a) Choosing a corporate objective of a firm is extremely important and has a determinant factor to the success or failure of a corporation in controlling the market.
Required:
Explain FOUR (4) objectives of not-for-profit organisations. (4 marks)
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- The welfare of employees
An organisation might try to provide good wages and salaries, comfortable and safe working conditions, good training and career development, and good pensions. If redundancies are necessary, many not for profit organisations will provide generous redundancy payments, or spend money trying to find alternative employment for redundant staff. - Survival
One of the first economic objectives of a non-for-profit is to raise enough money to meet its operating expenses in order to survive. These might include staffing needs, rent, utilities, insurance, furniture, computers and the other normal expenses of running a business. Some non-for-profits are staffed with employees, while others use an association management company or a contract executive director and vendors. - Fundraising
A key economic goal of charities is to raise funds to meet their charitable purposes. The process of fundraising goes beyond holding events or sending out mailings. A complete development effort includes creating a database of regular donors, applying for grants, seeking individual and corporate donations and holding events such as balls, auctions, raffles and sporting events. The cost of fundraising efforts can outweigh the total money spent on an organization’s charitable purpose at new or smaller organizations. - Compliance
The GRA sets target qualified distribution, or charitable spending, levels for some tax-exempt organizations, and these organizations set objectives to meet their requirements. For example, if an endowment earns GH¢100,000 annually for a nonprofit and the nonprofit only donates GH¢10,000 of that money, the GRA might fine the organization or ultimately revoke its tax-exempt status. - Related and Unrelated Business Income
Some not-for-profit, especially trade associations that are not not-for-profit, seek to raise money by charging for dues, selling newsletter advertising, sponsorships, educational materials, logoed items, holding events, seminars or a conference or holding a trade show. If the sales don’t relate directly to the organization’s purpose, this is known as unrelated business income and is taxable. Unrelated business income is often a major financial objective of organizations with low dues and contributions. Dues are considered related business income. Advertising revenue that covers the cost of an educational publication is related business income, while profits from ads might be considered unrelated and taxable income. - Endowment: Not all of the money a charity raises goes toward administration or service. Many not-for-profit have an economic objective of creating an endowment, which is a financial account that generates enough interest each year to fund charitable activities. Some not-for-profit set an objective of a dollar amount for their endowment, such as creating a GH¢1 million endowment. Once the fund is fully endowed, the organization sets an annual spending objective for the interest earned.
- Welfare of the society
Social objective are those objectives of business, which are desired to be achieved for the benefit of the society. Since business operates in a society by utilizing its scarce resources, the society expects something in return for its welfare. No activity of the business should be aimed at giving any kind of trouble to the society.
If business activities lead to socially harmful effects, there is bound to be public reaction against the business sooner or later. Social objectives of business include production and supply of quality goods and services, adoption of fair trade practices and contribution to the general welfare of society and provision of welfare amenities.
c) Identify and explain FOUR (4) essential roles performed by a Finance Manager in order for a corporate body to achieve its objectives. (10 marks)
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- Raising of Funds
In order to meet the obligation of the business it is important to have enough cash and liquidity. A firm can raise funds by the way of equity and debt. It is the responsibility of a financial manager to decide the ratio between debt and equity. It is important to maintain a good balance between equity and debt. - Allocation of Funds
Once the funds are raised through different channels the next important function is to allocate the funds. The funds should be allocated in such a manner that they are optimally used. In order to allocate funds in the best possible manner the following point must be considered
* The size of the firm and its growth capability.
* Status of assets whether they are long-term or short-term.
* Mode by which the funds are raised.
These financial decisions directly and indirectly influence other managerial activities. Hence formation of a good asset mix and proper allocation of funds is one of the most important activity. - Profit Planning
Profit earning is one of the prime functions of any business organization. Profit earning is important for survival and sustenance of any organization. Profit planning refers to proper usage of the profit generated by the firm.
Profit arises due to many factors such as pricing, industry competition, state of the economy, mechanism of demand and supply, cost and output. A healthy mix of variable and fixed factors of production can lead to an increase in the profitability of the firm.
Fixed costs are incurred by the use of fixed factors of production such as land and machinery. In order to maintain a tandem it is important to continuously value the depreciation cost of fixed cost of production. An opportunity cost must be calculated in order to replace those factors of production which has gone through wear and tear. If this is not noted then these fixed cost can cause huge fluctuations in profit. - Understanding Capital Markets
Shares of a company are traded on stock exchange and there is a continuous sale and purchase of securities. Hence a clear understanding of capital market is an important function of a financial manager. When securities are traded on stock market there involves a huge amount of risk involved. Therefore a financial manger understands and calculates the risk involved in this trading of shares and debentures.
It’s on the discretion of a financial manager as to how to distribute the profits. Many investors do not like the firm to distribute the profits amongst shareholders as dividend instead invest in the business itself to enhance growth. The practices of a financial manager directly impact the operation in capital market. - Cash management (Working Capital Management)
Cash Management is an important aspect of your business because it provides you with a process of monitoring, analyzing and adjusting the cash flow of your business which will enhance liquidity and profits while also reducing risk. - Risk Management
The role of a Finance Manager is to communicate risk policies and processes for an organisation. They provide hands-on development of risk models involving market, credit and operational risk, assure controls are operating effectively, and provide research and analytical support.