Financial Objectives

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How can different sources of funds help a business achieve its financial objective? Businesses usually have five main financial objectives. They are efficiency, growth, solvency, liquidity and profitability. Sourcing different sources of funds and interdependence with other key business functions (operations, marketing and human resources) is the way that businesses achieve these goals. It is important that these funds match their needs, for example, short-term funds to match short-term goals. Four businesses that have successfully used different sources of funding to achieve financial objectives are Hi Priority Plumbing, QANTAS, Woolworths and Ikea. A business needs to understand and recognise the five main financial targets in order…show more content…
This is where the business sells its accounts receivables to a business that specialises in debt collection. The debts will be put at a reduced amount by the factoring business, but the advantage is that it provides an injection of cash into the business with funds to continue operating and stops the problem turning into a solvency issue. Woolworths began using a factoring company to collect its accounts receivable at the start of 2015. This is a low-risk funding option for Woolworths and allows the business to meet its financial objective of liquidity. It saves the business time and effort involved in chasing debtors and allows management to focus on the prime function of grocery retailing, although it costs Woolworths a percentage of repayments to do this. Woolworths is able to meet its financial objective of efficiency and, overall, to maximise profitability in this way. Woolworths are struggling to maintain financial management strategies after it was reported on May 1st 2015 that they will be axing 400 jobs in order to save $500 million, although Woolworths are investing a lot of funds in the processes of financial management. This has occurred due to the change in petrol prices, high interest rates and exchange rates. Woolworths are determined that sacking 400 workers will achieve their financial objective in saving $500…show more content…
It does this because it means that it’s not using retained profits to purchase property as this will reduce access to ready funds. It also allows the business to move on quickly if the new market proves to be unprofitable. In addition, Ikea leases some of its equipment such as cash registers because it provides the business with the latest technology and remedial action if the machines have a problem. Through the use of leasing as a funding option, Ikea is able to increase profits, grow into new markets, remain liquid and solvent and use its assets efficiently, thereby meeting its financial
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