Understand the Types of Business Ownership Objective 2.01 Understand the Types of Business Ownership

Types of Business Ownership Sole Proprietorship Partnership Corporation Cooperative Franchise

Types of Business Ownership Which type of ownership is the most common in the United States? Sole proprietorship – 72% Partnership – 20% Corporation – 5% Other – 3% Which types of ownership counts for the most revenue in the United States? Corporation – 85% Partnership – 8% Sole proprietorship – 5% Other – 2%

Sole Proprietorship Business owned and run by just one person Who manages a sole proprietorship? Owner may manage business, or choose to have someone manage for them, and participate in daily operations and decision-making How are sole proprietorships formed? Easiest form of ownership to start Varies between states North Carolina – register your business name with the appropriate government entity and then get a business license and/or permits

Sole Proprietorship Advantages & Disadvantages Easy to form Complete control of business Recipient of 100% of the profit One time taxation Limited capital Unlimited liability Limited lifetime Advantages for Owner Disadvantages for Owner

Sole Proprietorship continued How is a sole proprietorship terminated? Decision or life of owner What are some sources of funding that may be used for investment? Personal, gifts, borrowed, and others may vary

Partnership Business owned and controlled by two or more people who have entered into a written agreement. Who manages a partnership? Determined by partnership agreement. It may be one or more partners, or someone that has been hired to manage the day-to-day operations. How is a partnership formed? Partnership agreement. Most states require a business name and the name of each partner be registered. North Carolina, partners must choose a name for their business, register the business name with the appropriate government entity, sign a partnership agreement, and then get a business license and/or permits

Partnership Advantages & Disadvantages Unlimited liability Limited lifetime – if partner leaves or dies Profits are shared Decisions are made jointly Hard to add other partners Easy to form More capital and credit available Work load more evenly shared Losses are also shared Advantages for Partners Disadvantages for Partners

Partnership continued How is a partnership terminated? By actions of the partners, bankruptcy, death, and/or court order What are some sources of funding that can be used for investments by partners? Personals of partner(s), gifts, borrowed, and others may vary What are some examples of partnerships? Can you name some local examples? South Railroad Limited Partnership Eden Limited Partnership (Law and accounting firms are usually good examples for local partnerships)

Specialized Partnerships Why would an investor choose a limited liability partnership? If an investor does not want to lose more than the amount of their investment and does not care to be involved in every day operations Why would businesses choose to enter into a joint venture? When the businesses only want to be partners for a limited time and for a specific reason/project

Specialized Partnerships (Continued) What is meant by the saying “by proof of existence”? This is used for partnerships or joint ventures that don’t have a formal agreement and just conduct business together. In this case, partners may or may not be aware of their formed partnership.

Participation in the Business Relationship to the Public Types of Partners Type of Partner Participation in the Business Relationship to the Public Degree of Liability General* Active Known Unlimited Dormant Not active Unknown Limited Secret Silent *Every partnership must have at least one general partner.

Corporation Owned by one or more shareholders (stockholders) An entity with the legal authority to act as a single person How is ownership determined? The purchase of stock A stockholder, or shareholder, owns a “piece” of the company One share of common stock equals one vote Who manages a corporation? Managers, board of directors, and shareholders

How Are Corporations Formed? Filing an article of incorporation with state government Business must create corporate bylaws, name a board of directors, and issue shares of stock North Carolina - the business must choose a name, choose board of directors, file articles of incorporation, create bylaws, hold a meeting, issue stock, obtain licenses, determine tax obligations, and open a bank account for the business

Corporation Advantages & Disadvantages Capital easy to obtain Limited liability for shareholders Can invest without having to manage day- to-day operations Possibility of unlimited lifetime of business Decision-making is shared Double taxation: profits and earnings Subject to more laws than other types of ownership More difficult to form Operations controlled by shareholders and board of directors instead of original owner(s) Example: 10 years after founding Apple, Steve Jobs was fired by the board of directors. Advantages of Corporations Disadvantages of Corporations

Corporation continued How is a corporation terminated? Corporation may have unlimited life Determined by charter or articles of dissolution, and must be approved by the majority of the board of directors and/or stockholders (shareholders) What is the source of investment for corporations? Purchase of stock shares What are some examples? Walmart, Microsoft, Ford Motor Company, Coca- Cola, Delta

Specialized Corporations What is special about an S-corporation? Type of corporation that treats each partner/owner as an individual by taxing them only one time Why would a small business operate as an limited liability company (LLC)? Used by small businesses to receive limited liability protection No articles of incorporation or bylaws are needed

Specialized Corporations (Continued) Who benefits from services of a nonprofit corporation? Benefits the public and is exempt from taxation May get grants from individuals or businesses to raise funds

Cooperatives Co-op Why would an individual or business choose to be part of a cooperative? Formed by a group of individuals or businesses to serve their needs in order to gain bargaining power against bigger businesses Allows for goods or services to be purchased at a lower price as a group and is owned by the members of the cooperative What are some examples of a cooperative? Agricultural cooperatives, housing cooperatives, utility cooperative, credit unions (cooperative banking)

Franchises Why would an individual choose franchise as a form of business? A franchise grants permission to sell products and services to another business Offers brand/product recognition and a proven format of business that is successful What are some examples of a franchise? Jackson-Hewitt Tax Services Burger King Firestone Tires Local stores selling shell gas