Differentiate Sole Trader, partnership, limited companies

For Sole Trader

For partnership

Business which is owned and controlled

By on person

Business doesn’t require capital

Run effectively by one person

For advantages

Easy set up

Low overhead costs

No legal formalities

Owner’s freedom

For disadvantages

Lack of capital

Stress

Work long hours

Business no proper long term

Owner liable for losses

Number of owners - 2-20

Numbers of owners -1
liability - unlimited
profit - solely to owner

Advantages

Capital is contributed by partners

Liability- unlimited

Profit - share among partners

Legal requirements- none

profit share according to capital

disadvantages

difficult to obtain extra capital

a partnership is not legal

For limited companies

advantages

shareholders have limited liability

easier to raise capital

employ specialist staff

company name protected by law