What’s The Difference Between A Business And A Company?

There are some significant differences between a business and a company. One of the most important differences is the legal structure. A company is a separate legal entity where a business is owned by an individual or a group of people. Moreover, forming a company is more complex than starting a business. You will have to go through lots of paper works while forming a company. A company is responsible for its own debts and legal affairs while the business owner is responsible for the debts and legal affairs of the business.

Key Takeaways

• The main mission of a business is to generate profit by selling goods and services to the customers
• The main mission of a company is to separate the business assets from the owner’s assets and provide protection
• A business can be divided into seven types and some popular business types are Sole Proprietorship, Limited Partnership, Corporation, etc.
• A company can be categorized based on the basis of liabilities, members, control, access to capital, etc.

What Is A Business?

A business is usually referred to as an organization that is engaged in commercial or professional activities and earns a profit by selling goods or providing services in exchange for payments. A business can be an individual or organization and a profit or non-profit. One of the main aims of a business is to meet a specific demand in the market. According to Law.Com the definition of a business is – 

“Any activity or enterprise entered into for profit. It does not mean it is a company, a corporation, a partnership, or any such formal organization, but it can range from a street peddler to General Motors. It is sometimes significant to determine if an accident, visit, travel, meal or other activity was part of “business” or for pleasure or no particular purpose.”

A business can trade under a single name and then build a reputation based on that identity. You can use the word “Business” in many financial entities including a large number of organizational structures. Nowadays, the business has become an integral part of the modern economic system.             

Important Features Of A Business

1. A business must have economic activities like the production of goods or providing various types of services

2. Businesses provide employment opportunities for professionals and skilled people

3. A business plays a very important role in the industrial and economic development of a country

4. One of the key features of a business is trading which includes buying raw materials and selling finished products to meet the customer demands

5. Business is a continuous process of production and distribution of goods and services; a single production or transaction can’t be considered a business

6. “Making Profit” is the primary motive of a business; it’s the driving force behind all the activities of a business

7. “The element of risk” is another important feature of a business. A business can interact with two types of risks, Insurable, and Non-insurable risks

8. Creativity and dynamicity are two key features of a business. A business must bring fresh, new, and inventive products or services to stay in competition with other businesses

9. “Promotional activities” are very common for a business. A business uses various marketing methods to promote its products or services to the customers

Types Of Businesses

There are seven types of business available. They are:

Sole Proprietorship

1. Business is owned by a single person

2. No financial and legal difference between the business and the owner

Partnership

1. The ownership, financial and legal responsibilities of the business is equally divided between two or more persons

2. Business must be registered for IRS purposes

Limited Partnership

1. Businesses raise capital from investors who are not interested in day-to-day business activities

2. This type of business has both general partners and limited partners

Corporation

1. This type of business is independent and has multiple shareholders

2. These are established businesses with employees

LLC

1. It has a blend of both partnership and corporation

2. Less regulation compared to other business types

Non-profit

1. This type of business can apply for “tax-exempt” status

2. Use the earnings to operate the business and pay all the expenses of the business

Co-op

1. In this type of business, the profit is divided among the members

2. There are no external shareholders available in this type of business

What Is A Company?

A company is a type of legal entity or business entity that offers goods or services to customers and it is formed by an individual or a group of people. The main goal of a company is to earn profit and it can be a commercial or an industrial enterprise. According to the Duhaime’s Law Dictionary, the definition of a company is – 

“A legal entity, allowed by legislation, which permits a group of people, as shareholders, to apply to the government for an independent organization to be created, which can then focus on pursuing set objectives, and empowered with legal rights which are usually only reserved for individuals, such as to sue and be sued, own property, hire employees or loan and borrow money.”

There are many ways you can create a company. But you have to remember that each type of company has its own advantages and disadvantages depending on the business operations and tax purposes.

Important Features Of A Company

A company has some key features and characteristics. They are – 

1. According to the law, a company is a legal artificial person because it has its own name and bank account

2. A company can own property under its name, file a lawsuit against a person or another company, or perform other activities that a person can

3. A company is a separate legal entity and it’s not responsible for its workers. For example, if a member of a company doesn’t pay his debt then the company is not responsible for that incident

4. It is required to register a company by the law and under the ordinance of the companies act

5. A company must have a memorandum of association, board of directors, share prices, shareholders, company name, bank account, phone number, address, and other legal documentation

6. A company has limited liability therefore shareholders’ liability is limited to their share price only

Types Of Companies

Over the years, company forms of businesses have become very popular and it resulting in many new types of companies. You can easily classify the companies based on liabilities, members, control, and many more. Let’s check them out!

Types Of Companies On The Basis Of Liabilities

1. Companies Limited by Shares

2. Companies Limited by Guarantee

3. Unlimited Companies

Types Of Companies On The Basis Of Members

1. One Person Companies (OPC)

2. Private Companies

3. Public Companies

Types Of Companies On The Basis Of Control

1. Holding and Subsidiary Companies

2. Associate Companies

Types Of Companies On The Basis Of Access To Capital

1. Listed Companies

2. Unlisted Companies

Other Types Of Companies

1. Government Companies

2. Foreign Companies

3. Charitable Companies

4. Dormant Companies

5. Nidhi Companies

6. Public Financial Institutions

Key Differences Between A Business And A Company

A company is a type of business and the term “business” also refers to a company. So, it’s normal to get confused with the difference between a Business and a Company. Moreover, many people think there is no difference between these two words and use either term to define a commercial entity. But the fact is; these two are not interchangeable and there are clear differences between the two. The differences are:

Setup

The main difference between a business and a company is in the setup. Usually, a business is owned by a person or a group of people and they trade as a Business name. On the other hand, a company is a legal entity and it forms with an official name and company house. 

The structure of a business is simple and very easy to set up; you don’t need much money to set up a business. But, it’s not simple to set up a company. There are lots of legal aspects that you have to take care of like corporate tax rates, limited liability, etc.

Registration

The registration process is also simple for a business compared to a company. If the business is set up by individual people then you have to register it as a sole trader. If the business is set up by a group of people then you have to register the business as a partnership with the HMRC.

The registration process is a bit complex for a company. You have to register the company as a “Limited Company” with the HMRC and have to register the company name with Companies House. Moreover, you also have to provide a Certificate of Incorporation as proof of the company’s status.

Ownership

Usually, a business is owned by a person or a group of people who are self-employed and they trade as the business. The owner of the business is totally responsible for all debts and legal responsibilities of the business.

On the other hand, a company is a legal entity itself; therefore the company is responsible for itself as well as all the debts and legal responsibilities. In a company, shareholders owned a percentage of that company and they are also responsible for that much of the company.

Tax Return

In a business, it’s the responsibility of the self-employed individual to file a self-assessment tax return and pay the tax at the end of the year. If the business is registered as a partnership then every partner has to submit the tax return individually as well as they also have to submit an additional “Partnership Tax Return.”

The tax return process is quite simple for a company. Here, the company has to file a “corporate tax return” at the end of each year. It will cover all aspects of the company’s tax-related issues.

References
1. https://www.pointfranchise.co.uk/articles/company-vs-business-what-s-the-difference-5820/
2. https://www.thefreemanonline.org/difference-between-company-and-business/

Last Updated on October 2, 2022 by Magalie D.