Three Friends Have Just Graduated Each With A Bmgt Degree

Three Friends Have Just Graduated Each With A Bmgt Degree One Want

Three friends have just graduated, each with a B.Mgt. degree. One wants to start a restaurant, another wants to work as a subcontractor in a building trade, and the third aims to establish a firm providing financial services including insurance, financial planning, and bookkeeping with a few other graduates. The assignment asks for the recommended business organization for each friend and the reasoning behind each choice.

Paper For Above instruction

Starting a new business requires careful consideration of the most appropriate legal structure to align with the entrepreneurs' objectives, liability considerations, tax implications, and operational flexibility. Each of the three friends has different business aspirations, which influence the most suitable form of business organization.

Friend 1: Starting a Restaurant

The first friend plans to start a restaurant, a venture characterized by high startup costs, substantial liability exposure, and a need for operational flexibility. Given these factors, a Limited Liability Company (LLC) would be a highly suitable choice. An LLC combines the liability protection of a corporation with the tax benefits and operational flexibility of a partnership. It allows the owner to shield personal assets from business debts and legal liabilities, which is particularly important in the foodservice industry where liabilities due to accidents, food safety issues, or employment disputes can be significant (Klein, 2018). Moreover, an LLC offers pass-through taxation, avoiding double taxation that corporations face, which benefits a small business owner concerned with manageable tax obligations (LaJeunesse, 2019). Alternatively, if the restaurant plans to expand rapidly or seek outside investors, forming a corporation—such as an S-corp—might also be advantageous for issuing stock and raising capital, though with higher regulatory requirements (Mancuso, 2020).

Friend 2: Working as a Subcontractor in a Building Trade

The second friend aspires to work as a subcontractor in the building trade, a field often marked by project-based work, liability concerns, and the necessity for professional and licensing requirements. For this peer, a sole proprietorship might be the simplest initial form, providing ease of establishment and operational control (Sullivan & Sheffrin, 2018). However, given the liability exposure inherent in construction work, forming a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) or an LLC could better protect personal assets from legal claims for property damage, injuries, or contractual disputes. An LLP is particularly suitable if the friend plans to collaborate with other contractors, as it offers liability protection and tax advantages while allowing flexible partnership arrangements (Baxter, 2017). An LLC may still be preferable for single ownership or small teams because it provides similar liability protections with minimal administrative complexity (Brum, 2019). The choice depends on the scale of operations and long-term planning but primarily prioritizes liability shielding and operational ease.

Friend 3: Providing Financial Services

The third friend aims to establish a firm offering insurance, financial planning, and bookkeeping services with other graduates. This type of business often requires a professional licensed environment and a structure that ensures credibility and compliance with regulatory standards. A Professional Corporation (PC) or Professional Limited Liability Company (PLLC) is often recommended for licensed professionals such as financial advisors, accountants, and insurance agents (Charan & McDonald, 2020). These entities allow professionals to operate under a corporate form while maintaining liability protection, although they are subject to state licensing laws and specific regulations (Foley & Mangum, 2018). A PLLC offers limited liability protection, shielding the personal assets of individual professionals from malpractice claims or errors while keeping the firm’s management cohesive. Additionally, establishing an LLC or a corporation can help attract partners and investors, and facilitate a formal governance structure aligning with regulatory compliance (Johnson & Sayles, 2020).

Conclusion

In conclusion, the appropriate business structures for the three friends depend on their specific circumstances, goals, and risk considerations. The first friend should consider a Limited Liability Company to protect personal assets and optimize tax benefits in the restaurant industry. The second friend would benefit from an LLC or LLP, which provides liability protection and operational flexibility suited for subcontracting work. The third friend should opt for a PLLC or professional corporation to ensure compliance with licensing requirements while protecting personal assets, as the nature of their services involves professional liability risks. Carefully selecting these structures will help each friend to align their legal and operational needs with their business objectives, promoting sustainable growth and success (Smith, 2021).

References

  • Baxter, J. (2017). Business structures and liability protection for contractors. Construction Law Journal, 23(4), 45-52.
  • Brum, D. (2019). Choosing the right LLC for small businesses. Business Owner's Guide, 18(2), 10-15.
  • Charan, R., & McDonald, C. (2020). Legal structures for licensed professionals. Professional Practice Journal, 30(3), 134-140.
  • Foley, T., & Mangum, S. (2018). Regulatory considerations for financial services firms. Financial Regulation Review, 22(1), 53-60.
  • Klein, R. (2018). Liability and risk management in the restaurant industry. Hospitality Law Journal, 14(2), 78-85.
  • LaJeunesse, J. (2019). Tax benefits of LLCs for small business owners. Tax Strategies, 25(3), 102-108.
  • Mancuso, A. (2020). Corporations and S-corporation advantages and disadvantages. Business Formation Guide, 22(4), 66-72.
  • Smith, L. (2021). Selecting the appropriate business entity for startups. Entrepreneurship Journal, 29(1), 45-50.
  • Sullivan, J., & Sheffrin, S. (2018). Business law and organization structures. Legal Foundations for Business, 11th ed., pp. 230-255.
  • Johnson, P., & Sayles, J. (2020). Professional LLCs and corporate compliance in financial services. Journal of Business Law, 41(2), 89-96.