Unit 1 and 2 Nature and Formation of a Partnership

A partnership is a contract whereby two or more persons bind themselves to contribute money, property or industry into a common fund with the intention of dividing the profit among themselves (Article 1767 of the Civil Code of the Philippines). This joint effort may be supported by a partnership agreement known as the Articles of Co-Partnership, which is an agreement in writing among the partners governing the nature and terms of the partnership contract. A written agreement is required when partnership capital is P3,000 or more in money or in property. The Article of Co-partnership helps in avoid misunderstanding among the partners. The written agreement among the partners governs the formation, operation and dissolution of the partnership and is required to be registered with SEC. The Article of Co-partnership contains the following information:

1. The name of the partnership; 2. The names, addresses of the partners, classes of partners stating whether the partner is a general or a limited partner; 3. The effective date of the contract; 4. The purpose and principal place of business of the business; 5. The capital of the partnership stating the contributions of each of the partners; 6. The rights and duties of each of the partners; 7. The manner of dividing profit or loss among the partners; 8. The conditions under which the partners may withdraw money or other assets; 9. The manner of keeping the books of accounts; 10. The causes for dissolution and the provision for arbitration in settling disputes.

Characteristics of a Partnership: 1. Based on contract partnership is formed through the mutual agreement of all the partners. The contract may be written or oral. 2. Voluntary association no one should be forced or coerced in joining a partnership. 3. Mutual agency any partner may act as an agent of the partnership in conducting its affairs.

4. Limited life a partnership may be dissolved at any time by action of the partners or by operation of law. The withdrawal, death, retirement, bankruptcy, in capacity of a partner and the admission of a new partner dissolves the partnership. 5. Unlimited liability the personal assets of a general partner may be used to satisfy the claims of the creditors of the partnership if the partnership assets are not enough to settle the liabilities to outsiders upon liquidation. 6. Co-ownership of property properties contributed to the partnership are owned by the partnership. Properties invested by a partner cease to be his own personal property. 7. Co-ownership of profit a partner has the right to share in partnership profits. The partners are entitled to share in the firms profits as a return on their investment. 8. Legal entity a partnership has a legal personality separate and distinct from that of each of the partners. 9.Income tax partnerships are subject to income tax rate of 30% beginning the fiscal year 2010 with the exception of general professional partnerships (i.e., those partnerships organized for the exercise of professions, e.g., CPAs, doctors, lawyers, etc.) Advantages of a Partnership 1. It is easy and inexpensive to form and to dissolve. It may be created orally except when partnership capital is P3,000 or more. A partnership is ended when ever there are changes in the ownership structure such as withdrawal of a partner or admission of a new partner. 2. Greater amount of capital may be raised compared to a sole proprietorship. The combined capital of 2 or more partners offers a greater source of capital. 3. There is relative freedom and flexibility in decision-making compared to a corporation. Decisions are effected simply by agreement among the partners without the formalities necessary under a corporation. 4. It is better managed because more than one person supervises business affairs. Better management results from the combined experience and ability of severalindividuals. 5. The unlimited liability of general partners makes it reliable from the point of view of creditors.

Disadvantages of a Partnership 1. There is lack of business continuity because it can be easily dissolved. 2. Limited amount of capital may be raised compared to a corporation.

3. The unlimited liability of a partnership deters many from joining in a partnership form of business. 4. A general partner may be subjected to a personal liability for erroneous management decisions made by his associates. 5. There is likelihood of dissension and disagreement when each of the partners has the same authority in the management of the firm. 6. There is difficulty in transferring ownership interest because ownership interest in the partnership cannot be transferred without the consent of all the partners. Kinds of Partnerships 1. According to activities a. Service main activity is the rendering of services b. Merchandising or Trading main activity is the purchase or sale of goods c. Manufacturing main activity is the production of goods 2. According to liability a. General one wherein all the partners are general partners who are liable for the partnership debts to the extent of their personal property after all the partnership assets have been exhausted. b. Limited one consisting of one or more general partners and one or more limited partners. 3. According to object a. Universal partnership of all present property one in which the partners contribute all the property which actually belong to each of them, at the time of the constitution of the partnership, to a common fund with the intention of dividing the same among them as well as the profits which they may acquire therewith. All assets contributed to the partnership and subsequent acquisitions become common partnership assets. b. Universal partnership of profits one which comprises all that the partners may acquire by their industry or work during the existence of the partnership and the usufruct of movable or immovable property which each of the partners may possess at the time of the institution of the contract. The original movable or immovable property contributed do not become common partnership assets. c. Particular partnership one which has for its object determinate things, their use or fruits or a specific undertaking or the exercise of a profession of vocation. 4. According to duration of partnership existence a. Partnership at will one for which no term is specified and is not formedfor a particular undertaking or venture and which may be terminated anytime by mutual agreement of the partners or the will of one alone.

b. Partnership with a Fixed Term one in which the term or period for whichthe partnership is to exist is agreed upon (Baysa and Lupisan, 2000). Kinds of Partners 1. According to contribution a. Capitalist one who contributes capital in money or property. b. Industrial one who contributes industry, labor, skill or service. c. Capitalist-Industrial one who contributes money, property and industry 2. According to Liability a. General one whose liability to third persons extends to his private property b. Limited one whose liability to third persons is limited only to the extent of his capital contribution to the partnership. 3. According to management a. Managing Partner one who manages actively the business of the partnership b. Silent one who does not participate in the management of partnership affairs. 4. Others a. Nominal- a partner in name only. b. Secret one who takes active part in the business but whose connection with the partnership is concealed on unknown to the public. c. Dormant partner one who does not take active part in the business and is not known to the public as a partner. Basic Features of Partnership Accounting 1. More than one capital and drawing accounts there will be as many capital accounts and as many drawing accounts as there are partners 2. Partners loans partners may advance money to the partnership in the form of loans when the business is in need of additional funds. The account title to be credited is Loans Payable to Partner or Partner, Loan 3. Partners borrowings the partnership may advance money to partners other than withdrawals in the form of loans. The account title to be debited is Receivable from Partner. 4. Partners salaries partners are paid salaries for services rendered in the conduct of partnership business. 5. Interest on investment interest is allowed to earn on the asset investment of the partners. 6. Division of profit and losses net profit or net loss is to be divided among the partners based on their agreement.