Advantages and disadvantages of sources of finance - Sources of finance - Eduqas - GCSE Business Revision - Eduqas - BBC Bitesize (2024)

The advantages and disadvantages of the different sources of finance

Source of financeAdvantagesDisadvantages
Owners capital
  • quick and convenient
  • doesn’t require borrowing money
  • no interest payments to make
  • the owner might not have enough savings or may need the cash for personal use
  • once the money is gone, it’s gone
Retained profits
  • quick and convenient
  • easy access to the money
  • no interest payments to make
  • once the money is gone, it is not available for any future unforeseen problems the business might face
Selling assets
  • can create space for more profitable uses
  • can be quick
  • raise money from unused equipment
  • might not get the full market value of the assets or even be able to sell them at all
  • might need the assets in the future
Family and friends
  • low interest
  • money may not need to be paid back
  • money may be lost if the business fails
  • arguments may occur between family members
Bank loan
  • easy and quick to access
  • can get a significant amount of money at one time
  • have to pay interest
  • difficult for a new business to access
Overdraft
  • quick access
  • allows emergency purchases
  • high interest rates
  • is only a short term solution
Venture capitalists and business angels
  • gain money quickly
  • potential to raise huge amount of money
  • they may offer advice and help
  • owner must give away part of the business
  • they may have a different vision for the business than the owner does
New partners
  • easy way to gain money
  • potential to raise huge amount of money
  • they may offer advice and help
  • owner must give away part of the business
  • they may have a different vision for the business than the owner does
Share issue
  • can gain lots of money quickly
  • no interest payable
  • give away part of the business
  • leaves a business open to takeovers
  • shareholders receive dividends
Trade credit
  • access to supplies without immediate payment
  • no interest
  • short term, must be paid off quickly
  • usually small amounts
Leasing
  • no large upfront payments
  • leasing company may be responsible for repairs and maintenance
  • over time it can be a more expensive way to obtain assets
  • assets aren’t owned by the business
Hire purchase
  • expensive assets can be purchased and paid back over time
  • interest is charged on hire purchase items
  • equipment is not owned until the final payment is made
Government grants
  • does not need to be paid back
  • available to small businesses
  • business needs to meet certain criteria
  • it is time-consuming to apply for grants and to complete the paperwork
Source of financeOwners capital
Advantages
  • quick and convenient
  • doesn’t require borrowing money
  • no interest payments to make
Disadvantages
  • the owner might not have enough savings or may need the cash for personal use
  • once the money is gone, it’s gone
Source of financeRetained profits
Advantages
  • quick and convenient
  • easy access to the money
  • no interest payments to make
Disadvantages
  • once the money is gone, it is not available for any future unforeseen problems the business might face
Source of financeSelling assets
Advantages
  • can create space for more profitable uses
  • can be quick
  • raise money from unused equipment
Disadvantages
  • might not get the full market value of the assets or even be able to sell them at all
  • might need the assets in the future
Source of financeFamily and friends
Advantages
  • low interest
  • money may not need to be paid back
Disadvantages
  • money may be lost if the business fails
  • arguments may occur between family members
Source of financeBank loan
Advantages
  • easy and quick to access
  • can get a significant amount of money at one time
Disadvantages
  • have to pay interest
  • difficult for a new business to access
Source of financeOverdraft
Advantages
  • quick access
  • allows emergency purchases
Disadvantages
  • high interest rates
  • is only a short term solution
Source of financeVenture capitalists and business angels
Advantages
  • gain money quickly
  • potential to raise huge amount of money
  • they may offer advice and help
Disadvantages
  • owner must give away part of the business
  • they may have a different vision for the business than the owner does
Source of financeNew partners
Advantages
  • easy way to gain money
  • potential to raise huge amount of money
  • they may offer advice and help
Disadvantages
  • owner must give away part of the business
  • they may have a different vision for the business than the owner does
Source of financeShare issue
Advantages
  • can gain lots of money quickly
  • no interest payable
Disadvantages
  • give away part of the business
  • leaves a business open to takeovers
  • shareholders receive dividends
Source of financeTrade credit
Advantages
  • access to supplies without immediate payment
  • no interest
Disadvantages
  • short term, must be paid off quickly
  • usually small amounts
Source of financeLeasing
Advantages
  • no large upfront payments
  • leasing company may be responsible for repairs and maintenance
Disadvantages
  • over time it can be a more expensive way to obtain assets
  • assets aren’t owned by the business
Source of financeHire purchase
Advantages
  • expensive assets can be purchased and paid back over time
Disadvantages
  • interest is charged on hire purchase items
  • equipment is not owned until the final payment is made
Source of financeGovernment grants
Advantages
  • does not need to be paid back
  • available to small businesses
Disadvantages
  • business needs to meet certain criteria
  • it is time-consuming to apply for grants and to complete the paperwork
Advantages and disadvantages of sources of finance - Sources of finance - Eduqas - GCSE Business Revision - Eduqas - BBC Bitesize (2024)

FAQs

What are the sources of finance and their advantages and disadvantages? ›

The advantages and disadvantages of the different sources of finance
Source of financeAdvantages
Share issuecan gain lots of money quickly no interest payable
Trade creditaccess to supplies without immediate payment no interest
Leasingno large upfront payments leasing company may be responsible for repairs and maintenance
10 more rows

What are the advantages and disadvantages of internal sourcing of finance? ›

The advantages of internal sources of finance are low costs, retention of control and ownership, no approvals needed, and no legal obligations. The disadvantages of internal sources of finance are the limited amount of finance and constricted number of options.

What is trade credit BBC bitesize? ›

Trade credit

with them. This source of finance allows a business to obtain raw materials and stock but pay for them at a later date. The payment is usually made once the business has had an opportunity to convert the raw materials and stock into products, sell them to its own customers, and receive payment.

What is retained profit BBC bitesize? ›

Retained profit is profit that has been made by the business in previous years that is then reinvested back into the company. Advantages. Disadvantages. Does not need to be repaid. For profits to build up to use in this way can take too long and good business opportunities missed.

What are 5 disadvantages of using a financial institution? ›

Disadvantages of Financial Institutions
  • Complex and Lengthy Process. These organizations follow strict guidelines for giving loans since they must meet government standards. ...
  • Security Deposit. ...
  • Hidden Risk Involved. ...
  • Limitation on the Borrower. ...
  • Wrapping It Up.
Jan 23, 2024

What are the disadvantages of finance? ›

Disadvantages
  • Qualification requirements. You need a good enough credit rating to receive financing.
  • Discipline. You'll need to have the financial discipline to make repayments on time. ...
  • Collateral. By agreeing to provide collateral to the lender, you could put some business assets at potential risk.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of short term sources of finance? ›

Key takeaways:
  • Short term loans offer quick access to cash and may be available to those with poor credit history.
  • Interest rates on a short term loan are typically higher than on long-term loan and could lead to higher total interest paid.
  • Relying on short term loans as revolving credit could lead to a debt spiral.
Aug 16, 2023

What are the advantages and disadvantages of external sources? ›

Advantages and disadvantages of external sources of finance summary
AdvantagesDisadvantages
Possibility to expand the businessHigher interest costs
Flexibility in business strategyDecreased control over the company (loss of ownership)
Diversification of riskDebt obligations

What are the advantages and disadvantages of trade finance? ›

In conclusion, trade credit offers several advantages, such as improved cash flow management, flexibility in payment terms, and the preservation of working capital. However, it also comes with disadvantages, including interest costs, reduced negotiating power, and potential strains on supplier relationships.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of bank loans as a source of finance? ›

Interest rates on bank loans are usually lower than that in other financing methods (e.g. inventory and invoice financing). Bank loan applications require collection and submission of lots of paperwork. The process could be taxing and time-consuming.

What are the advantages of sources of finance? ›

Advantages of external sources of finances

As such, external sources of finance could help to speed up your growth, acquire new equipment, purchase property, support uneven cash flow, release equity, fund marketing campaigns, replenish supplies, provide emergency relief and much more.

What are the disadvantages of internal sources of finance? ›

What are the Disadvantages of Internal Financing? A common misconception is that your internal sources of financing, particularly your retained earnings, are free sources of capital. That is not true. All businesses have obligations to return wealth to their investors.

What are the advantages of using retained profit as a source of finance GCSE? ›

Retained earnings are an easy source of financing

Hence, when your business keeps its retained profits, it builds a safety net by providing liquidity for low revenue situations. During any emergency condition, your business would have funds to keep operations on and make basic payments.

What are sources of finance? ›

A source or sources of finance, refer to where a business gets money from to fund their business activities. A business can gain finance from either internal or external sources.

What is the financial advantage disadvantage? ›

Financial advantage (disadvantage) refers to the incremental profit or loss, a company will earn in situations like acceptance of a special order, dropping off a business line, etc. It is calculated by only considering the relevant costs.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of financial statements? ›

  • Advantage: The Ability to Detect Patterns. Financial statements reveal how much a company earns per year in sales. ...
  • Advantage: A Chance to Budget Outline. ...
  • Disadvantage: Based on Market Patterns. ...
  • Disadvantage: At-One-Time Analysis.

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