Financial management in international business

Subject: International Business

Overview

International managers are more focused on financial management in the global corporate environment, which includes managing accounts receivable, cash, inventories, funds, and so on. The most effective use of the company's cash resources and the reduction of the global tax obligations of the company are the main goals of global money management. Financial management on a global scale can be a significant source of competitive advantage. By enhancing customer service, it can both lower the cost of adding value and increase it. It differs due to the various currencies of various nations, various political contexts, flawed markets, and varied opportunity sets. It is the widely accepted theory of financial management in a global company setting that enables trade and financial gain from the exchange of different currencies. The organizations' connections with global clients, suppliers, and lenders are made possible by the global financial activity. Additionally, both government and nonprofit organizations employ it. Three choices are part of the financial management process. Investment, financing, and money management decisions are these. The two primary functions are dealt with by financial management.

  • Acquisition of financial resources: Generating funds from both internal and external sources is involved in the acquisition of financial resources. This process aids in obtaining finances at the lowest possible cost.
  • Financial resource allocation: This function of resource allocation involves the distribution of financial resources.

Key Functions in International Financial Management

The acquisition and usage of funds across broaders is one of the duties of international financial management. The chief financial officer is in charge of planning financial operations for global business operations. The chief financial officer's responsibilities include handling financial planning, maintaining records, and reporting financial information to senior management. The following are some of the key responsibilities of international financial management:

  • Making a capital structure decision
  • Raising money for the company's global operations
  • Management of cash flow and working capital
  • Capital planning for global operations
  • Controlling currency risk
  • Managing global accounting and tax procedures

Sources of Fund for International Operation

  • Global equity financing: Selling shares to investors is the act of providing global equity financing. Dividends are to be given to shareholders from profits. The primary benefit is that the company can raise funds without incurring debt, but the present management may lose control over business decisions.
  • Global debt financing: Global debt financing is the practice of taking out loans from banks or other financial institutions to raise money. Global debt financing's key benefit is that the company doesn't have to give up any ownership in order to get the capital it needs; its biggest drawback is the ongoing weight of interest payments.

Investment Decision

Investment decisions are choices made in relation to investments. It relates to how to finance operations. Making wise capital investment choices is essential to the firm's survival and long-term performance. If the present value of the anticipated cash flow exceeds the present value of the anticipated cash outlay, the investment is financially justified. The strategic choice for the business's overall growth and diversification is hence capital budgeting.

Global E-marketing Strategy

Tax laws: Taxation is the primary source of funding for the government. Because every government collects taxes from commercial activities, it is the most crucial issue for managers of foreign businesses. Depending on the nation's philosophy and ideology, the tax laws and systems vary. Two different taxation systems exist.

  • Direct tax
  • Indirect tax

Due to a variety of factors, taxes are an issue in international company.

  • Selection of the initial investment's site
  • Choosing an operational company through licensing or franchising
  • Choice of law firm for new business
  • Selection of a finance strategy

Eliminating Multiple Taxation

Double taxation obligations increase costs and interfere with the competitive business environment, thus international business managers must be worried about reducing them. Two main strategies are used by the government to avoid such practices.

  • Tax treaties: A tax treaty is an agreement made with another nation to prevent double taxation. Countries ratify agreements or accords to prevent double taxation.
  • Foreign tax credit: When a company can demonstrate that it has already paid taxes abroad, foreign tax credit automatically lowers domestic tax liability.

Currency Risk Management

International company managers must safeguard corporate assets from exchange losses, including those caused by changes or volatility in foreign exchange rates. The manager has a responsibility to be aware of potential currency risk management strategies.

  • Definition and assessment of risk exposure
  • Establishing a mechanism for monitoring and reporting
  • Establishing a risk exposure management policy

Developing hedging strategies

Operational and financial solutions are the two main categories of exposure hedging strategies. Operational plans call for a proper cash flow to balance exposed assets to exposed liabilities. Financial plans included the use of forward contract options or others. Financial tools to protect a vulnerable position.

Features of International Finance management

  • Foreign exchange risk: Due to the fact that a single national currency acts as the primary medium of transaction within a nation, this danger is typically overlooked in domestic economies. There is a real possibility that foreign exchange rates will fluctuate when different national currencies are exchanged. The current structure of the International Monetary System is defined by a combination of controlled and floating exchange rate policies that each country has implemented while keeping in mind its own objectives. The fluctuation in exchange rates is actually largely regarded as the most significant international financial issue facing business executives and decision-makers.
  • Political risk: Political risk includes the possibility of suffering loss (or gain) due to unexpected government actions or other politically unrelated occurrences, such as terrorist attacks, to outright seizure of foreigners' assets. For instance, the longest power plant in India was to be built by Enron Development Corporation, a subsidiary of a Houston-based Energy Company. Unfortunately, the project was abandoned in 1995 because Maharashtrian politicians claimed that India did not need the power plant. On the project, the corporation had invested close to $300 million.
  • Expanded Opportunity Sets: 
    • When businesses grow internationally, they may have access to more current and extended prospects.
    • The enterprises can benefit from larger economies of scale when they operate on a global scale.
    • They can raise capital in capital markets where the cost of capital is the lowest.
  • Market Imperfections: Differences in national laws, tax systems, business practices, and general cultural contexts make today's markets in the domestic financial sector particularly imperfect.
Things to remember

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