What are the common forms of

businesses, and what structure

makes the most sense for your
new small business?
Before you consult with a tax advisor or consultant you may want to
do some research yourself. One of your first decisions as a business
owner is what form of business you choose. This decision is very
important because it can affect how much you pay in taxes, the
amount of paperwork your business is required to do, the personal
liability you face and your ability to borrow money. Business
formation is controlled by the law of the state where your business is
organized.

The most common forms of businesses are:

 Sole Proprietorships
 Partnerships
 Corporations
 Limited Liability Companies (LLC)
 Subchapter S Corporations (S Corporations)

While state law controls the formation of your business, federal tax
law controls how your business is taxed. All businesses must file an
annual return. The form you use depends on how your business is
organized.

The answer to the question "What structure makes the most sense?"
depends on the individual circumstances of each business owner.
One form is not necessarily better than any other. Each business
owner must assess their own needs. Here is a brief look at the
various business forms.

Sole Proprietorship

A sole proprietorship is the most common form of business

organization. It's easy to form and offers complete control to the
owner. But the business owner is also personally liable for all
financial obligations and debts of the business.

As a sole proprietor you can operate any kind of business as long as

you are the only owner. It can be full-time or part-time work. This
includes operating a:

 Shop or retail trade business

 Large company with employees
 Home-based business
 One-person consulting firm

Every sole proprietor is required to keep sufficient records to comply

with federal tax requirements regarding business records.

Your net business income or loss is combined with your other

income (other income could be your salary if you also work for
someone else, or your investments) and deductions and taxed at
individual rates on your personal tax return.

Sole proprietors do not have taxes withheld from their business

income so you may need to make quarterly estimated tax payments.
You generally have to make estimated tax payments if you expect to
owe tax of $1,000 or more when you file your return. Use Form
1040-ES, Estimated Tax for Individuals, to figure and pay your
estimated tax.

Partnership

A partnership is the relationship existing between two or more

persons who join to carry on a trade or business. Each person
contributes money, property, labor or skill, and expects to share in
the profits and losses of the business.

Each partner reports his share of the partnership net profit or loss on
his personal tax return. Partners must report their share of
partnership income even if a distribution is not made.

Partners are not employees of the partnership and so taxes are not
withheld from any distributions. Like sole proprietors, they generally
need to make quarterly estimated tax payments if they expect to
make a profit.

Corporation

A corporate structure is more complex than other business structures.

It requires complying with more regulations and tax requirements.

Corporations are formed under the laws of each state and are subject
to corporate income tax at the federal and state level. In addition, any
earnings distributed to shareholders in the form of dividends are
taxed at the individual tax rates on their personal annual tax returns.

The corporation becomes an entity that handles the responsibilities

of the business. Like a person, the corporation can be taxed and can
be held legally liable for its actions. If you organize your business as
a corporation, you are generally not personally liable for the debts of
the corporation. (Exceptions may exist under state law.)

Limited Liability Company

A Limited Liability Company (LLC) is a relatively new business

structure allowed by state statute.

LLCs are popular because, similar to a corporation, owners have

limited personal liability for the debts and actions of the LLC. Other
features of LLCs are more like a partnership, providing management
flexibility and the benefit of pass-through taxation.

Owners of an LLC are called members. Since most states do not

restrict ownership, members may include individuals, corporations,
other LLCs and foreign entities. Most states also permit "single
member" LLCs, those having only one owner.

Subchapter S Corporation

The Subchapter S Corporation is a variation of the standard

corporation. The S corporation allows income or losses to be passed
through to individual tax returns, similar to a partnership.

Generally, an S corporation is exempt from federal income tax other

than tax on certain capital gains and passive income.

For more information about the types of businesses, enter "Choosing

a Business Structure" in the search box on the IRS website,
www.irs.gov.

Provided by:
This information provides a brief overview from the Internal
Revenue Service of issues and decisions involved in owning a
small business and avoiding common pitfalls.
There are 4 main types of business organization: sole proprietorship, partnership, corporation, and
Limited Liability Company, or LLC. Below, we give an explanation of each of these and how they are used
in the scope of business law

Types and Forms of Business

A business entity is an organization that uses economic resources or inputs to provide goods or
services to customers in exchange for money or other goods and services.

Business organizations come in different types and different forms of ownership.

3 Types of Business
There are three major types of businesses:

1. Service Business

A service type of business provides intangible products (products with no physical form). Service
type firms offer professional skills, expertise, advice, and other similar products.

Examples of service businesses are: salons, repair shops, schools, banks, accounting firms, and
law firms.

2. Merchandising Business

This type of business buys products at wholesale price and sells the same at retail price. They are
known as "buy and sell" businesses. They make profit by selling the products at prices higher
than their purchase costs.

A merchandising business sells a product without changing its form. Examples are: grocery
stores, convenience stores, distributors, and other resellers.

3. Manufacturing Business

Unlike a merchandising business, a manufacturing business buys products with the intention of
using them as materials in making a new product. Thus, there is a transformation of the products
purchased.

A manufacturing business combines raw materials, labor, and factory overhead in its production
process. The manufactured goods will then be sold to customers.

Hybrid Business
Hybrid businesses are companies that may be classified in more than one type of business. A
restaurant, for example, combines ingredients in making a fine meal (manufacturing), sells a cold
bottle of wine (merchandising), and fills customer orders (service).

Nonetheless, these companies may be classified according to their major business interest. In that
case, restaurants are more of the service type – they provide dining services.

Forms of Business Organization

These are the basic forms of business ownership:

1. Sole Proprietorship

A sole proprietorship is a business owned by only one person. It is easy to set-up and is the least
costly among all forms of ownership.

The owner faces unlimited liability; meaning, the creditors of the business may go after the
personal assets of the owner if the business cannot pay them.

The sole proprietorship form is usually adopted by small business entities.

2. Partnership

A partnership is a business owned by two or more persons who contribute resources into the
entity. The partners divide the profits of the business among themselves.

In general partnerships, all partners have unlimited liability. In limited partnerships, creditors
cannot go after the personal assets of the limited partners.

3. Corporation

A corporation is a business organization that has a separate legal personality from its owners.
Ownership in a stock corporation is represented by shares of stock.

The owners (stockholders) enjoy limited liability but have limited involvement in the company's
operations. The board of directors, an elected group from the stockholders, controls the activities
of the corporation.

In addition to those basic forms of business ownership, these are some other types of
organizations that are common today:

Limited Liability Company

Limited liability companies (LLCs) in the USA, are hybrid forms of business that have
characteristics of both a corporation and a partnership. An LLC is not incorporated; hence, it is
not considered a corporation.

Nonetheless, the owners enjoy limited liability like in a corporation. An LLC may elect to be
taxed as a sole proprietorship, a partnership, or a corporation.

Cooperative

A cooperative is a business organization owned by a group of individuals and is operated for

their mutual benefit. The persons making up the group are called members. Cooperatives may be
incorporated or unincorporated.

Some examples of cooperatives are: water and electricity (utility) cooperatives, cooperative
banking, credit unions, and housing cooperatives.

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The following points highlight the top three forms of organisations. The forms are: 1. The Sole
Proprietorship Concern 2. Partnership 3. Corporation.

Form # 1. The Sole Proprietorship Concern:

The sole proprietorship is the least complex form of business enterprise. This form of business is
owned by one individual who makes all the business decisions receives the profits that the
business earns, and bears the financial responsibility for losses.

ADVERTISEMENTS:

From this description, the simplicity of the individual proprietorship is apparent. Barring legal
restrictions any individual can simply decide to go into business except in areas of enterprise
where business licences are required. Such restrictions aside, the individual who has accumulated
or borrowed sufficient funds to set up a business can do so. No legal work is required to set up a
sole proprietorship, although the individual proprietor will often seek legal and accounting
advice.

Once in business, the proprietor is responsible for all business decisions. The owner determines
how many employees to hire, when they should be rewarded or penalised, what products to
produce, how they are to be marketed. The owner need not seek any one’s permission to make
such decisions. The basic limitation upon decision-making is that the owner must observe the
law and honour contracts. Otherwise, the owner is free to make wise or foolish decisions.

Advantages:

The first advantage of the sole proprietorship is that, decision-making authority is clear-cut; it
resides with the owner who need not consult anyone.

ADVERTISEMENTS:

The second advantage of the sole proprietorship is that the profits of the business enterprise are
taxed only once. The individual proprietor will receive any profits that the business earns after
meeting its expenses. The proprietor has to pay personal income taxes on these profits.

Disadvantages:
There are three basic disadvantages of the sole proprietorship:

1. Unlimited liability:

The first is that the owner must assume unlimited liability (responsibility) for the debts of the
company. The owner enjoys the profit of the business if it is successful, but if the business
suffers a loss, the owner is personally liable. If the company borrows money, purchases
materials, and incurs other bills that it cannot cover out of its revenues, the owner must
personally cover the losses. The owner stands to lose personal wealth accumulated over the years
in paying off the debts of the company.

ADVERTISEMENTS:

2. Limited capital:

The second disadvantage of the sole proprietorship is its limited ability to raise financial capital.
This limitation makes it difficult for sole proprietorships are small businesses. Financial capital
for the expansion of the company can be raised in several ways in the case of the sole
proprietorship. The owner can choose to flow profits back into business.

The owner can use the personal wealth to invest in the company, or the owner can borrow money
from relatives, friends, and lending institutions. The ability of the owner to borrow is determined
by the owner’s earning capacity (which will depend upon the success of the business) and
personal wealth.

Lending money to an individual proprietorship can be risky because the success of the business
depends very much on one person, and if that person dies or becomes incapacitated, the lender
will have to stand in the line with other creditors.

3. Non-permanence:

The third disadvantage is that the business will typically die with the owner. Since the firm does
not have a permanent existence, it may be difficult to find reliable employees. In fact, most em-
ployees prefer to work in firms that will exist for long and thus offer employees bright carrier
prospects.

Form # 2. Partnership:

A partnership is much like an individual proprietorship but with more than one owner.

A partnership is a business enterprise that is owned by two or more people (called partners) who
make all the business decisions, who share the profits of the business, and who bear the financial
responsibility for any losses.

Like the individual proprietorship, partnerships are easy to establish. Most partnerships are based
upon an agreement that spells out the ownership of shares and duties of each partner. The
partners may contribute different amounts of financial capital to the organisation; there may be
an agreement on the division of responsibility for running the business.

ADVERTISEMENTS:

One partner may make all the business decisions, while the other partner (a “silent partner”) may
simply provide financial capital. A partnership can be a corner petrol pump owned by three
friends or brothers or a nationally known law firm or brokerage house.

Advantages:

The advantages of partnerships are much like those of the sole proprietorship. Partnerships are
easy to set up. The profits of the company accrue to the partners and are taxed only once as
personal income.

1. Specialisation:

Unlike the sole proprietorship, however, there is a greater opportunity to specialise and divide
managerial responsibility because the partnership consists of two or more individuals. The
partner who is the better salesperson will be in charge of the sales department. The partner who
is a talented mechanical engineer will be in charge of production. “Two heads are better than
one”, when each has different talents that are useful to the business enterprise.

ADVERTISEMENTS:

2. Large capital base:

Second a partnership can raise more financial capital than a sole proprietorship because the
wealth and borrowing ability of more than one person can be mobilised. In fact, if a large
number of wealthy partners can be assembled, such partnership can indeed raise huge sums of
capital.

Disadvantages:

1. Limited capital:

The ability of the partnership to raise financial capital is limited by the amount of money the
partners can raise out of their personal wealth or from borrowing.

ADVERTISEMENTS:

2. Unlimited liability:

The partners have unlimited liability for the debts of the partnership. A business debt incurred by
any of the partners is the responsibility of the partnership. Each partner stands to lose personal
wealth if the company is a commercial failure. Clearly, a conflict in goals can arise because the
richer partner may be more risk-averse than the poorer partner.

3. Complicated decision-making process:

“Two heads are better than one” if the two heads agree. But, if partners fail to agree, decision-
making can become quite complicated. In a partnership where all partners are responsible for
management decisions, there is no longer one single person who is in charge. Partnerships can be
immobilised when partners disagree on a fundamental policy. Partnerships involve a more
complicated decision-making process that can become more complicated as the number of part-
ners grows.

ADVERTISEMENTS:

4. Instability:

Partnerships can also be unstable. If disagreement over policy causes one partner to withdraw
from the partnership, the partnership must be reorganised. When one partner dies, again the
partnership agreement must be renegotiated.

5. Great risk:

Finally, partnerships can involve a considerable risk for the individual partners. The sole
proprietor does bear unlimited liability for the debts of the company, but at least the owner is the
one who makes the business decision that may turn out to be bad. In case of partnership, each
partner is responsible for business debts incurred by another partner even if that partner acted
without the consent of the other partners.

For this reason partnerships are often made up of family members, close relatives, and close
personal friends, who have come to trust one another over the years Partnership with more
partners would have a greater ability to raise capital. However, because additional partners
complicate decision-making and increase the like-hood of an irresponsible act being committed
by a partner, many partnerships have a limited number of partners.

Form # 3. Corporation:

The corporation or the corporate form of business was set up to overcome some of the
disadvantages of the proprietorship and partnership.

A corporation is a form of business enterprise that is owned by a large number of shareholders.

The corporation has the legal status of a fictional individual and is authorised by law to act as a
single person. The shareholders elect a board of directors that appoints the management of the
corporation, usually headed by a president. Management is charged with the actual operation of
the corporation.
Unlike the sole proprietorship and partnerships that can be established with minimal paperwork,
a corporate charter is required to set up a corporation. The laws of each state are different, but
typically, for a fee, corporations can be established (incorporated) and can become legal
“persons” subject to the laws of that state.

According to state and Central laws, the corporation has the legal status of a fictional individual.
Officers of the corporation can act in the name of the corporation without being personally liable
for its debts. If corporate officers commit criminal acts, however, they can be prosecuted.

The corporation is owned by individuals (shareholders) who have purchased equity shares of
stock in the corporation. A shareholder’s share of ownership of the corporation will equal the
number of shares owned by that individual divided by the total number of shares outstanding
(owned by shareholders).

If a person owns 1,00,000 shares of PAL stock and there are 630 million PAL shares
outstanding, then the person would own only 0.016 per cent of PAL. Owners of shares of stock
have the right to vote for the board of directors and to vote on special referenda at the annual
meeting of the corporation.

The management of the corporation is required by law to issue periodic reports to its
shareholders describing the financial and business activities of the corporation during the
reporting period. The shareholders may cast their votes in person at the annual meeting (the
greater is the number of shares owned, the greater is the weight of the individual’s vote) or can
vote by proxy (that is, turn over voting privileges to the current management or to some other
group).

The shareholder who owns 1 percent of the stock of PAL will receive 1 per cent of the dividends;
the PAL management choose to pay to its shareholders out of profits. In the case of the sole
proprietorship and partnership, the owners decide what to do with the profits.

In the case of the corporate stockholder, the management determines what to do with the profits
of the corporation. The shareholder who does not approve of the way these profits are handled
can vote to change the current board of directors or sell the stock and buy some other asset.
Ordinary shares preference shares and convertible bonds are three types of corporate stock!

Ordinary shares confers voting privileges but no prior claim on dividends. Common stock
dividends are paid only if they are declared by the board of directors in any given year.

Preference shares confer a prior claim on dividends but no voting privileges. Dividends on
preference shares must be paid before paying dividends on ordinary shares but after meeting
interest obligations.

Convertible stock is a hybrid between a stock and a bond. The owner of convertible stock
receives fixed interest payments but has the privilege of converting the convertible stock into
ordinary share at a fixed rate of exchange.
Corporations often have thousands or millions of shares are typically owned by a large number
of stockholders. In the case of closely held corporations, the number of shareholders is limited
and each shareholder owns a substantial share of the corporation’s stock.

Unlike the sole proprietor or the partner, shareholders do not participate directly in the running of
the corporation unless they happen to own a substantial share of the outstanding stock.
Moreover, even if an effort was made to involve shareholders in corporate decision-making,
there would be too many of them they would be graphically dispersed, and they would be too
involved in their own business affairs.

For these reasons, there is usually a separation of ownership and management in the modern
corporation. The board of directors appoints a professional management team that makes
decisions for the corporation. The professional management team serves as agents for the
corporation.

As long as the corporation is run successfully, the management team is allowed to continue. If
the corporation falls on hard times, then the shareholders may vote out the current board of
directors or the board of directors itself may decide to bring in a new management team.

Statistical studies of modern corporations have demonstrated the magnitude of the separation of
ownership and management. Shareholders, however, can exercise substantial indirect control
over management by simply selling their shares. The sale of shares by a large number of
unhappy stockholders will depress the price of each share and invite possible takeovers by other
corporate teams.

Advantages:

1. Limited liability:

The first advantage of the corporation is limited liability. The owners of the corporation (the
shareholders) are not personally liable for the debts of the corporation. If a corporation incurs
debts that it cannot meet, its creditors will have claim to the assets of the corporation (its bank
accounts, equipment, supplies, buildings and real-estate holdings), but they cannot file claims
against the shareholders. The worst thing that can happen to shareholders is that the value of
their stock will decline (in extreme circumstances, it can become worthless).

2. Large capital base:

Limited liability contributes to a second advantage of the corporation. Corporation can raise
large sums of financial capital by selling corporate bonds, by issuing stock, and by borrowing
from public financial institutions.

3. Separate legal status:

The third advantage of the corporation follows from its status as a legal individual distinct from
the officers of the corporation. A change in the board of directors, the death or resignation of the
current president, or a transfer ownership could destroy a partnership or sole proprietorship, but
these events do not alter the legal status of the corporation.

The continuity of the corporation is a distinct advantage. Many major US corporations are more
than a century old. Few corporations have the same owners and officers that they had when the
corporations started their operations.

New shareholders can also be brought into the operation because they know that the existence of
the corporation is not dependent upon the individuals that currently run the corporation.
Continuity also makes it easier for the firm to hire a carrier-minded and talented labour force.

4. Separation of ownership from management:

The fourth advantage of the corporation follows from the separation of ownership and
management.

Because, the two functions are separated, professional managers who specialise in running
different parts of the corporation’s operations can be hired. Experience shows that the owners of
businesses (those individuals with money to invest) do not always make the best managers. In
the modern corporation, talented officers can be brought into the business who own little (or no)
capital to invest.

Disadvantages:

1. Double taxation:

The major disadvantage of the corporation is the double taxation of corporate income. The
profits (earnings) of the corporation can either be distributed to shareholders as dividends or kept
as retained earnings to be reinvested (ploughed back) in the corporation. The profits of the
corporation are subject to a Central income tax.

If the corporation chooses to plough back all profits into the company, corporate profits will be
taxed only once, but if it distributes some of its profits to shareholders in the form of dividends,
shareholders must pay personal income tax on these dividends. Corporate profits can, therefore,
be taxed twice, first by the corporate income tax and second by the personal income tax on
dividends.

The double taxation of corporate earnings is indeed a disadvantage, but the prevalence of the
corporate form of business enterprise suggests that the advantages of corporations (more
specifically limited liability) can compensate for double taxation.

2. Complexity:

A second disadvantage of the corporation is its complexity. A modern corporation can have
thousands or even millions of different owners (shareholders). Often ownership is so dispersed
that it is difficult to get the owners to agree (or even assemble), even when important issues are
at stake. Power struggles among shareholding groups can break out and paralyse decision-
making.

It is difficult to mobilise widely dispersed stockholders to get rid of incompetent management.

The costs of gathering information about the complex dealings of the corporation are high to
individual shareholders, who are often poorly informed about the corporation.

3. Conflicting objectives:

A third disadvantages of the corporation is the possibility of conflicting objectives between the
principals (the shareholders) and the agents (the corporation’s professional management team).
Share-holders are interested in maximising the long-run profits of the corporation (thereby
getting the best return from their shares of stock.) The professional management team may be
more interested in preserving their jobs or in maximising their personal income or perquisites
than in profit maximisation.

Related posts:

1. Difference between Joint Stock Company and Partnership

2. Corporate Governance and Social Responsibility of Business
3. Business Units: Top 5 Types of Business Units
4. 5 Types of Business Organization One Can Setup In India

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Objective

Students will be able to:

 Explain the three types of business organizations: sole proprietor, partnership and
corporation.
 Compare the costs and benefits of sole proprietorship, partnerships and corporations.

Standards

National Standards in Economics

State Standards

Common Core State Standards

Concepts
Entrepreneurs, Market Structures

In this economics lesson, students will learn about 3 types of business organizations using candy
companies.

Procedure

Warm-up

Show students a bag of M&Ms or Hershey’s kisses. Tell them the chocolate candy is a hint for
today’s less. Ask them to take out a sheet of paper and write down what they think the topic will
be and how it will relate to the candy. Have them write their names on their papers with their
predictions and hand them in.

After collecting their predictions, review their guesses and give the bag of candy as a reward to
the student with the closest correct answer. In case of a tie, divide the bag or have multiple bags
available. Tell students they will be learning about the U.S. “sweets” industry — more
specifically, some of the people and businesses that produce chocolate and chocolate-related
products.

Remind students that chocolate companies are a business, much like another business
firm. Regardless of size or the number of candies made, a business must have some type of
structure. In the U.S., the three types of business organizations are sole proprietorships,
partnerships, and corporations. Today’s lesson will use the chocolate candy industry to help
them understand the costs and benefits of each type of organization.

Modeling

Open the PowerPoint Slides and project them on a screen. Begin by reviewing slides 1-2 to
present the terms and concepts related to the benefits and costs of the three types of business
organizations: sole proprietorship, partnership, and corporations. See the notes section on each
slide for talking points and supporting information.

Group Activity

Divide students into four groups and assign each group one of the clients, which are all
confection businesses. Distribute copies of the Sweet Opportunities handout to each
group. Have the groups read the description of their assigned client and determine which type of
business organization their group would recommend. Students are required to list four reasons
for their recommendation – three that are benefits/advantages and one that is a
cost/disadvantage. With the cost, students should include a suggestion for how to overcome it or
minimize its impact on the candy maker’s business. Review the answers as a class and share the
names of the companies that were formed by these four entrepreneurs. Debrief the activity using
questions from the Sweet Opportunities Teacher’s Guide.

Individual Activity
Distribute a copy of the Types of Business Organizations to each student. The activity requires
students to examine seven key factors used in selecting a type of business organization. Have
students complete the activity by determining if the factors are costs or benefits to the three types
of business organizations. Review the answers as a class using the Types of Business
Organizations Answer Key.

Assessment

Review the list of factors to consider when selecting a business organization. Ask students if they
see any omissions or want to make any additions to the list. Have students circle the three factors
from the Types of Business Organizations worksheet that they think are most important things
for potential owners to consider when starting a business. Read the list of factors and have
students give a show of hands for the three they selected. The one with the most votes is the
class winner. Have students write one or two sentences on the back of their paper explaining the
importance of understanding these factors when selecting a business organization.

Extension

Activity 1

Have each group research what has happened to the founders and businesses featured in the case
studies and prepare a three-minute class presentation. Encourage students to use images as well
as text, such as a PowerPoint. Students must include answers to the following questions:

 What has happened to the founder of the business?

 Is he or she still involved with the company?
 What other things has he or she done?
 Who owns the business?
 How has the business changed?
 Has the company been involved in any mergers or acquisitions?
 What products does the company sell?
 If the business is incorporated, is it publicly or privately held?

If a group selects The Chocolate Farm in Englewood in CO, then have students research focus on
why the company closed.

Activity 2

Have students identify key businesses in their area or state. Have students research the
companies to determine their business structure. If students select a corporation, have students
categorize them as either publicly or privately-held.

Resources

Types of Business Organization

K - University grade
675 times
Other
72%average accuracy
3 years ago
smrblake
Edit
Live Game
Homework
Solo Game

24 QuestionsShow answers

 Question 1

60 seconds

Q. A person who takes a risk to produce goods and services

in search of profit -

answer choices

entrepreneur

magistrate

profiteer

baliff

 Question 2

60 seconds

Q. What kind of business is BEST described by these

statements?
I am the only owner of my business.
I take all the risks of doing business.
I keep all the profits.

answer choices

proprietorship

corporation
 partnership

cooperative

 Question 3

60 seconds

Q. An entrepreneur -

answer choices

enforces government regulations

takes the risk to earn profit

sets the interest rates at banks

manages financial investments

 Question 4

60 seconds

Q. In a corporation, owners share profit, but liability is

limited to -

answer choices

investment

distribution

theft

production

 Question 5

60 seconds

Q. A form of business organization that is authorized to act

as a legal entity regardless of the number of owners.

answer choices
 corporation

proprietorship

partnership

distributor

 Question 6

60 seconds

Q. What is a disadvantage of partnerships?

answer choices

ease of formation

owners share responsibilities

limited liability

possibility of personality conflict

 Question 7

60 seconds

Q. What is the advantage of corporations?

answer choices

minimal government regulation

limited liability

short life span

has one owner

 Question 8

60 seconds

Q. The Dow Jones industrial average swept past 12,000 for

the first time. Investors are increasingly optimistic about
 corporate earnings and the economy.
This achievement MOST likely involved which type of
business organization?

answer choices

proprietorship

partnership

corporation

conglomerate

 Question 9

60 seconds

Q. In which type of organization does one person take all

the risks?

answer choices

corporation

partnership

monopoly

proprietorship

 Question 10

60 seconds

Q. Floral Shops, Bookstores, Farms are examples of what

type business

answer choices

Sole Proprietorship

Corporation

Franchise
 Multinational Corporation

 Question 11

60 seconds

Q. Easy to start, Owner is his/her own boss, Owner keeps

all the profits - These are advantages of what type of
business

answer choices

Franchise

Corporation

Parntership

Sole Proprietorship

 Question 12

60 seconds

Q. Which ownership type has unlimited liability (owner has

full responsibility for company's debt and can lose entire
investment as well as personal assets).

answer choices

Partnership

Franchise

Corporation

Sole Proprietorship

 Question 13

60 seconds

Q. What type of business consists of two or more people?

answer choices
 Sole Proprietorship

Partnership

Corporation

Franchise

 Question 14

60 seconds

Q. Which are the disadvantages of a partnership?

answer choices

Partnership must be reorganized if one partner quits

Partners share unlimited liability

Partners may not get along

All of these are correct

 Question 15

60 seconds

Q. Law firms, medical practices, and auto body repair

shops are examples of what type of ownership

answer choices

sole proprietorship

partnership

franchise

corporation

 Question 16

60 seconds
 Q. What type of business structure is owned by many
people?

answer choices

corporation

partnership

sole proprietorship

 Question 17

60 seconds

Q. Corporations do NOT continue when stockholders sell

stock.

answer choices

True

False

 Question 18

60 seconds

Q. Nike, IBM, and Google are examples of

answer choices

partnership

franchise

corporation

partnership

 Question 19

60 seconds

Q. Business owned by one person

 answer choices

partnership

franchise

sole proprietorship

corporation

 Question 20

60 seconds

Q. Which is NOT a basic type of business ownership?

answer choices

proprietorship

partnership

corporation

retail

 Question 21

60 seconds

Q. Who plays an important role in all three business

organizations?

answer choices

Governors

Presidents

Entrepreneurs

Magistrates

 Question 22

60 seconds
 Q. A form of business organization with one owner who
takes all the risks and all the profit is called -

answer choices

partnership

proprietorship

corporation

governorship

 Question 23

60 seconds

Q. A form of business organization with two or more

owners who share the risks and the profits -

answer choices

proprietorship

corporation

wholesale

partnership

 Question 24

60 seconds

Q. Owned by many people - stockholders, but treated by

the law as one person

answer choices

Sole Proprietorship

Franchise

Partnership

Corporation
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