Vocabulary Check. Choose the term within the parentheses that best matches each of the following descriptions. (LO1-1-LO1-7) a. Expenditure on research and development (financing decision / investment decision) b. A bank loan (real asset / financial asset) c. Listed on a stock exchange (closely held corporation / public corporation) d. Has limited liability (partnership / corporation) e. Responsible for bank relationships (the treasurer / the controller) f. Agency cost (the cost resulting from conflicts of interest between managers and shareholders / the amount charged by a company's agents such as the auditors and lawyers)

a. Investment decision b. financial asset c. Public corporation d. Corporation e. Treasurer f. the cost incurred from conflicts of interest between managers and shareholders

Explanation:

a. Expenditure on research and development will be categorized as an investment decision, as the return on this is not certain. Such investment may or may not increase productivity or find a new product line.

b. A bank loan is classified as a financial asset because it is a non physical, liquid asset. A real asset is a physical asset which has some intrinsic value, for instance, land, equipment etc.

c. A public corporation is a company owned by government whose shares are publicly traded, so if it's listed on stock exchange the company will be a public corporation.

d. In partnerships, the partners share profits and liability equally. While in the corporations there is limited liability.

e. The controller supervises over accountants and oversees the preparation of reports, auditing and accounting functions of a company. While the treasurer manages the external interactions, such as interactions with bankers, investors and share holders.

f. Agency cost is an internal expense. It arises when an agent acts on behalf of principal. It arises from core inefficiencies, for instance, it arises when interest of managers of the company and the shareholders is in conflict.