1. Time value of money means money can grow over
time through interest earned.
2. Providing credit to customers is often necessary to
keep current customers happy and to attract new
customers. The problem with selling on credit is
that as much as 25% of the firm’s assets could be
tied up in accounts receivable. This forces the busi-
ness to use it own funds to pay for goods or ser-
vices sold to customers who bought on credit.
3. To attract customers a firm must purchase inventory
as well as invest in tangible long-term assets such as
land, buildings, and equipment, or intangible assets
such as patents, trademarks, and copyrights.
4. The primary difference between debt and equity fi-
nancing is that debt must be repaid at maturity,
while there is no obligation to repay equity financ-
ing. Interest must be paid on debt while the compa-
ny is under no obligation to issue dividends on eq-
uity financing. The interest paid is tax deductible
while dividends are not. Finally, debt holders do not
have the right to vote on company matters as equity
holders do.
Trade credit is the most common form of financing. The
terms 2/10 net 30 mean a firm can receive a 2% discount if
the bill is paid within 10 days. If it chooses not to take the
discount, the net amount is due in 30 days.