Debt vs Equity When Starting a Business

674 Words2 Pages

When starting a business an important question arises, how to finance the company. The steady economic growth combined with low interest rates has produced a lot of liquidity in debt and equity markets. For example, in 2005, non-financial corporate business borrowing increased dramatically to $289 billion, compared to the mere $174 billion it was in 2004 and the $85 billion it was in 2003 (Chung). The outcome of using only debt financing or only equity financing is mostly direct. Businesses run ino the issue when a company’s finance requires both debt and equity characteristics, changing the tax effects greatly (Hanke).

Thesis: Businesses deem financing necessary when they are just beginning, expanding, or recovering; Debt financing and equity financning have many advantages and disadvantages but also change the entire accounting method that is to be considered while running the business.
Debt financing has both advantages and disadvantages. Debt financing is a business’ way to start up, expand, or recover by borrowing money from a preson or company. The money borrowed has to be paid back along with the interest that was accrued during the length of time the loan was carried out. This option is great for company’s that do not want investors. Debt financing is beneficial because the loaners do not often get involved with the company or any decision making within the company. The downfall is the risk that is assumed with the debt which is, the company may not be able to pay back the loaner. In that case, the loaner would go after the owner or partner personally. There are many forms of debt a company is allowed to take on, such as ‘venture’ debt, even if they are a high-risk corporation. ‘Venture’ debt is a form of senior debt ...

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...es almost zero involvement by the loaner. Equity financing is an exchange of an asset for stock between owner or partner and investor. A repayment is not required but involvement of the investor is which has some benefits and only a few drawbacks. Depending on which option the company chooses to use, the accounting can be different in a few different ways. Equity requires capital contributions and dividends to be distributed while debt financing requires note receivables, note payables, and any accrued interest. Companies have more options than before; the small, medium and big corporations. Businesses usually fiannce when expanding, recovering, or starting up; Debt financing and equity financing both have many advantages and disadvantages along with a variance in accounting methods that should be considered when a business is attempting to make a finance decision.

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