13. Which of the following is an ADVANTAGE of a sole proprietorship?
Answer: B
The business owner makes all of the decisions.
A sole proprietorship allows the owner to have complete control over all business decisions, enabling quick and direct decision-making without the need for consultations or approvals from partners or shareholders.
A) There is limited liability for business debts.
This statement is incorrect as sole proprietorships do not provide limited liability. The owner is personally liable for all business debts, meaning personal assets can be at risk in the event of business failure or legal issues.
B) The business owner makes all of the decisions.
This is correct because a sole proprietorship is owned and operated by a single individual, granting them the authority to make all operational and strategic decisions without needing consensus from others.
C) It protects personal property from business liabilities.
This option is inaccurate because sole proprietorships do not offer such protection. The owner’s personal property is vulnerable to claims arising from business liabilities, as there is no legal separation between personal and business assets.
D) It conducts business as a separate legal entity.
This statement is also incorrect. A sole proprietorship does not establish the business as a separate legal entity; the business and the owner are considered the same entity legally, which results in personal liability for business actions.
Conclusion
The advantage of a sole proprietorship lies in the fact that the business owner retains full decision-making power, allowing for agility and responsiveness in business operations. Other options incorrectly suggest protections or legal separations that do not exist within this business structure, highlighting the unique characteristics of a sole proprietorship.