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Forms of Organizing Business
There are three forms of organization of your business.
These forms are the sole proprietorship, the partnership and
the corporation. Which of these forms of organization you
choose depends on such questions
as the size of your business,
whether you are the only owner of your business or you have
partners.
Sole Proprietorship. A sole proprietorship is the simplest
organizational form. There is one owner of the business, who
usually takes the title of President.
So he or she can make any
decision without consulting anyone. Such kinds of business are
in the service industries, such as repairing shops, restaurants,
etc.
Partnership. A partnership means that there is more than one
owner to carry out business. And each partner declares his or her
share of profit or loss on the personal income tax return.
There is
a special type of partnership, called a limited
partnership, where the limited partner is not involved in the
management of the firm.
This form of organization is useful in such professional fields as
law, insurance,
and some industries, for example, oil prospecting.
But partnership has some disadvantages. Partnership business
fails when one of the partners loses his interest or disagrees with
the other.
Corporation. A corporation is a more formal way of
organization. It is established for the purpose
of making profit and
operated by managers. Corporation involves registration with a
state department of commerce. There are some advantages, such
as being able to attract financial resources, and to attract talented
specialists and managers due to high salaries.
In general, this form
is economically better for business when its profit reaches a great
sum of money.