, in conduct) is the key to general P/S
formation. No express agreement is necessary. An agreement can be implied from conduct showing intent to
enter into a business for profit together. However, if the P/S wants to exist for more than a year, an agreement
is required under the statue of frauds.
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Dissociation (P/S may or may not continue) of a partner does not necessarily cause a dissolution (business it
wound up and then terminated)
Events of a dissociation:
• A partner wants to withdraw
• An event set forth in the P/S agreement that causes a dissociation
• A partner is expelled by unanimous vote
• A partner becomes a debtor in bankruptcy
• A partner dies
When a partner dissociates actual authority ends but apparent authority continues for two years until 3rd party
is given notice.
For debts prior to dissociation, partners remain liable unless released by creditors (novation)
For debts incurred after dissociation, partners are not liable if notice is filled with the state or each 3rd party
Liability of an incoming partner is limited to financial contribution to P/S for debts prior to his/her arrival, and
is personally liable of all debts incurrent by the partnership after he becomes a partner
Distribution of assets
• Step 1: Liquidate assets
• Step 2: Pay creditors (insiders or outsiders); if the liquidation of assets do not cover the costs to pay the
creditors, then the losses are split
• Step 3: If there is leftover after paying creditors, return capital to partners or split losses
• Step 4: If there is anything left, divide profits
Partners are generally liable for all contracts entered into and all torts committed by other partners within the
scope of the P/S business
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The partners' liability is joint and several for the entire amount. Meaning if the other partners flee the country,
you are liable for all P/S obligations
Differences
• Not personally liable for debts of the P/S or acts/torts committed by another partner, employee
or agent, but you can lose your investment. But you are still liable for your own acts and the acts of
those directly under their control.
• Must file with the state
Limited Partnership
• Is comprised of at least 1 general partner who manages the business and is personally liable (for all P/S
debts) and at least one limited partner (whose liability is limited to capital contribution)
• Unanimous consent required for either the GP or LP to sell their interest, or a new partner be added
• Partners must make some type of capital contribution
• Absent an agreement, profit and loss allocation is based on capital contribution
• A LP is like a shareholder, no control power, may assign interest, does not owe fiduciary duty, is not an
agent, has not apparent authority
• A LP may be dissolved by
- Occurrence of time or stated time in the P/S agreement
- Written consent of all general partners
- Withdrawal or death of a general partner
- Judicial decree
• A LP has a right to vote on fundamental changes, inspect the P/S books, transact business with P/S, bring
derivative action
• A LP can lose limited liability is they do any 1 of the following
- Serve as a general partner
- Allowing name to be used in P/S name
- Participate in control (3rd party has reason to believe that the LP is a general partner)
A limited partnership and corporation are both created under a state statute and require filing with the state
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• If the LLC is Manager managed, each manager is an agent, but the other members are not agents and does
not have the power to bind the LLC
• Voting strength based on capital, ownership interest [while in GP, LLP, LP voting strength is equal unless
agreed otherwise]
Corporation
• Must file with state called articles of incorporation
- Name of corporation
- Name and addresses of the corporations registered agent
- Name and addresses of each of the incorporators
- Number of shares authorized to be issued
- One of more classes of shares must have unlimited voting rights
• Directors are elected by shareholders, directors select executive officers to manage day-to-day operations
• Stockholders, directors, and officers are not personally liable for obligations of the corporation (just lose
investment), but may be liable for torts the individual commits
• Perpetual life, can continue after the death of resignation of owners or managers
• Stock holders free to transfer ownership interest whenever they want to whomever they want\
C Corp - double taxation (if income is distributed to stockholders), corporate tax rates lower than personal rates
S Corp - taxed like a partnership, flowthrough; however there are restrictions on S Corps
- Stock can not be held by more than 100 persons
- Shareholders must be individuals, estates or certain trusts
- The corporation must be domestic
- Can only be one class of stock
- Foreign shareholders are generally prohibited
Certain types of businesses (insurance companies and savings institutions) cannot file for bankruptcy regardless
of what type of entity they are formed as
Most aspects of corporate law are governed by state law, but some aspects (federal tax, securities regulation)
are governed by federal law. The state statue is called Revised Model Business Corporation Act (RMBCA)
Promoters, who raise capital for the corporation, enter into contracts with third parties who are interested in
becoming shareholders (stock subscription)
- Promoters are generally personally liable on the contracts (B1-33 more detail on this)
- Even if the corporation adopts a promoters contract, the promoter remains liable unless the promoter is
released by the third party (novation)
Ultra Vires Act - If the corporation has a narrow purpose cause (some states do not require it) and the
corporation undertakes business outside the clause, it is said to be acting "ultra vires" and may effect the firm.
• A shareholder may seek an injunction (order from the court) prohibiting the corp from the action
• The corp or shareholders may sue to recover damager from the directors or officers who
authorized the ultra vires act
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• The state (usually the attorney general) may bring an action to have the corp dissolved for
committing the act
Bylaws - rules for running the entity. They are not part of the articles of incorporation and are not required to be
filed with the state
• Bylaws may not contain rules that conflict with the articles of incorporation
• Can be amended by board of directors or the shareholders
De jure - all of the requirements for incorporation are met and it will be recognized for all purposes
De facto corporation doctrine - requirements for incorporation are not met, but the business might still be
treated as a corporation, if the incorporators made a good faith attempt to incorporate and operated as if they
had incorporated, the business will be treated as a corporation in all aspects
Doctrine of incorporate Estoppel - requirements for incorporation are not met, but the business might still be
treated as a corporation, if a party who treats a business as if it were a validly formed corporation will be
estopped (legally barred) from claiming in a legal proceeding that the corporation was not validly formed
[if the 3rd party reasonably believes that they were dealing with a corp {not fraud}, then the party can not claim
the corp was not valid]
Defective corporation - entity did not make a good faith attempt to incorporate so shareholders are personally
liable
Piercing the corporate veil - courts hold shareholders, officers or directors, active in operation of the business,
of a de jure (properly formed) corporation will be held liable (because the legislative privilege of conducting
business is being abused). There are three reasons the corporate veil will be pierced:
1. Commingling personal funds with corporate funds
2. Inadequate capitalization - corporation is under capitalized at the time of formation
3. Committing fraud on existing creditors - if the corporation was formed to defraud existing personal
creditors
Foreign corporation - a corporation not incorporated within the state (Cali corp going to NY to do business)
Domestic corporation - incorporated within the state
A foreign corporation may not transact business (maintain an office within the state or conduct regular
intrastate business) within a state it has registered with the state and has obtained a certificate of authority. [So
you don't need to file twice for incorporation]
Quorum - a majority in attendance, so if there are 10 board members, 6 must be present at a meeting to have a
quorum
Operation of a corporation
• A corporation only needs only one director
• The articles of incorporation usually name the initial director, who hold office until the first annual
meeting.
• Directors may be removed by shareholder vote with or without cause
• Director's meetings are only valid if a quorum is present, and action may be taken with a majority of vote
of those present, so if 4 of the 6 approve the action, it would be valid
• Individually, directors have no right or power to act, they are not agents, they owe a fiduciary duty
• Directors may not vote by proxy, must be there physically
• Individually, officers have powers, they are agents and have fiduciary duties
Fundamental changes require both board and shareholder approval, examples are:
• Amendments to the articles of incorporation
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• Mergers
A+B=A; both A&B's boards and shareholders must approve the fundamental change
• Consolidations
A+B=C; both A&B's boards and shareholders must approve the fundamental change
• Share exchanges
A acquires all the outstanding shares of B; A needs only the board approval, B's boards and shareholders
must approve the fundamental change
• Sale of all or substantially all of the corporations assets (purchasing company, buy side, only needs board
approval)
• Dissolutions - termination of corporate existence (could be involuntary through judicial proceedings)
Merger of a subsidiary (parent owning 90% or more of a subsidiary) - Parent needs only boards approval.
Parent's board makes decision unilaterally
Par value - minimum price the stock can be issued for legally (to ensure the corporation would be capitalized to
a certain level
Under RMBCA, board of directors can issue the stock price at any level and be issued in exchange for any
benefit to the corporation (services rendered, services to be performed, real estate, etc)
If property is accepted for stock, the board must value the land in good faith
Unpaid stock - a subscriber has promised, but failed, to pay for stock, the subscriber may be liabel to either the
corporation or its creditors
Watered stock - stock that has been issued in exchange for property worth less than the part value
A corporation has no obligation to allocate profits and losses to among shareholders. However, if dividends are
declared by the board of directors, shareholders are treated as unsecured creditors
Cumulative Preferred shares - gets paid dividends in arrears. Gets paid before noncumulative preferred
Noncumulative Preferred shares - gets paid before common stockholders, if a dividend is declared but not paid
within the year, the noncumulative shares lose out
Stock dividends - authorized shares owned by the corporation but unissued, because no assets are issued,
shareholder do not owe federal taxes
Cumulative voting - each share is entitled to one vote for each director position being filled in any way, so can
cast all votes for one single candidate (protects minority shareholder)
Shareholders may vote only if a quorum is present, and they may vote by proxy (appointment valid for 11
months)
Shareholders in small corporations (closely held corporations) can put restriction on the transfer of stock, but
they can not put an absolute bar against selling shares. Examples of restrictions include:
• Right of first refusal - giving specified persons the option to buy shares before selling to an outsider
• Requiring that specified persons approve the transfer of stock
• Prohibiting the transferring of shares to a certain type of persons, such as competitors
Shareholders have the right to inspect the books and records upon request if its for a proper purpose. Improper
purposes to personally benefit the inspecting shareholder include obtaining the contact information of
shareholders to create a commercial mailing list
Pre-emptive rights - the right to purchase additional shares to maintain their proportionate voting strength.
No pre-emptive right unless articles of incorporation provide for them
Dissenting shareholder - vote on a fundamental change and lose. The shareholder may dissent and demand that
the corporation pay them fair value of their shares (buy them out)
Derivative action - the corporation has legal cause of action but refuses to bring action, the shareholder may
that the right to bring derivative action to enforce the corporations rights if three prerequisites are met:
1. Shareholder must have been a shareholder during time of the alleged wrong
2. The shareholder must be suing in the best interests of the corporation
3. The shareholder must have made a demand on the board
Board of directors
• Job to initiate fundamental changes
• Declare dividends
• Uses good faith (talks and relies on the officers, auditors, consultants to make decisions)
• Should not profit from material inside information
• Can not serve on the board of a competitor
• Should disclose conflicts of interest and abstain from voting
- Only liable of the deal is unfair and causes damage to the corporation
• Directors may remove officers with or without cause. The removal can occur even if it breaches the
officers' contract, but the corporation may be liable for damages (not the stockholders or directors)
Corporations are allowed to indemnify (repay) directors for expenses for any lawsuit (for accidents or
negligence, not intentional torts) brought against them in their corporate capacity
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Business cycles and reasons for business fluctuations
GDP - the total market value of all final goods and services produced within the borders of a nation in a
particular time period. (GM has a factory in China, doesn't count in GDP, Toyota has a factory in US,
counts as GDP)
Nominal GDP - unadjusted, measures the value of all final goods and services in current prices
Real GDP - adjusted to account for changes in the price level by removing inflation by using a price index
(called GDP deflator)
Recession - the economy experiences negative real economic growth (declines in national output) for two
consecutive quarters
Depression - a sever recession, long period of stagnation in business activity and high unemployment rates
Draw supply & demand curve (do you remember how to label the graph, which goes where?)
The multiplier effect - increase in spending generates income for firms, which in turn spend that income, which
gives other firms or households income and so on. This results from the marginal
propensity to consume (MPC), The MPC is the change in consumption due to $1 increase
in income,
Gross National Product (GNP) - includes goods and services produced overseas by U.S. firms and excludes
goods and services that are produced domestically by foreign firms. (GM has a factory in China, counts as
GNP, Toyota has a factory in US, does not count in GNP)
Disposable income (DI) - personal income less personal taxes. It is the amount of income households have
available to either spend or save
Types of Unemployment
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• Fictional unemployment - normal unemployment resulting from workers changing jobs or being
temporarily laid off
• Structural Unemployment - Jobs available do not correspond to the skills of the work force, or workers
do not live where the jobs are located
• Seasonal unemployment - is the result of seasonal changes in the demand and supply of labor
• Cyclical unemployment - amount of unemployment resulting from declines in real GDP during a
contraction or recession
Fictional, structural and seasonal will always occur regardless of the economic state.
Natural rate of employment - normal rate of employment around which the unemployment rate fluctuates due
to cyclical unemployment
Inflation is defined as the sustained increase in general prices of goods and services
Consumer Price Index (CPI) - measure of the overall cost of fixed basket of goods and services purchased by
an avg household
Inflation rate = [(CPI this period - CPI last period) ÷ CPI last period] * 100
Monetary assets and liabilities (cash, A/R, Notes payable, etc) are fixed in dollars and are not affected by
inflation
Non-monetary assets and liabilities (buildings, land, machinery, etc) will fluctuate with inflation and deflation
During a period of inflation, those receiving money (its worth less) will be hurt because purchasing power as
eroded. Firms that lend money at fixed interest rates will be hurt by inflation
During a period of inflation, those with a fixed amount of debt will be aided because they will repay the debt
will inflated dollars. Thus inflation tends to benefit firms with a large amount of outstanding debt
The Phillips curve - illustrates the inverse relationship between inflation and the unemployment rate
Cyclical budget deficit - caused by temporary low activity (poor economy means less income for people so
government gets less in revenues)
A structural budget deficit - caused by a structural imbalance between government spending and revenue
Monetary policy is the use of the money supply to stabile the economy. The fed controls the money supply
through 3 main ways:
1. Open Market Operations - purchase (increase M1) and sale (decrease M1) of government securities
(T-bills and bonds)
2. Discount rate - the rate the fed charges banks. Raising rates discourages borrowing and decreases
money supply and visa versa
3. Required Reserve Ratio (RRR) - fraction of total deposits banks must hold in reserve. Raising the
RRR decrease money supply
Money demand and interest rates are inversely related. As interest rates rise, it becomes more expensive to hold
money (because holding money rather than saving or investing it means you do not earn interest), thus reducing
the demand for money
An increase in money supply will cause interest rates to fall, leading to increase in investment, increasing
demand, causing GDP to increase, unemployment to fall and price level to rise
SWOT - Strength and Weakness are internal, Opportunities and Threats are external
Implementing a plan can occur on various levels; Corporate lvl, Business lvl, Functional lvl, Operating lvl.
[Strategic] ----------------------------------- [Tactical]
The market demand curve for a good is the sum of all the individual demand curves
B2-34 graph illustrating individual demand curve summed to market demand curve
If price is set above the equilibrium (price floor), it will create a surplus, quantity supplied exceeds quantity
demanded
If price is set below the equilibrium (price ceiling), it will create a shortage, quantity demanded exceeds
quantity supplied
Elasticity - measure of how sensitive the demand for, or supply of, a product changes to changes in price
Price elasticity is measured in 2 ways:
• Point method - measures price elasticity at a particular point of the demand curve
Price elasticity = % change in quantity demanded ÷ % change in price
Cross elasticity - the % change in the quantity demanded (or supplied) of one good caused by the price change
of another good
Cross elasticity = % change in number of units of X demanded (or supplied) ÷ % change in price of Y
If the coefficient is positive, then the two goods are substitutes
If the coefficient is negative, then the commodities are complements
Accounting profits - difference between total revenue and total accounting costs
Economic profits - difference between total revenue and total economic costs, which include opportunity costs
Marginal costs (incremental cost) - is the change in total cost associated with a change in output quantity over a
period of time
Economies of scale - are reductions in unit costs resulting from increases size of operations
Diseconomies of scale - size becomes inefficient and they are no longer cost productive
Monopolistic competition
- Many firms with differentiated products
- Few barriers to entry
- Ability to exert some influence over the price and market
- Competition to increase brand loyalty
Oligopoly
- Few firms with differentiated products
- Fairly significant barriers to entry
- Ability to fix prices
Monopoly
- A single firm with a unique product
- Significant barriers to entry
- The ability of the firm to set output and prices
- No substitute products
Regardless of the model, the firm will operate best/ maximize short run profits, Price = Marginal Revenue =
Marginal Cost (P=MR=MC)
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Cartels - a group of firms acting together to coordinate output decisions and control prices as if they were a
single monopoly
Boycotts - organized group of refusals to conduct market transactions with a target group
Factors of production
- Land (natural resources)
- Labor (human capital)
- Capital (non-human physical capital accumulated through past investment)
Minimum wage causes a surplus of workers because a firm can't or don't want to pay works (minimum wage is
set above equilibrium price). So it increases unemployment.
Best cost provider combines the cost leadership strategy benefits with the differentiation strategy
Types of hedges
• Futures - trade on an exchange, smaller transaction and are denominated in standard amounts
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• Forwards - trade over-the-counter, larger transaction and denominated in standard amounts
• Money Market Hedge - uses domestic currency to purchase a foreign currency at spot rates and invest
them in securities times to mature at the same time as the payable is due
B2-79 example of money market hedge
Transfer pricing - transaction between subsidiaries to minimize taxation while still being legal
Other
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Factors affecting financial modelling and decision making
Relevant data - data, such as future revenues or costs, that change as a result of selecting different alternatives
• Can either be fixed or variable, but usually variable
• Direct costs - costs that can be identified with or traced to a given cost object
• Prime costs - DM & DL
• Discrentionary costs - costs arising from a periodic or annual budgeting decision (i.e. landscaping)
• Incremental/differential costs - additional costs incurred to produce an additional unit over current output
• Avoidable - costs or revenues resulting from choosing one course of action instead of another
Objective probability - based on past outcomes (like returns on the stock market
Subjective probability - based on an individuals belief about the likelihood of an event occurring (a lawsuit)
Discounted cash flow (DCF) methods are considered the best methods to use for long-run decision because it
accounts for time value of money. However, it only uses a single growth rate, which is unrealistic as interest
rates change over time.
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Payback period - is simple to understand and focuses on the time period for return of investment (liquidity).
However, it ignores the time value of money. It shows the return of investment not the return on investment
(ignores cash flows occurring after initial investment is recovered)
Net initial investment [cash outflow + change in WC - sale proceeds on old PPE]
÷ increase in annual net after-tax cash flow [After-tax cash flow on operations + Depreciation tax shield]
= payback period
Discounted payback method - computes payback period using expected cash flows that are discounted by the
projects cost of capital
NPV is superior to IRR because it can still calculate when there are uneven cash flows or inconsistent rates of
return.
NPV is considered the best single technique for capital budgeting, however, NPV does not indicate the true rate
of return on investment, just merely if it is less than or greater than our hurdle rate.
Limitations
IRR assumes cash flows from reinvestment are reinvested at the IRR %
Less reliable when there are differing cash flows
Does not consider the amount of profit
Want profitability index over 1.0 which means that the PV of inflows is greater than the PV of outflows
PV of net future cash inflows
÷ PV of net initial investment
= Profitability index
The profitability index measures the cash-flow return per dollar invested; the higher the better
• Diversifiable risk, unsystematic risk, non-market risk - risk that is firm specific and can be diversified
away
• Nondiversifiable risk, systematic risk, market risk - risks that can not be diversified away
As any risk factor increases (interest rate risk, market risk, credit risk, default risk) the required rate of return
increases, which causes the PV or an asset to decrease
Projected cash flow ÷ required rate of return = PV of asset
Stated interest rate (nominal interest rate) - is the interest rate charged before any adjustments for market
factors [rate shown in the debt agreement]
Effective interest rate = the actual interest rate charged with a borrowing after reducing loan proceeds for
charges and fees related to a loan origination.
Effective interest rate = coupon ÷ proceeds
Annual percentage rate = effective periodic interest rate * number of periods in a year
The annual % rate is the rate required for disclosure by federal regulators
Operating Leverage - the degree to which a firm uses fixed costs (as opposed to variable costs) for leverage
Fixed (i.e. Executive salaries) - risk and potential return increases
Variable (i.e. commissions) - risk and potential return decreases
% change in EBIT
÷ % change in sales
= Degree of Operating Leverage
If the numerator changes by a bigger amount than the denominator, that firm is employing leverage
So if a firms EBIT increases by 21% as sales increase by 7% then the DOL is 3. Meaning for every 1% increase
in sales, profit increases by 3%
Higher DOL implies that a small increase in sales will have a greater affect on profits and shareholder value.
But more risk.
Financial leverage - the degree to which a firm uses fixed financial costs for leverage
% change in EPS [or net income
÷ % change in EBIT
= Degree of financial leverage
Total combined leverage - the use of fixed costs resources and fixed cost financing to magnify returns to firm
owners
% change in EPS
÷ % change in sales
= Degree of total combined leverage
Or
Degree of total combined leverage = DOL * DFL
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The optimal capital structure is the mix or debt and equity that produces the lowest WACC which maximizes
firm value
CAPM = risk free rate + beta *(expected return on market - risk free rate)
[market risk premium]
B =1 as risky as market
B> 1 more risky than market
B< 1 less risky than market
ROA = NI ÷ assets
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The method used to value the investment affect the ROI. As the denominator increases the ROI decreases
ROI focuses on short term results and my cause a disincentive to invest because the short-term result of the new
investment may reduce ROI
Residual income measures the excess actual income earned by an investment over the required rate of return,
while ROI provides a % return
Primary method to increase cash levels is to either speed up cash inflows or slow down cash outflows
Annual cost of payment discount = 360 ÷ (pay period - discount period) * discount % ÷ (100 - discount %)
[works from either perspective, buyer or seller]
B3-62 has an example of payment discount calculation
Lockbox at bank may speed up cash inflow, however only worth it if the additional interest income earned on
the prompt deposit exceeds the cost of the lockbox
Disbursement float (positive) - occurs when checks have been written but not received by vendor and recorded
by the bank
Collection float (negative) - occurs when deposits have been recorded on the company's books but not recorded
by the bank
Credit period is the length of time buyers are given to pay for their purchases
Accounts payable or trade credit, provides the largest source of short term financing for small firms. Defer, try
to pay your bills at the end of the pay period
Re-order point = safety stock + (lead time in days or weeks * units sold per days or weeks)
Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) attempts to minimize ordering and carrying costs
EOQ = .5(( 2 * annual unit sales * cost per order) ÷ carrying cost per unit)
E = Order Size
S= Annual Sales in units
O=Cost per purchase Order
C=Carrying cost per unit
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Introduction to information technology
Components of a business information system
• Hardware - the actual physical devices
• Software - the systems and programs that process data, turning into information
• Data - raw facts
• Network - communication media that allows multiple computers to share data and info simultaneously
• People - the different people associated with business information system\
A management information system (MIS) - provides management and other end users with reports
An accounting information system (AIS) - type of management information system, it is part transaction
processing system and partly knowledge system
An audit trial should allow an auditor to trace the work from both begin to end, and, end to beginning
A decision support system (DSS) - provides interactive support for managers during the decision making
process. A DSS is a type of MIS
Executive information systems (EIS) - provides senior executives with immediate and easy access to internal
and external information to assist the executives in monitoring the business. EIS assists in strategic, not daily,
decision making.
Types of reports
• Exception reports - produced when a specific problem or exception occurs
• Demand reports - produced on-demand
• Ad Hoc reports - produced on-demand, without the need of a programmer to get involved. Also known as
a user report writer
• Query reports - produced based on a specific question posed by the end user (type of Ad hoc report)
• Push reports - produced based on information provided by end user (pushes information to computer)
System administrator
- Database administrator - responsible for maintaining and supporting the database software. May also
perform some security functions for the database
- Network administrator - establishes, monitors and supports the computer network
- Web administrator - responsible for information on a website
End users are any workers in an organization who enter data into a system or who use the information process
by the system
IT Fundamentals
The Central Processing unit (CPU) is composed of:
- The Processor - interprets program instructions and coordinates input, output and storage devices (the
control unit) and performs arithmetic calculations (the arithmetic logic unit)
- The primary storage - the main memory to store program instructions and data until the program
instructions are executed
Secondary storage devices - means to permanently story programs and data (hard drive, CD-rom, optical disks)
Peripherals - devices that transfer data to or from the CPU but do not take part in the actual processing of data
Input devices - devices that get information into the computer (keyboards, mice, microphones)
Output devices - devices that transfer data out of the computer (monitor, speakers, printers)
System software - programs that run the computer and support system management operations
Operating system - provides the interface between the user and the hardware
Database mgmt system (DBMS) - controls the development, use and maintenance or the database
Relational database - data is stored in two-dimensional tables that are related to each other via keys (i.e. look
up your information based on your student number)
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3. Database maintenance - use DMBS to improve effectiveness (get info we need to run the business)
and efficiency (working fast enough)
4. Application development - use DMBS to turn database into a computer software application
Types of databases
a) Operational database - supports day to day operations
b) Analytical database - consist of summarized data used primarily by managers
c) Distributed database - physically distributed ion different pieces of local or remote hardware
d) End-user database - developed by end users
Advantages of DBMS
a) Reduction of data redundancy and inconsistency
b) Potential for data sharing
c) Data independence
d) Data standardization
e) Improved data security
f) Expanded data fields
g) Enhanced information timeliness, effectiveness and availability
Disadvantages of DBMS
a) Expensive
b) Highly trained personal required
c) Increased chances of breakdowns
d) Possible obscuring of the audit trail
e) Specialized backup and recovery procedures required
Application software - is the diverse group of systems and programs that an organization uses to accomplish its
objectives.
Most LAN and WANS are set up as client/server systems. Workstations are referred to as clients. Other
processors that provide services to the workstations are called servers
Network topology defines the physical configuration of devices and the cables that connect them
Wide Area Network (WAN) - employ non-dedicated public communication channels (less secure than LAN)
Value Added Networks (VAN) - privately owned and managed networks that provide additional services beyond
standard data transmission
- Process transactions in batches as opposed to real time so there is a transmission delay
Transaction files - temporary, journals are transaction files (sales journal is called the sales transaction file)
Master file - permanent, ledgers are master files (A/R ledger is called the A/R master file)
Dollar fields - usual batch total term (a batch may contain $100 debits and $100 credits)
Hash total - totalled item is not in dollars (a batch of customer numbers)
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When manual controls are built into a computerized environment, they are calles programmed controls. 2 types
1. Input controls - verify that transaction data is entered correctly (valid, complete, and accurate)
2. Processing controls - verify that transaction data is processed correctly
Application controls - controls that apply to the processing of individual transactions (what happens inside the
computer
Firewalls - a system, often both hardware and software, of user identification and authentication that prevents
unauthorized users from gaining access to network resources
Firewalls deter but cannot completely prevent intrusion by outsiders
Firewalls do not protect against viruses
An application firewall, as opposed to a network firewall, is designed to protect specific application services
from attack.
Application firewalls are not meant to replace network firewalls but merely an additional safety barrier
Data and procedural controls may include the use of a control group (members of the user departments) to
ensure the system is running properly
Data validation
Check digits - exist when some kind of technique is used to compute a digit to add to an existing #
Limit tests - calculates whether the data value is within certain limits
Reasonable checks - calculates whether data value has a specific relationship with other data values
Encryption keys
The public key is distributed to others in a separate transmission. The sender of a message uses the private key
to encrypt the message, and the receiver uses the public key to decrypt the message
Cold site - off site location that has all the electrical connections, but does not have the physical equipment
Hot site - off site location that is completely equipped to immediately ready to run operations
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Electronic Commerce
E commerce is the electronic consummation of exchange (buying and selling) transaction
E business is more general than e-commerce and refers to any use of information technology to perform
business processes in an electronic from
EDI is a computer-to-computer exchange of business transaction documents in structured formats that allow the
direct processing of data by the receiving system
Costs of EDI include legal costs, hardware costs, costs of translation software, costs of data transmission, costs
associated with security
The greatest risk in an organizations use of EDI is an unauthorized access to the organizations system
B2B commerce make purchasing decisions faster, simpler, safer, more reliable and more cost effective
B2C is less complex that B2B because there is IT infrastructure and a supply chain only on one side of the
transaction.
Enterprise resource planning system (ERP) is a cross functional system that integrates and automates many
business processes
Supply chain mgmt (SCM) is concerned with the four important characteristics or every sale: what, when,
where and how much
SCM is a extended ERP system and addresses the entire supply chain
Customer relationship mgmt (CRM) - provide sales force automation and customer services in an attempt to
manage customer relationships
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Cost measurement and cost measurement concepts
Cost measurement concepts is associated with managerial accounting and internal reporting.
- Future orientation and usefulness characterize managerial accounting
- Meant for internal users
Cost drivers (a factor that has the ability to change total costs) may be based on
- Volume (output)
- Activity (value added)
- other
Cost objects - resources or activities that serve as the basis for management decisions. Cost objects require
separate cost measurement and may be products, product lines, departments, geographic locations, or any other
classification that aids in decision making.
A single cost object can have more than one measurement. Inventory (product) costs for financial statements
are usually different than costs reported for tax purposes. These costs differ than the inventory (product) costs
that management uses to make decisions
Product costs = DM + DL + Mfg OH applied. These costs are not expensed until the product is sold
(inventoriable)
Period costs = non mfg costs (SG&A). Are expensed in the period they are incurred and are not inventoriable.
Cost accounting systems are designed to meet the goal of measuring cost objects or objectives. The most
frequent objectives include:
- Product costing (inventory and COGS)
- Efficiency measurements (comparisons to standards)
- Income determination (profitability)
Examples of indirect costs - not easily traceable to a cost pool or cost object (B5-7)
Indirect costs are allocated to a single cost pool called overhead, i.e. manufacturing overhead
Indirect costs in mfg OH consist of both fixed and variable components (such as rent and indirect materials).
Total overhead cost is a mixed cost because it includes both fixed and variable costs
Depreciation is a fixed cost
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In a standard costing system, standard costs are used for all mfg costs (DM, DL, mfg OH)
Joint product costs - costs incurred in production up to the split-off point. Only allocated to the main products.
By-products do not receive an allocation of joint costs.
Method 2: Net realizable value (value at split-off point), used for inventory costing only
(Sales value of product A at split-off ÷ Total sales value at split-off) * joint costs = portion of product A
joint costs
Method 3: Sales value not available at split-off, subtract separable costs from final selling price to find net
realizable value at split-off
Final sales value of product A - Separable costs = sales value of product A at split-off
(Sales value of product A at split-off ÷ Total sales value at split-off) * joint costs = portion of product A
joint costs
*subtract value of byproduct from joint costs when allocating. Because proceeds from by-product reduce costs.
The lowest unit price acceptable is the variable cost of the product (DL + DM + Var mfg OH) plus the
contribution margin of the alternative use for the production capacity.
Beg WIP + total mfg costs [DL + DM used + mfg OH applied] - ending WIP = COGM
Application of overhead
Overhead rate = Budgeted overhead costs ÷ Estimated cost driver [such as labor hrs or costs, machine hrs]
Overhead applied = Actual cost driver * overhead rate
[based on actual production]
Overhead applied consists of both variable overhead and fixed overhead. The calculation is as follows (with
direct labour hours as the cost driver):
Variable overhead rate = budgeted variable mfg OH / budgeted direct labor hours
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Fixed overhead rate = Budgeted fixed mfg OH / budgeted direct labor hours
Total overhead rate = Variable overhead rate + Fixed overhead rate
Overhead applied to the job = Total overhead rate x actual direct labor hours = $5,625
Normal spoilage is an inventory cost and is included in the standard cost of the manufactured product
Abnormal normal spoilage is a period expense and is charged against income of the period as separate
component of cost of goods sold.
Activity based costing (ABC) uses multiple OH rates to assign indirect costs to products (cost objects) based on
the resources a product consumes.
An ABC system will apply high amounts of overhead to a product that places high demands on expensive
resources
Variable costing and absorption costing are the same except that all fixed mfg costs are treated as period costs
Under the contribution approach (variable costing), all fixed mfg OH is treated as a period cost and expensed
immediately. i.e. COGS includes only variable mfg costs. Not GAAP
Under the absorption approach (absorption costing), all fixed mfg OH is treated as a product cost and included
in inventory values. i.e. COGS includes both fixed and variable costs. GAAP
Target costing - the selling price of the product determines the production costs allowed
Economic value added (EVA) - measures the excess of income after taxes earned by an investment over the
return rate defined by the company's cost of capital.
Investment * cost of capital = required rate of return
Income after taxes - required return = economic value added
When considering alternatives, such as discontinuation of a product line, management should consider relevant costs.
Relevant costs are those costs that will change under different alternatives.
Learning curve analysis - used to determine increases in efficiency or production as experience is gained. Both
products have long production runs, making learning curve analysis the best method for estimating the cost of
the competitive bid.
Authoritative standards are set exclusively by management, while participative standards are set by both
managers and employees
A flexible budget - a series of budgets based on different activity levels within the relevant range.
The production budget - begins with sales budget and then adds in the effect of any changes in inventory levels
Standard costs usually means that a flexible budget is being used. Standard costs per unit can be used to adjust
the flexible budget to the actual volume.
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Budget Variance Analysis
DM price variance = actual quantity purchased * (actual price - standard price)
DM quantity variance = standard price * (actual quantity used - standard quantity allowed)
DL rate variance = actual hours works * (actual rate - standard rate)
DL efficiency variance = standard rate * (actual hours worked - standard hours allowed)
Standard quantity allowed (SQA) = actual output * standard allowed output
Sales volume variance = (actual units sold - budgeted unit sales) * standard contribution margin per unit
Sales mix variance = (actual product sales mix ratio - budgeted product sales mix ratio) * actual sold units *
budgeted contribution margin per unit of that product
Sales quantity variance = (actual units sold - budgeted unit sales) * budgeted sales mix ratio * budgeted
contribution margin per unit
Market size variance = (actual market size in units - expected market size in units) * budgeted market share *
budgeted contribution margin per unit weighted avg
Market share variance (actual market share - budgeted market share) * actual industry units * budgeted
contribution margin per unit weighted avg
Selling price variance = (actual SP per unit - budgeted selling price per unit) * actual units sold
Variable overhead efficiency variance - computed as budgeted variable overhead based on standard hours
minus budgeted variable overhead based on actual hours.
Budgeted variable OH = standard direct labor hours allowed x standard variable overhead rate
Budgeted variable OH = actual direct labor hours x standard variable overhead rate
Production volume variance component for overhead variances is computed as applied overhead minus
budgeted overhead based on standard hours
Applied Overhead
(Std Var OH Rate x Std DLH Allowed) + (Std Fixed OH Rate x Actual Production)
Budgeted overhead based on standard hours
(Std Var OH Rate x Std DLH Allowed) + (Std Fixed OH Rate x Standard Production)
The fixed overhead rate is $5 per machine hour [$1,200,000 / 240,000 = $5].
• The amount of FIXED manufacturing overhead planned for November is $100,000.
• Therefore, the standard production for FIXED overhead is 20,000 machine hours [$100,000/$5 = 20,000.]
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Benchmarking Techniques and best practices
Control chart - determine zero defects, shows quality performance trends
Pareto diagrams (histogram) - used to determine frequency of quality control issues
Cause and effect (fishbone) - analyze the source and location of a problem
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