Like materials, labor is also one of the prime inputs of production system. All manufacturing concerns require the labor for carrying out their production activities. The labor consists of workers who are essential to convert materials into finished products. The workers operate machine and perform other tasks to help convert materials into final outputs. The labor can be either direct or indirect. The labor who is directly engaged in the conversion process is called direct labor and who is not is called indirect labor. The labor, however, should be properly utilized and satisfactorily paid in order to minimize labor turnover and labor cost. Unlike materials, labor is complex to deal with. Dissatisfied and discontented labor always results in high labor costs and low quality outputs. Therefore there should be proper planning, accounting and controlling of labor. Concept and Meaning of Labor Cost The payment made to the labor in exchange Continue reading
Financial Management
Financial management entails planning for the future of a person or a business enterprise to ensure a positive cash flow, including the administration and maintenance of financial assets. The primary concern of financial management is the assessment rather than the techniques of financial quantification. Some experts refer to financial management as the science of money management. The five basic components of the Financial Management Framework are: Planning and Analysis, Asset and Liability Management, Reporting, Transaction Processing and Control.
History of Derivatives Market in India
Interestingly, derivatives have been existed in India since long time in one form or the other. But, they were not liberalised nor efforts were put to enlighten the public. The area of existence of derivatives was in commodities, it was association by traders in Bombay which was named as Bombay Cotton Trade Association (BCTA) in 1875 and started dealing with the futures contracts. By the starting of 19th century derivatives in India crawled to top making India one of the worlds largest in futures industry. But, in the early 1952 Government banned trade in cash-settlements and option contracts. As a result derivatives’ trading was shifted to informal forward contracts which were a normal practice. Trading at that time was restricted to only few brokers, and their trading practice was typical located under the banyan tree in front of the town hall in Bombay. This practise was followed for long time Continue reading
Understanding Inflation-Linked Bonds (ILBs)
The recent Monetary Policy released by Reserve Bank of India (RBI) laid its thrust on controlling the spiraling inflation, especially the food price inflation. One of the reasons behind the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) hike was to “curtail the rising inflationary expectations (higher expected price trends)” In the past RBI has been concerned about the fact that a common man does not have any protection against rising prices, vis No Inflation Hedge. The common man has to rely on traditional but inefficient methods to hedge the real inflation risks, such as Gold and real assets such as commodities or real estate or even excessive stocking of goods In developed markets like US, the government has issues “Treasury Inflation Protected Securities” known as TIPS. Globally more than USD 1 trillion worth inflation linked bonds must be outstanding. Inflation-linked bonds (ILB) securities give an opportunity to market participants and investors to hedge Continue reading
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI): Objectives and Functions
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is the apex financial institution of the country’s financial system entrusted with the task of control, supervision, promotion, development and planning. RBI is the queen bee of the Indian financial system which influences the commercial banks’ management in more than one way. The RBI influences the management of commercial banks through its various policies, directions and regulations. Its role in bank management is quite unique. In fact, the RBI performs the four basic functions of management, viz., planning, organizing, directing and controlling in laying a strong foundation for the functioning of commercial banks. History of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) In 1921, the Imperial Bank of India was established to perform as central bank of India by the British Government. But unfortunately Imperial Bank failed to show its performance up to the mark and didn’t achieve any success as the Central Bank. Then the Continue reading
Importance of Accurate Financial Statements
The role of financial accounting is not to show the value of a company, but rather it provides enough information for others outside the company to determine the value of the company for themselves. Financial Statements are annual statements summarizing a company’s activity over the last year. They consist of the profit and loss account, balance sheet, statement of total recognized gains and losses and, if required, the cash flow statement together with supporting notes. Proper financial statements are crucial for a company’s success. Bad financial management can quickly lead to a company’s downfall. Income statements, also known as P&L’s or profit and losses are a basic account of the company’s profits, expenses and sales. These reports will give insight into the finances of a company in the immediate and distant future. Balance sheets are the assets, liabilities and the equity of a company. This sheet is simply the statement Continue reading
Concept of Accountability in Financial Management
“Accountability breeds responsibility” – This is a famous quote by Dr. Stephen R. Covey gives the meaning of accountability in rather general terms. The concept of accountability can be defined as the process through which a person is held answerable for his actions and deeds. Under the umbrella of the organization the notion of accountability can be stated as the phenomenon through which whether a person at the higher level of hierarchy or at the lower level is accountable for his works and services that he renders to the organization. Accountability from the organizational perspective bears great importance as it is the measure through which the performance of the organization and a person serving can be judged and analysed. Accountability has different forms. First, the individualizing form of accountability can be studied in which the accountability contributes in making the realization of the image an individual perceives about it. This Continue reading