What are financial management objectives?

Objectives of Financial Management may be broadly divided into two parts such as:

1. Profit maximization

2. Wealth maximization

Profit maximization is a traditional approach which is claimed to be the main goal of any kind of business. "Profit equals to revenues substracted by expenses." It is needed for business survival to meet all necessary business expenses. If a business doesn’t yield any profit, it can be on danger in terms of survival.Wealth maximization is the new approach and claimed to be superior to profit maximization. Wealth maximization means increasing shareholder’s wealth. The term wealth here is the market price of capital invested by shareholders. When the net worth of a business IS increased, the wealth of shareholder is also increased. Unlike profit maximization, wealth maximization serves shareholder’s objective i.e. get good return and safety of their capital. Wealth equals to present value of cash flows substracted by cost.Since wealth maximization is based on cash flow, it can avoid any ambiguity in accounting the profit. Wealth maximization also considers risk of a business while profit maximization ignores it. Profit maximization presents a shorter term view as compared to wealth maximization. Wealth maximization considers the time value of money. A dollar today and a dollar one year later do not have the same value. In wealth maximization, the future cash flows are discounted at an appropriate discounted rate to represent their present value.

The main financial objective of the managers of a business is to maximize its value to its owners. To ensure that they have the right balance, managers set objectives in a number of areas, that affect the value of the business:

Liquidity:

Is the ability of an organization to pay its short-term obligations as they fall due. A business must have sufficient cash flow to meet financial obligations or convert current assets into cash quickly. Planning cash flow is essential in this goal.

Profitability:

Is the ability of an organization to maximize its profits? Profits satisfy owners and shareholders and are important for long term sustainability.

Efficiency:

Is the ability of an organization to minimize its costs and manage its assets so that maximum profit is achieved with the lowest possible level of assets? Control measures are essential here

Growth:

An important aspect of profit maximization is the ability of an organization to maintain profits in the longer term. To do this growth is essential, and growth is the ability of the organization to increase its size in the longer term.

Return on Capital:

Is the amount of profit returned to owners or shareholders as a percentage of their capital contribution? Owners have expectation profits will be maximized such that they can receive a share of them. Managers will set different objectives on the return on capital for different projects depending on the risk associated.

To maximise Profit and good will of company

The main objectives of financial management are:-

1. Profit maximization: The main objective of financial management is profit maximization. The finance manager tries to earn maximum profits for the company in the short-term and the long-term. He cannot guarantee profits in the long term because of business uncertainties. However, a company can earn maximum profits even in the long-term, if:-
   1. The Finance manager takes proper financial decisions.
   2. He uses the finance of the company properly.
2. Wealth maximization: Wealth maximization (shareholders' value maximization) is also a main objective of financial management. Wealth maximization means to earn maximum wealth for the shareholders. So, the finance manager tries to give a maximum dividend to the shareholders. He also tries to increase the market value of the shares. The market value of the shares is directly related to the performance of the company. Better the performance, higher is the market value of shares and vice-versa. So, the finance manager must try to maximize shareholder's value.
3. Proper estimation of total financial requirements: Proper estimation of total financial requirements is a very important objective of financial management. The finance manager must estimate the total financial requirements of the company. He must find out how much finance is required to start and run the company. He must find out the fixed capital and working capital requirements of the company. His estimation must be correct. If not, there will be shortage or surplus of finance. Estimating the financial requirements is a very difficult job. The finance manager must consider many factors, such as the type of technology used by company, number of employees employed, scale of operations, legal requirements, etc.
4. Proper mobilization: Mobilization (collection) of finance is an important objective of financial management. After estimating the financial requirements, the finance manager must decide about the sources of finance. He can collect finance from many sources such as shares, debentures, bank loans, etc. There must be a proper balance between owned finance and borrowed finance. The company must borrow money at a low rate of interest.
5. Proper utilization of finance: Proper utilization of finance is an important objective of financial management. The finance manager must make optimum utilization of finance. He must use the finance profitable. He must not waste the finance of the company. He must not invest the company's finance in unprofitable projects. He must not block the company's finance in inventories. He must have a short credit period.
6. Maintaining proper cash flow: Maintaining proper cash flow is a short-term objective of financial management. The company must have a proper cash flow to pay the day-to-day expenses such as purchase of raw materials, payment of wages and salaries, rent, electricity bills, etc. If the company has a good cash flow, it can take advantage of many opportunities such as getting cash discounts on purchases, large-scale purchasing, giving credit to customers, etc. A healthy cash flow improves the chances of survival and success of the company.
7. Survival of company: Survival is the most important objective of financial management. The company must survive in this competitive business world. The finance manager must be very careful while making financial decisions. One wrong decision can make the company sick, and it will close down.
8. Creating reserves: One of the objectives of financial management is to create reserves. The company must not distribute the full profit as a dividend to the shareholders. It must keep a part of it profit as reserves. Reserves can be used for future growth and expansion. It can also be used to face contingencies in the future.
9. Proper coordination: Financial management must try to have proper coordination between the finance department and other departments of the company.
10. Create goodwill: Financial management must try to create goodwill for the company. It must improve the image and reputation of the company. Goodwill helps the company to survive in the short-term and succeed in the long-term. It also helps the company during bad times.
11. Increase efficiency: Financial management also tries to increase the efficiency of all the departments of the company. Proper distribution of finance to all the departments will increase the efficiency of the entire company.
12. Financial discipline: Financial management also tries to create a financial discipline. Financial discipline means:-
    1. To invest finance only in productive areas. This will bring high returns (profits) to the company.
    2. To avoid wastage and misuse of finance.
13. Reduce cost of capital: Financial management tries to reduce the cost of capital. That is, it tries to borrow money at a low rate of interest. The finance manager must plan the capital structure in such a way that the cost of capital it minimized.
14. Reduce operating risks: Financial management also tries to reduce the operating risks. There are many risks and uncertainties in a business. The finance manager must take steps to reduce these risks. He must avoid high-risk projects. He must also take proper insurance.
15. Prepare capital structure: Financial management also prepares the capital structure. It decides the ratio between owned finance and borrowed finance. It brings a proper balance between the different sources of. Capital. This balance is necessary for liquidity, economy, flexibility and stability.

Maximising Margin

The main objective of Financial management is Maximization of wealth.

(1)Utilisation of avaiable funds for various activities in order of priorities.

(2)Raising of funds required from various sources in a cost effective manner.Advising on equity financing or debt financing ,dividend declaration.etc.,

(3)Arranging of working capital for the business in a cost effective manner.

(4)Maintaining of the liquidity in the business without causing opportunity losses.

In my opinion the financial management entails risk assessment, evaluation of purchase and investment opportunities, assessment of capital needs and determination of the best sources of capital. Sound financial management helps companies achieve two major objectives — operate efficiently and effectively and provide owners with a suitable return on their investment.

To increase the wealth of the investor

Maintain positive cash flow

Track implemetation of the approved budget and call for non-regular budget review

Ensure compliance with fainancial standards and regulations

Ensure compliance and implementation of tax rules and regulations

Participate effectively in forming the organization's strategy and the effectively manage the execution of the fainancial tasks requird to implement the organization's strategy.

Effectively manage liabilities & funding

Manage cost accouting to ensure target profitability.

In nutshell, the basic objective of Financial Management is to use Monetary Resources efficiently.