Finance is the life blood of business. Before discussing the nature and scope of financial management, the meaning of ‘finance’ has to be explained. In fact, the term, finance has to be understood clearly as it has different meaning and interpretation in various contexts.
Significance
Finance is the life blood of
business. Before discussing the nature and scope of financial management, the
meaning of ‘finance’ has to be explained. In fact, the term, finance has to be
understood clearly as it has different meaning and interpretation in various
contexts. The time and extent of the availability of finance in any organization
indicates the health of a concern. Every organization, may it be a company,
firm, college, school, bank or university requires finance for running day to
day affairs. As every organization previews stiff competition, it requires
finance not only for survival but also for strengthening themselves. Finance is
said to be the circulatory system of the economy body, making possible the
required cooperation between the innumerable units of activity.
Definition of Finance
According to F.W.Paish, Finance
may be defined as the position of money at the time it is wanted.
In the words of John J. Hampton,
the term finance can be defined as the management of the flows of money through
an organization, whether it will be a corporation, school, bank or government
agency.
According to Howard and Upton, “finance
may be defined as that administrative area or set of administrative functions
in an organization which relates with the arrangement of each and credit so
that the organization may have the means to carry out the objectives as
satisfactorily as possible.
In the words of Bonneville and
Dewey, Financing consists in the raising, providing, managing of all the money,
capital or funds of any kind to be used in connection with the business.
As put forth by Hurband and
Dockery in his book ‘Modern Corporation Finance’, finance is defined as “an
organism composed of a myriad of separate enterprise, each working for its own
ends but simultaneously making a contribution to the system as a whole, some
force is necessary to bring about direction and co-ordination. Something must
direct the flow of economic activity and facilitate its smooth operation.
Finance is the agent that produces this result”.
The Encyclopedia
Britannica defines finance
as “the act of providing the means of payment.” It is thus the
financial aspect of corporate planning which may be described as the management
of money.
An analysis of the aforesaid
definition makes it clear that finance directs the flow of economic activity
and facilitates the smooth operation. Finance provides the required stimulus
for continued business operations of all categories. Finance is essential for
expansion, diversification, modernization, establishment, of new projects and
so on. The financial policy of any organization to a greater extent, determines
not only its existence, and survival but also the performance and success of
that organization. Finance is required for investment, purposes as well as to
meet substantial capital expenditure projects.
Tags : Financial Management - Finance – An Introduction
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