Deck 1: Goals and Governance of the Firm

Question 1

Ethical decision making in business can be viewed as a long-term investment in reputation.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Maximizing profits is the same as maximizing the value of the firm.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

The liability of sole proprietors is limited to the amount of their investment in the company.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

The agency problem is mitigated in practice through several devices.

Question 5

General partners have limited personal liability for business debts in a limited partnership.

Question 6

As your firm grows,you may decide to form a corporation.You may incorporate your firm federally,under the Canadian Business Corporation Act,or provincially,under the relevant provincial laws.

Question 7

The primary goal of any company should be to maximize current period profit.

Question 8

Managers are spurred on by incentive schemes that provide big returns if shareholders gain but are valueless if they do not.

Question 9

A major disadvantage of partnerships is that they have "double taxation" of profits.

Question 10

To obtain the necessary money a company sells financial assets or securities.

Question 11

In which of the following organizations would the existence of agency problems be least likely?

A) a sole proprietorship
B) a partnership
C) a corporation
D) a closely held corporation

Question 12

Managers are subject to the scrutiny of specialists.Their actions are monitored by the security analyst who advises investors to buy,hold,or sell the company's shares.

Question 13

Which of the following represents a financing decision?

A) a decision to borrow $10 million through a bank loan.
B) a decision to invest in the common stock of another corporation.
C) a decision to buy a new mainframe computer.
D) a decision to pay $1 million of accounts payable.

Question 14

A successful investment is one that increases the value of the firm.

Question 15

The duties of a corporate controller typically include the preparation of financial statements.

Question 16

Agency problems act as a hindrance to the goal of maximizing firm value.

Question 17

Capital budgeting decisions are used to determine how to raise the cash necessary for investments.

Question 18

The corporate form of business organization is often accompanied by separation of ownership and management.

Question 19

If employee compensation plans are not designed properly,they can create incentives for errant behaviour by management.

Question 20

Poorly performing companies are also more likely to be taken over by another firm.After the takeover,the old management team may find itself out on the street.

Question 21

Which of the following statements best distinguishes the difference between real and financial assets?

A) real assets have less value than financial assets.
B) real assets are tangible; financial assets are not.
C) financial assets represent claims to income that are generated by real assets.
D) financial assets appreciate in value; real assets depreciate in value.

Question 22

For small firms,shareholders and management may be one and the same.But for large companies,separation of ownership and management is:

A) a practical necessity.
B) not a necessity.
C) a liability.
D) a fraudulent move.

Question 23

A firm decides to pay for a small investment project through a $1 million increase in short-term bank loans.This is best described as an example of a(n):

A) financing decision.
B) investment decision.
C) capital budgeting decision.
D) capital market decision.

Question 24

In a large corporation,budget preparation would most likely be conducted by the:

A) treasurer.
B) controller.
C) chief financial officer.
D) financial manager.

Question 25

Which of the following is least likely to represent an agency problem?

A) lavish spending on expense accounts.
B) plush remodeling of the executive suite.
C) excessive investment in "safe" projects.
D) executive incentive compensation plans.

Question 26

Which of the following groups is least likely to be considered a stakeholder of the firm?

A) government
B) bondholders
C) competitors
D) employees

Question 27

The short-term decisions of financial managers are comprised of:

A) capital structure decisions.
B) investment decisions.
C) financing decisions.
D) both investment and financing decisions.

Question 28

One continuing problem with managerial incentive-compensation plans is that:

A) the plans increase agency problems.
B) managers prefer guaranteed salaries.
C) effectiveness of the plans is difficult to evaluate.
D) the plans do not reward shareholders.

Question 29

In a partnership form of organization,income tax liability,if any,is incurred by:

A) the partnership itself.
B) the partners individually.
C) Both the partnership and the partners.
D) Neither the partnership nor the partners.

Question 30

Which of the following is not an advantage to incorporating a business?

A) easier access to financial markets.
B) limited liability.
C) becoming a permanent legal entity.
D) profits taxed at the corporate level and the shareholder level.

Question 31

In a firm having both a treasurer and a controller,which of the following would most likely be handled by the controller?

A) internal auditing
B) credit management
C) banking relationships
D) insurance

Question 32

Which of the following would correctly differentiate general partners from limited partners in a limited partnership?

A) general partners have more job experience.
B) general partners have an ownership interest.
C) general partners are subject to double taxation.
D) general partners have unlimited personal liability.

Question 33

When managers' compensation plans are tied in a meaningful manner to the profits of the firm,agency problems:

A) can be reduced.
B) will be created.
C) are shifted to other stakeholders.
D) are eliminated entirely from the firm.

Question 34

Which of the following would be considered an advantage of the sole proprietorship form of organization?

A) wide access to capital markets
B) unlimited liability
C) a pool of expertise
D) profits taxed at only one level

Question 35

In the case of a professional corporation,________ has/have limited liability.

A) only the professionals
B) only the business
C) Both the professionals and the business
D) Neither the professionals nor the business

Question 36

Which of the following would not be considered a real asset?

A) a corporate bond
B) a machine
C) a patent
D) a factory

Question 37

Which of the firm's financial managers is most likely to be involved with obtaining financing for the firm?

A) treasurer
B) controller
C) chief executive officer
D) board of directors

Question 38

What are the two critical decisions that have to be made by the financial manager?

A) investment and financing.
B) short term and long term.
C) debt and equity.
D) All of the choices are correct.

Question 39

Profit-sharing plans may be beneficial when used to:

A) reduce the impact of corporate income taxes.
B) improve managers' incentives for effective decision making.
C) divert financial resources from shareholders.
D) reduce the payment of cash dividends.

Question 40

Sole proprietorships resolve the issue of agency problems by:

A) avoiding excessive expense accounts.
B) discharging those who violate the rules.
C) allowing owners to share the cost of their actions with others.
D) forcing owners to bear the full cost of their actions.

Question 41

Firms can alter their capital structure by:

A) not accepting any capital budgeting projects.
B) investing in non-tangible assets.
C) issuing stock to repay debt.
D) becoming a limited liability company.

Question 42

One common reason for partnerships to convert to a corporate form of organization is that the partnership:

A) faces rapidly growing financing requirements.
B) wishes to avoid double taxation of profits.
C) has issued all of its allotted shares.
D) agreement expires after ten years of use.

Question 43

When a corporation decides to issue long-term debt in order to pay for the acquisition of real assets,it has made a:

A) capital budgeting decision.
B) financing decision.
C) money market decision.
D) secondary market decision.

Question 44

The overall goal of capital budgeting projects should be to:

A) decrease the firm's reliance upon debt.
B) increase the firm's sales.
C) increase the firm's outstanding shares of stock.
D) increase the wealth of the firm's shareholders.

Question 45

Which of the following appears to be the most appropriate goal for corporate management?

A) maximizing market value of the company's shares.
B) maximizing the company's market share.
C) maximizing the current profits of the company.
D) minimizing the company's liabilities.

Question 46

Which of the following is correct regarding board membership in a corporation?

A) all corporations have board of directors.
B) in a private corporation, shareholders are also board members.
C) in a public corporation, shareholders are not board members.
D) All of the choices are correct.

Question 47

When the management of a business is conducted by individuals other than the owners,the business is more likely to be a:

A) corporation.
B) sole proprietorship.
C) partnership.
D) general partner.

Question 48

The legal "life" of a corporation is:

A) coincident with that of its CEO.
B) equal to the life of the board of directors.
C) permanent, as long as shareholders don't change.
D) permanent, regardless of current ownership.

Question 49

Ethical decision making by management has a payoff for shareholders in terms of:

A) improved capital structure.
B) enhanced reputation value.
C) increased managerial benefits.
D) higher dividend payments.

Question 50

One corporate activity that is specifically reserved for the board of directors is the:

A) declaration of dividends.
B) custody of records.
C) preparation of budgets.
D) day-to-day operation of the firm.

Question 51

The primary goal of corporate management should be to:

A) maximize the number of shareholders.
B) maximize the firm's profit.
C) minimize the firm's costs.
D) maximize the shareholders' wealth.

Question 52

Ethical decision making in business:

A) reduces the firm's profits.
B) requires adherence to implied rules as well as written rules.
C) is not in the best interests of shareholders.
D) is less important than good capital budgeting decisions.

Question 53

How may a reduction in cash dividends be in the best interests of current shareholders?

A) dividends are taxed at twice the rate of other gains.
B) the firm will have available cash to increase current investment and future profits.
C) reduced dividends increase managerial compensation, thus increasing their motivation.
D) a reduction of cash dividends cannot be in the best interests of current shareholders.

Question 54

A corporation is considered to be closely held when:

A) only a few shareholders exist.
B) the market value of the shares is stable.
C) it operates in a small geographic area.
D) management also serves as the board of directors.

Question 55

The best criterion for success in a capital budgeting decision would be to:

A) minimize the cost of the investment.
B) maximize the number of capital budgeting projects.
C) maximize the difference between cash inflows and cost.
D) finance all capital budgeting projects with debt.

Question 56

A managerial objective to increase market share is more likely to be successful in the long run if the firm is:

A) selling shares in the secondary market.
B) the low-cost producer in the industry.
C) managed by the board of directors.
D) investing in capital budgeting projects.

Question 57

By organizing itself as a corporation,a business may be able to attract:

A) investors.
B) partners.
C) proprietors.
D) agents.

Question 58

A corporation's board of directors:

A) is selected by and can be removed by management.
B) can be voted out of power by the shareholders.
C) has a lifetime appointment to the board.
D) is selected by a vote of all corporate stakeholders.

Question 59

A corporate board of directors should provide support for the top management team:

A) under all circumstances.
B) in all decisions related to cash dividends.
C) only when the board has confidence in management's actions.
D) if shareholders are pleased with the firm's performance.

Question 60

"Double taxation" refers to:

A) all partners paying equal taxes on profits.
B) corporations paying taxes on both dividends and retained earnings.
C) paying taxes on profits at the corporate level and on dividends at the personal level.
D) the fact that marginal tax rates are doubled for corporations.

Question 61

The term "corporate stakeholder" typically refers to:

A) a company's customers.
B) anyone with a financial interest in the firm.
C) the equity holders of the firm.
D) the management and board of directors of the firm.

Question 62

The financial manager has to determine a value to uncertain cash flows.The variables involved in this determination are:

A) amount
B) timing
C) risk
D) All of the choices are correct.

Question 63

An example of a firm's financing decision would include:

A) acquisition of a competitive firm.
B) how much to pay for a specific asset.
C) the issuance of ten-year versus twenty-year bonds.
D) whether or not to increase the price of its products.

Question 64

Corporate managers are expected to make corporate decisions that are in the best interest of:

A) top corporate management.
B) the corporation's board of directors.
C) the corporation's shareholders.
D) all corporate employees.

Question 65

Whom of the following is not a financial manager?

A) the treasurer.
B) the controller.
C) the chief financial officer (CFO).
D) the marketing manager.

Question 66

A first step in determining managerial objectives is to:

A) develop appropriate compensation policies.
B) eliminate agency problems.
C) serve the needs of the customer.
D) select an appropriate capital structure.

Question 67

When a corporation fails,the maximum that can be lost by an investor protected by limited liability is:

A) the amount of the initial investment.
B) the amount of the profit on the investment.
C) the amount necessary to pay the corporation's debts.
D) the amount of the investor's personal wealth.

Question 68

A board of directors is elected as a representative of the corporation's:

A) top management.
B) stakeholders.
C) shareholders.
D) customers.

Question 69

A corporation is characterized by:

A) a legal entity unto itself (may sue or be sued, engage in contracts, acquire property).
B) non-profitable.
C) sufficient funds to fulfill their needs.
D) simplicity of decision making.

Question 70

Which of the following is least likely to be discussed in the articles of incorporation?

A) the maximum number of shares that can be issued.
B) the purpose of the business.
C) the price range of the shares of stock.
D) the number of members of the board of directors.

Question 71

A chief financial officer would typically:

A) report to the treasurer, but supervise the controller.
B) report to the controller, but supervise the treasurer.
C) report to both the treasurer and controller.
D) supervise both the treasurer and controller.

Question 72

Corporations are referred to as public companies when their:

A) shareholders have no tax liability.
B) shares are held by the federal or state government.
C) shares are widely traded.
D) products or services are available to the public.

Question 73

Which of the following statements generally cannot be correct for an investor who faces unlimited liability on an investment?

A) the investor owns stock in the firm.
B) the investor has no partners.
C) the investor is subject to double taxation.
D) the investor is responsible for managing the firm.

Question 74

Agency problems can best be characterized as a:

A) dislike of firm's bondholders by its equity holders.
B) differing incentives between managers and owners.
C) spending corporate resources.
D) friction between the primary and secondary markets.

Question 75

The shareholders in a sole proprietorship are represented by:

A) the owner of the firm.
B) the general partner of the firm.
C) the board of directors of the firm.
D) no one; sole proprietorships have no shareholders.

Question 76

A common problem for closely held corporations is:

A) lack of access to substantial amounts of capital.
B) that shareholders receive only one vote each.
C) the separation of ownership and management.
D) an abundance of agency problems.

Question 77

Long-term financing arrangements occur in the:

A) money markets.
B) capital markets.
C) secondary markets.
D) primary markets.

Question 78

A manager's compensation plan that offers financial incentives for increases in quarterly profitability may create agency problems in that:

A) the managers are not motivated by personal gain.
B) the board of directors may claim the credit.
C) short-term, not long-term, profits become the focus.
D) investors desire stable profits.

Question 79

Which of the following would be considered a capital budgeting decision?

A) planning to issue common stock rather than issuing preferred stock
B) a decision to expand into a new line of products, at a cost of $5 million
C) repurchasing shares of common stock
D) issuing debt in the form of long-term bonds

Question 80

Unlimited liability is faced by the owners of:

A) corporations.
B) partnerships and corporations.
C) sole proprietorships and partnerships.
D) all forms of business organization.