Introduction To Finance
Introduction To Finance
FINANCE
MEANING, NATURE AND
SCOPE OF FINANCE
Finance may be defined as the art and science of managing money. It includes
financial service and financial instruments. Finance also is referred as the provision
of money at the time when it is needed. Finance function is the procurement of funds
and their effective utilization in business concerns.
The concept of finance includes capital, funds, money, and amount. But each word is
having unique meaning. Studying and understanding the concept of finance become
an important part of the business concern.
DEFINITION
Howard and Upton: Financial management “as an application of general
managerial Principles to the area of financial decision-making.
Weston and Brigham: Financial management “is an area of financial decision-
making harmonizing individual motives and enterprise goals”.
Josheph and Massie: Financial management “is the operational activity of a
business that is responsible for obtaining and effectively utilizing the funds
necessary for efficient operations.
Thus, Financial Management is mainly concerned with the effective funds management
in the business. In simple words, Financial Management as practiced by business firms
can be called as Corporation Finance or Business Finance.
Definition: "Financial management involves planning, organizing, directing, and
controlling an organization's financial resources to achieve its goals efficiently and
effectively."
OBJECTIVES
Effective procurement and efficient use of finance lead to proper utilization of the
finance of the business concern. It is the essential part of the financial manager.
Hence, the financial manager must determine the basic objectives of the financial
management.
Objectives of Financial Management may be broadly divided into two parts such as:
Profit maximization
Wealth maximization
PROFIT MAXIMIZATION
Favourable Arguments for Profit Maximization
(i) Main aim is earning profit.
(ii) Profit is the parameter of the business operation.
(iii) Profit reduces risk of the business concern.
(iv) Profit is the main source of finance.
(v) Profitability meets the social needs also.
Unfavourable Arguments for Profit Maximization
3. It ignores risk
WEALTH MAXIMIZATION
Favorable Arguments for Wealth Maximization
(i) Wealth maximization is superior to the profit maximization
(ii) Wealth maximization considers the comparison of the value to cost associated
with the business concern
(iii) Wealth maximization considers both time and risk of the business concern.
(iv) Wealth maximization provides efficient allocation of resources.
(v) It ensures the economic interest of the society.
Unfavorable Arguments for Wealth Maximization
(i) Wealth maximization leads to prescriptive idea of the business concern but it may
not be suitable to present day business activities.
(ii) Wealth maximization is nothing, it is also profit maximization, it is the indirect
name of the profit maximization.
(iii) Wealth maximization creates ownership-management controversy.
(iv) Management alone enjoy certain benefits.
(v) The ultimate aim of the wealth maximization objectives is to maximize the profit.
(vi) Wealth maximization can be activated only with the help of the profitable
position of the business concern
Finance function is one of the major parts of business organization, which involves
the permanent and continuous process of the business concern. Finance is one of the
interrelated functions which deal with personal function, marketing function,
production function and research and development activities of the business concern.
Deciding the proper financial function is the essential and ultimate goal of the
business organization. Finance manager is one of the important role players in the
field of finance function. He must have entire knowledge in the area of accounting,
finance, economics and management. His position is highly critical and analytical to
solve various problems related to finance. A person who deals finance related
activities may be called finance manager.
RELATIONSHIP OF FINANCE WITH OTHER
DEPARTMENTS