Financial management is based on three broad financial decisions. What are these? (2024)

Financial management refers to the efficient acquisition, allocation and usage of funds of the company. It deals in three main dimensions of financial decisions namely, Investment decisions, Financial decisions and Dividend decisions.

Investment Decisions

Investment decisions refer to the decisions regarding where to invest so as to earn the highest possible returns on investment. Investment decisions can be taken for both long term as well as short term.

Long term investment decisions also known as Capital Budgeting decisions affect a business’ long term earning capacity and profitability. For example, investment in a new machine, purchase of a new building, etc. are long term investment decisions.

Short term investment decisions also known as working capital decisions affect a business’ day to day working operations. For example, decisions regarding cash or bill receivables are short term investment decisions.

Financial Decisions

Such decisions involve identifying various sources of funds and deciding the best combination for raising the funds. The main sources for raising funds are shareholders' funds (referred as equity) and borrowed funds (referred as debt). Based on the cost involved, risk and profitability a company must judiciously decide the combination of debt and equity to be used. For example, while debt is considered to be the cheapest source of finance, higher debt increases the financial risk. Financial decisions taken by a company affects its overall cost of capital and the financial risk.

Dividend Decisions

The decision involves the decision regarding the distribution of profit or surplus of the company. A company can distribute its profit to the equity share holders in the form of dividends or retain it with itself. Under dividend decision, a company decides what proportion of the surplus to distribute as dividends and what proportion to keep as retained earnings. It is aimed at maximising the shareholders' wealth while keeping in view the requirement of retained earnings that are needed for re-investment.


Financial management is based on three broad financial decisions. What are these? (2024)

FAQs

Financial management is based on three broad financial decisions. What are these? ›

There are three primary types of financial decisions that financial managers must make: investment decisions, financing decisions, and dividend decisions.

What are the 3 main decisions in finance? ›

When it comes to managing finances, there are three distinct aspects of decision-making or types of decisions that a company will take. These include an Investment Decision, Financing Decision, and Dividend Decision.

What are the three broad areas of financial management? ›

There are three broad areas of financial decision making – capital budgeting, capital structure and working capital management.

What are the three 3 elements of financial management? ›

The key elements of financial management identified in the paper are planning, budgeting, forecasting, and monitoring.

What are the three 3 categories of financial management goals? ›

The objectives or goals of financial management are:
  • Profit Maximization.
  • Wealth Maximization.
  • Return Maximization.

What are the three important decisions finance function is concerned with taking? ›

Finance functions cover Investment (allocating funds to assets for growth), Dividend (deciding on profit distribution to shareholders), Financing (raising capital through equity or debt), and Liquidity (ensuring sufficient cash flow for operations).

What are financing decisions? ›

What is the Financing Decision? The Financing Decision is a crucial decision that is to be made by the financial manager, the decision is about the financing-mix of an organization. Financing Decision is focused on the borrowing and allocation of funds required for the investment decisions of the firm.

What is financial management 3? ›

Financial Management is the process of planning and managing the Finances of an individual or organisation to achieve its goals and objectives. It involves optimising shareholder value, generating profit, reducing risk, and ensuring financial health from both short-term and long-term perspectives.

What are the broad areas of financial planning? ›

It focuses on managing cash flow and controlling spending. On the other hand, a financial plan is a broader strategic roadmap encompassing long-term financial goals, investment strategies, risk management, and retirement planning.

What are the 3 types of financial goals and how long do they last? ›

Short, medium, and long term financial goals
Goal TypeTime FrameStrategy
Short termLess than a yearBudget and save in a bank account or a money jar
Medium termOne to five yearsPlan and invest in a mutual fund or a certificate of deposit
Long termMore than five yearsProject and invest in a stock or a bond

What are the four main areas of finance? ›

There are four main areas of finance: banks, institutions, public accounting and corporate. Courses within the finance major provide a solid background in many subjects including: Financial markets and intermediaries. Measuring the risk and return of investments.

What are the three most important decisions managers must make regarding the budgeting process? ›

Management usually must make decisions on where to allocate resources, capital, and labor hours. Capital budgeting is important in this process, as it outlines the expectations for a project.

What is the third primary decision when it comes to making financial decisions? ›

The third primary decision when making financial choices, after spending and saving, is investing. Investment decisions entail determining how to allocate one's savings among various forms of financial opportunities.

What is the most important type of decision that the financial manager makes? ›

The financial manager's most important job is to make the firm's investment decisions. This, also known as capital budgeting, is the most important job for this type of manager.

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