Introduction to Financial Management free essay sample

MGT201 (Financial Management) MGT201 Lecture No. 01 Introduction to Financial Management Learning objectives: The purpose of this lecture is to provide you with an overview of financial management. After finishing this lecture, you would be able to have a better understanding of the following. Definition of financial management Significance of financial management for non-finance students and professionals Important concepts and areas in financial management The position of financial managers in organizational hierarchy and their respective work domains. Different business legal entities, their advantages and limitations. The external and internal business environments and their relevance to financial management. Different types of financial and real assets markets. What is FM? FM is the management of financial resources – how to best find and use investments and financing opportunities in an ever-changing and increasingly complex environment. Why should CS majors study FM? First of all, financial management is a core life skill; almost every one needs to understand some concepts of finance to manage his/her business personal finances. We will write a custom essay sample on Introduction to Financial Management or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page It is generally and quite rightfully said, â€Å"Money makes the world go round†. Finance is like a life-blood for a company. Even the best of the companies and CEOs go out of the business because of poor financial management policies. Management Information Systems (MIS) and Information Technology (IT) are just a part of the overall corporate strategy which runs on finances, the major resource. So the computer sciences professionals need to have an understanding of the financial concepts to understand and contribute to the overall corporate strategy. Financial Engineering is an upcoming field that requires people with CS, math/science, and finance background. Financial engineering is the application of engineering methods to finance. One important area of study is the design, analysis, and construction of financial contracts to meet the needs of enterprises. This field is experiencing an increased demand for professionals, especially those who are trained in both the underlying mathematics/computer technologies and finance. Page 1  © Copyright Virtual University of Pakistan MGT201 (Financial Management) Definitions Finance: Finance is the science of managing financial resources in an optimal pattern i. e. the best use of available financial sources. Finance consists of three interrelated areas: 1) Money Capital markets, which deals with securities markets financial institutions. 2) Investments, which focuses on the decisions of both individual and institutional investors as they choose assets for their investment portfolios. 3) Financial Management, or business finance which involves the actual management of firms. Major Areas Concepts of Financial Management Following are some of the important areas and concepts of financial management, which would be discussed in detail in the lectures to come. Analysis of Financial Statements: Analysis of financial statement is one of the most common techniques of financial analysis, in which the financial performance and financial health of a company are analyzed based on its past performance. The following financial statements are used in the analysis process. †¢ Profit Loss Statement or Income Statement Income statement reflects the operating efficiency or profitability of a company as a result of its operations along with the net profit available to the shareholders for a given year (usually one accounting period). This statement provides the analyst with some insight into the financial performance of the company. Balance Sheet Balance Sheet is a snap-shot of an organization’s financial health at a particular time. It shows what assets are owned by the business and the sources of acquiring these assets. Statement of Shareholders’ equity Statement of shareholders’ equity provides the share of the owners in the business. Statement of Cash Flows Statement of cash flows explicitly reflects the cash movement (inflows and outflows) during the operations in an accounting period. o o o Taken together, these statements give an accounting picture of the firm’s operations and financial position. Financial statements report what has actually happened to the assets, earnings, and dividends over the years. The analysis of the information contained in these statements help management of the organization to Page 2  © Copyright Virtual University of Pakistan MGT201 (Financial Management) evaluate the performance and activities of the concern; it also helps the investors and creditors to have an idea of the profitability potential and creditworthiness of the business. Investment Decisions Capital Budgeting: Investment decisions are the most critical as they usually involve huge sums of money and these decisions are likely to bring prosperity or doom to a business. A company’s future income depends on how much investment is made, in what type of assets, and how these assets add to the overall value of the company. Capital budgeting is a term strictly related to investment in fixed assets; here, the term capital refers to the fixed assets that are used in production, while budget is a plan which details projected cash inflows and outflows over some future period. The following concepts and techniques are employed while analyzing investment decisions. o Interest rate formulas o Time Value of Money o Discounted Cash Flows o Net Present Value o Internal Rate of Return Risk Return: Investors, individual or institutional, invest their money with the expectations of earning a return on their investment. While investors wish and attempt to earn maximum return, they are constrained by risk. How the risks and returns are related and how do investors make a choice of their portfolios is important for investment decision making. Following concepts and theories would be discussed while discussing the risk-return choices of the investor: o o o o Uncertainty Risk Portfolio Theory Capital Asset Pricing Model Corporate Financing Capital Structure: When a firm plans to expand, it needs capital or funds. Acquisition of funds is considered to be a primary responsibility of a finance department in an organization. There are numerous ways to acquire funds, i. e. , finances can be raised in the form of debt or equity. The proportion of debt and equity constitutes the capital structure of the firm. Financial experts attempt to find a combination of debt and equity that could increase the overall value of the company, i. e. , they try to find the optimal capital structure. The following concepts would be used to understand how an optimal capital structure could be attained. Cost of Capital Leverage Dividend Policy Page 3  © Copyright Virtual University of Pakistan o o o MGT201 (Financial Management) o Debt Instruments Valuation: Asset or company valuation is important not only for financial managers, but also for creditors and investors. It is important to know the value of the company or its assets to make important financing and investment choices. Different valuation techniques and factors that influence the value of a company or its financial instruments would be discussed in this section. o o o o Share Bond Option Corporate Working Capital Inventory Management: Working capital and inventory management pertains to the effective management of current assets. As we will see, an optimal and effective utilization of working capital and inventory increases the operating efficiency of the firm. International Finance Foreign Exchange: With the increasing importance of international trade and global markets, the role of international finance has increased manifold. In a global environment, the finance managers have more choices pertaining to investing and financing than ever before. However, it is important to understand the implications of working in a global environment, since fluctuations in the currency rates can convert a good financing or investment decision into a bad one. This section of the course would discuss the international financial environment and the financial implications of working in a global environment. Organizational Structure (Who does the FM work? ) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Treasurer Controller Cash Investment Accounts Capital Budgeting Audit Capital Structure Inventory Page 4  © Copyright Virtual University of Pakistan MGT201 (Financial Management) Business Legal Entities †¢ Sole Proprietorship : It is an unincorporated business owned by one individual. Going into a business as a sole proprietor is simple – one merely has to begin business operations. Proprietorship consists of 80%of the total number of businesses worldwide. Advantages: i. ii. iii. It is easily inexpensively formed. It is subject to few government regulations. The business pays no corporate income tax; only personal income tax is paid by the proprietor. Limitations: i. ii. It is difficult for a proprietorship to obtain large sums of capital. The proprietor has unlimited personal liability for the business debts, which can result in losses hat exceed the money invested by him in the business. The life of the business organized as proprietorship is limited to the life of the individual who created it. iii. Partnership: A partnership exists whenever two or more persons associate to conduct a noncorporate business. It could be registered or unregistered. Advantages: i. ii. Limitations: i. ii. iii. iv. Unlimited Liability. Limited life of the organization. Difficulty of transferring ownership. Difficulty of raising large amounts of capital. Low cost involved Ease of formation. Corporation: A corporation is a limited company and a separate legal entity registered by the government. It is separate distinct from its owners managers. It Can be Private Limited Page 5  © Copyright Virtual University of Pakistan MGT201 (Financial Management) (Pvt. Ltd. ) or Public Limited (which may be listed on Stock Exchange). The businesses in the form of corporations control 80% of global sales of products and services. Advantages: i- Unlimited life: A corporation can continue even after the death of its original owners. ii- Easy transferability of ownership interest: Ownership interests can be divided into shares of stock, which in turn can be transferred far more easily than can proprietorship partnership interests. ii- Limited Liability: The liability of the shareholders is limited up to the extent of nominal value of shares held by them. Creditors and banks cannot confiscate personal properties of director shareholders in case of its bankruptcy. Limitations: Double Taxation: Corporate earnings may be subject to double taxation – the earnings of the corporation are taxed at corporate level, and then any earnings paid out as dividends are ta xed again as income to the stockholders. ii. Legal Formalities: Setting up a corporation, and filing many official documents, is more complex and time consuming than for a proprietor ship or a partnership Hybrids (Mixed): Hybrid organizations are specialized types of partnerships, which combine the limited liability advantage of a corporation with the tax advantages of a partnership. S-Type Corporation: S- Type corporations are Limited Liability Corporations without double taxation. In a regular corporation, the company itself is taxed on business profits. In addition, the owners pay individual income tax on money that they draw from the corporation as salaries, bonuses, or dividends. In contrast, in an S corporation, all business profits pass through to the owners, who report them on their personal tax returns (as in sole proprietorships, partnerships, and Limited Liability Companies). The S corporation itself does not pay any income tax, although a co-owned S corporation must file an informational tax return like a partnership or Limited Liability Companies – to tell the tax authorities what each shareholders portion of the corporate income is. i. Page 6  © Copyright Virtual University of Pakistan MGT201 (Financial Management) LLP: Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) is also a form of partnership with allows limited liability to the owners and avoids double taxation. These organizations are similar in many ways to the S Corporations; however, LLPs offer more flexibility and benefits to the owners. PC: Personal Corporations ( PC) or Professional Corporations are generally formed by professionals to protect them against litigations. Professionals like doctors, lawyers and accountants prefer to register their business as Professional Corporations. Balance Sheet – An FM Perspective Page 7  © Copyright Virtual University of Pakistan MGT201 (Financial Management) Internal and External Business Environment Internal Business Environment: Internal environment of business normally consists of the following. i. Finance ii. Marketing iii. Human Resources iv. Operations (Production, Manufacturing) v. Technology vi. Other Functions (Logistics, Communications) External Business Environment: The following business environment factors outside an organization have a profound effect on the functions and operations of an organization. . ii. iii. iv. v. vi. Customers Suppliers Competitors Government/Legal Agencies Regulations Macro Economy/Markets: Technological Revolution Page 8  © Copyright Virtual University of Pakistan MGT201 (Financial Management) An analysis which is used in a business is called SWOT Analysis. SWOT is an acronym where S stands for Strengths W stands for Weaknesses O stands for Opportunities T stands for Threat s Strengths and weaknesses are within an organization, i. e. , they pertain to the internal environment of the organization. Opportunities and threats, on the other hand, pertain to the external environment, i. e. , outside the organization. Financial Markets †¢ Capital Markets: These are the markets for the long term debt corporate stocks. Stock Exchange: A stock exchange is a place where the listed shares, Term finance certificates (TFC) and national investment trust units (NIT) are exchanged and traded between buyers and sellers. Long term bonds: Long term government corporate bonds are also traded in capital markets. Money Markets Money market generally is a market where there is buying and selling of short term liquid debt instruments. (Short term means one year or less). Liquid means something which is easily encashable; an instrument that can be easily exchanged for cash. Following financial instruments are traded in money markets. Short term Bonds o Government of Pakistan: Federal Investment Bonds (FIB), Treasury-Bills (T-Bills) o Private Sector: Corporate Bonds, Debentures Call Money, Inter -bank short-term and overnight lending borrowing Loans, Leases, Insurance policies, Certificate of Deposits (CD’s) Badlah (money lending against shares), Road-side money lenders Page 9  © Copyright Virtual University of Pakistan MGT201 (Financial Management) †¢ Real Assets or Physical Asset Markets Following are the active markets of real and physical assets in Pakistan o o o Cotton Exchange, Gold Market, Kapra Market Property (land, house, apartment, warehouse) Computer hardware, Used Cars, Wheat, Sugar, Vegetables, etc. Page 10  © Copyright Virtual University of Pakistan

What is a History Research Paper

What is a History Research Paper Whats the difference between a history essay and a history research paper? Read here to get the answer. What Is a History Research Paper? A history research paper differs from a common history essay by requiring greater effort while doing background research, organizing structure, reviewing the literature and so on. These factors are actually lying on the surface, but if you dig deeper, you will see at least a dozen other parameters that need to be taken into account. Unlike a simple history essay, which only requires proper structuring and language, research papers on history topics require a more substantial approach, which will be discussed further. Although the topics below are aimed to write a history essay on, they may serve you as good ideas for your research paper topic: 50 Ideas for History Essay Topics General Tips for Writing a History Research Paper 1. Select a topic  that is neither too broad nor too narrow. The pitfalls of either choice are obvious: if the topic is too narrow you will have nothing to research or write about. 2. Present an argument. Your research paper should be designed in such a way that it should give your opponents the chance to ask questions. Your role is substantiating your claim by referring to the background research. The quality of your argumentation will determine the overall success of your paper. 3. Rely on primary information. Your history project should rely on primary sources and thoroughly analyze secondary information. History projects require that you work with primary facts and then interpret them, showing your judgment and analysis. Again, dont forget to back up your claims with facts and research. 4. Think of a title. Think of a good eye-catching title for your paper, it will provoke readers interest in your paper, at least on initial stages. 5. Consider your opposition. You take into account the audience you are writing for and write having your specific audience in mind. 6. Use proper language. Research papers require a use of formal language, dont allow any slang, contractions and also demand that the overall voice of your research paper remains consistently objective throughout the text. Needless to say that your paper should be proofread for errors, should contain no mistyped words and flow nicely. 7. Dont forget formatting structure. The structure and format are generally dictated by the writing format. Depending on whether you have APA, MLA, Chicago or Harvard standards to follow, you should modify your paper accordingly. The writing standard will impact almost everything in your research paper, starting from your cover page and formatting to referencing and the bibliography page. Therefore format should be paid great attention to from the start. Bear in mind the above-mentioned tips to write your research paper on history. If this writing task is too complicated  for you, we are here to assist you. Visit our Order Page for details.

The Energy Crisis in 2050, Global Warming, Renewable Sources of Energy Essay

The Energy Crisis in 2050, Global Warming, Renewable Sources of Energy and Types of Geothermal Energy - Essay Example The researcher states that the crisis determines their survival, collapse or fate of prosperity. Some of the most respected economic, social and political setups have been twisted on their heads. In a sense, entrepreneurship is still the leading economic model. It is now, however, growing radically in response to resource scarcity, demographic trends, ecological impacts, technology plus a host of other reasons. The continuous consumer tradition that was widespread all of the first world has all but fallen. It is now reinstated by the people’s societal need to preserve resources. Although there are still several wealthy individuals around, money is concentrated in the lessening higher class of people. By 2050, customary free-market entrepreneurship is mostly viewed as a wrecked system. In an environmental view, carbon discharges from previous decades remain kept away in storage tanks because of the high carbon tax. This belated reaction will persist to change climate stability and weather patterns, as will the constant destruction of the earth's rainforests, some of which are transitioning from carbon sinks to carbon sources. Almost half of the Amazon rainforest has been destroyed. Global warming refers to the increasing normal temperature of the land and oceans as from the late 19th century as well as its estimated prolongation. As from the early 20th century, the earth standard ground temperature has gone up by about 0.8 Â °C (1.4 Â °F). This is with two-thirds of the growth happening since 1980. Warming of the atmosphere is clear. Scientists are more than 80% sure that nearly all of it is attributable to increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases produced by human actions. Such actions are the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation. These findings are documented by the National Science Academies located in all leading industrialized countries.