Moneyzine
Contents
/Investment Guides /Sole Proprietorship

Sole Proprietorship

Moneyzine Editor
Author: 
Moneyzine Editor
1 mins
September 21st, 2023
Advertiser Disclosure

Definition

A business entity that is owned by only one person is known as a single or sole proprietorship. The owner of a sole proprietorship is entitled to all of the profits of the business as well as its debts.

Explanation

Unlike corporations and limited liability companies, there is very little government oversight with a sole proprietorship. They are very simple to establish and are often the business model for small retail stores and professional practices such as general contractors, accountants, financial advisors, lawyers, dentists and medical doctors.

The owner of a sole proprietorship is not only entitled to the profits from the business, but is personally responsible for all liabilities and debts incurred by the business. This means any of the assets in the possession of the owner can be seized and sold to pay the debts of the business; the owner has unlimited liability.

Finally, if the owner of a sole proprietorship leaves the business or passes away, the business would terminate operations.

Related Terms

corporation, limited liability company, partnership, drawing account, organization costs, business organization, articles of incorporation

Explore Investing Further

Related Content

  • Biden Or Trump: Who Is Better For The Economy And Stocks?
    Yup. This is one of those articles. It's an election year, and here in the U.S., we get to decide which old dude who’s been alive long enough to remember when there were only 48 states in the U.S. will be the leader of the free world.
    March 19th, 2024
  • When it comes to strategic business planning, accounting is front and center, shaping the course of action. At least it should be.
    March 14th, 2024
  • DRIP Brokers: Best Brokers for Dividend Investing for April 2024
    Reinvesting dividends could mean compound growth for your portfolio. But reinvesting them manually can be a hassle. This is why you could benefit from a dividend reinvestment plan (DRIP).
    March 12th, 2024
  • How To Invest in Real Estate Without Becoming a Landlord
    We all know that in order to build wealth and prepare for retirement, investing is the key. However, it can be hard to figure out what to invest in and how to put your money to good use. One of the most talked about ways to build wealth is owning property and being a landlord to bring in passive income. But what if you don’t want to do that? You can still invest in real estate!
    March 6th, 2024
  • Investing In Nature: The Closest You'll Get To Your Money Growing On Trees
    ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) has become a polluted word for many traders and investors - but that doesn't mean it's going completely away. Nor does that mean you can't profit from nature or sustainable practices. But there are some opportunities in the regenerative ag, conservation, and green real estate spaces.
    February 29th, 2024

Contributors

Moneyzine 2024. All Rights Reserved.