The Role of Financial Management The Role of Financial Management
The Role of Financial Management The Role of Financial Management
The Role of Financial Management The Role of Financial Management
1.1 Van Horne and Wachowicz, Fundamentals of Financial Management, 13th edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2009. Created by Gregory Kuhlemeyer.
After studying Chapter 1,
you should be able to:
1. Explain why the role of the financial manager today is so
important.
2. Describe "financial management" in terms of the three major
decision areas that confront the financial manager.
3. Identify the goal of the firm and understand why
shareholders' wealth maximization is preferred over other
goals.
4. Understand the potential problems arising when management
of the corporation and ownership are separated (i.e., agency
problems).
5. Demonstrate an understanding of corporate governance.
6. Discuss the issues underlying social responsibility of the
firm.
7. Understand the basic responsibilities of financial managers
and the differences between a "treasurer" and a "controller."
1.2 Van Horne and Wachowicz, Fundamentals of Financial Management, 13th edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2009. Created by Gregory Kuhlemeyer.
Why should I care about
Financial Management ?
• Prepare for the workplace of tomorrow.
• Broadening expectations of financial
knowledge and skills.
• Use and understand financial terminology
and concepts in team communication.
• Developing cross-functional capabilities.
• Critical thinking.
1.3 Van Horne and Wachowicz, Fundamentals of Financial Management, 13th edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2009. Created by Gregory Kuhlemeyer.
The Role of
Financial Management
1.4 Van Horne and Wachowicz, Fundamentals of Financial Management, 13th edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2009. Created by Gregory Kuhlemeyer.
What is Financial
Management?
Maximization of
Shareholder Wealth!
Class Discussion:
Discussion What role should
CSR and/or sustainability have on
living the “goal of the firm”?
Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR): A business
outlook that acknowledges a firm’s responsibilities to
its stakeholders and the natural environment.
Sustainability: Meeting the needs of the present without
compromising the ability of future generations to meet
their own needs.
1.10 Van Horne and Wachowicz, Fundamentals of Financial Management, 13th edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2009. Created by Gregory Kuhlemeyer.
What Goals do
some Firms have?
• “Creating superior shareholder value is our top priority.”
Associated Banc-Corp 2006 Annual Report.
• “The desire to increase shareholder value is what drives our
actions.” Phillips 2006 Annual Report.
• “FedEx’s main responsibility is to create shareholder
value.” FedEx Corporation, SEC Form Def 14A for the period
ending 9/25/2006.
• “… the Board of Directors plays a central role in the
Company’s corporate governance system; it has the power
(and the duty) to direct Company business, pursuing and
fulfilling its primary and ultimate objective of creating
shareholder value.” Pirelli & C. S.p.A. Milan Annual Report
2006.
1.11 Van Horne and Wachowicz, Fundamentals of Financial Management, 13th edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2009. Created by Gregory Kuhlemeyer.
Shortcomings of
Alternative Perspectives
Profit Maximization
• Maximizing a firm’s earnings after taxes.
Problems
• Could increase current profits while
harming firm (e.g., defer maintenance,
issue common stock to buy T-bills, etc.).
• Ignores changes in the risk level of the
firm.
1.12 Van Horne and Wachowicz, Fundamentals of Financial Management, 13th edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2009. Created by Gregory Kuhlemeyer.
Shortcomings of
Alternative Perspectives
Earnings per Share Maximization
• Maximizing earnings after taxes divided
by shares outstanding.
Problems
• Does not specify timing or duration of
expected returns.
• Ignores changes in the risk level of the firm.
• Calls for a zero payout dividend policy.
1.13 Van Horne and Wachowicz, Fundamentals of Financial Management, 13th edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2009. Created by Gregory Kuhlemeyer.
Strengths of Shareholder
Wealth Maximization
• Takes account of: current and future
profits and EPS; the timing, duration,
and risk of profits and EPS; dividend
policy; and all other relevant factors.
• Thus, share price serves as a
barometer for business performance.
1.14 Van Horne and Wachowicz, Fundamentals of Financial Management, 13th edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2009. Created by Gregory Kuhlemeyer.
The Modern Corporation
Modern Corporation
Shareholders Management
1.18 Van Horne and Wachowicz, Fundamentals of Financial Management, 13th edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2009. Created by Gregory Kuhlemeyer.
Corporate
Social Responsibility
• Wealth maximization does not
preclude the firm from being socially
responsible at the corporate level.
• Assume we view the firm as producing
both private and social goods.
• Then shareholder wealth maximization
remains the appropriate goal in
governing the firm.
1.19 Van Horne and Wachowicz, Fundamentals of Financial Management, 13th edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2009. Created by Gregory Kuhlemeyer.
Corporate Governance
• Corporate governance: represents the
system by which corporations are
managed and controlled.
• Includes shareholders, board of
directors, and senior management.
• Then shareholder wealth maximization
remains the appropriate goal in
governing the firm.
1.20 Van Horne and Wachowicz, Fundamentals of Financial Management, 13th edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2009. Created by Gregory Kuhlemeyer.
Board of Directors
• Typical responsibilities:
• Set company-wide policy;
• Advise the CEO and other senior executives;
• Hire, fire, and set the compensation of the CEO;
• Review and approve strategy, significant
investments, and acquisitions; and
• Oversee operating plans, capital budgets, and
financial reports to common shareholders.
• CEO/Chairman roles commonly same person
in US, but separate in Britain (US moving in
this direction).
1.21 Van Horne and Wachowicz, Fundamentals of Financial Management, 13th edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2009. Created by Gregory Kuhlemeyer.
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
• Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 (SOX): addresses
corporate governance, auditing and accounting, executive
compensation, and enhanced and timely disclosure of
corporate information.
• Imposes new penalties for violations of securities
laws.
• Established the Public Company Accounting
Oversight Board (PCAOB) to adopt auditing, quality
control, ethics, disclosure standards for public
companies and their auditors, and policing authority.
• Generally increasing the standards for corporate
governance.
1.22 Van Horne and Wachowicz, Fundamentals of Financial Management, 13th edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2009. Created by Gregory Kuhlemeyer.
Organization of the Financial
Management Function
Board of Directors
President
(Chief Executive Officer)
1.23 Van Horne and Wachowicz, Fundamentals of Financial Management, 13th edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2009. Created by Gregory Kuhlemeyer.
Organization of the Financial
Management Function
EVP of Finance
Vice President (Treasurer) Controller
• Capital Investment • Cost Accounting
• Cash Management • Cost Management
• Commercial/investment • Data Processing
banking relationships • General Ledger
• Credit Management • Government Reporting
• Dividend Disbursement • Internal Control
• Financial Analysis/Planning • Preparing Financial
• Investor Relations Statements
• Mergers and Acquisitions • Preparing Budgets
• Pension Management • Preparing Forecasts
• Insurance/Risk Management
• Tax Analysis/Planning
1.24 Van Horne and Wachowicz, Fundamentals of Financial Management, 13th edition. © Pearson Education Limited 2009. Created by Gregory Kuhlemeyer.