Review of Related Literature Financial Management
Review of Related Literature Financial Management
Financial Management
Financial management involves strategic planning of how a business should make and
spend money.This includes decisions about raising capital, lending, and budgeting money.
Financial management encompasses the creation of financial goals and analyzing the data
(Xero, n.d.). It is the commerce work that bargains with contributing the accessible budgetary
assets in a way that greater business success and return-on-investment (ROI) is accomplished.
Financial managers and professionals, organize, and control all transactions in a business,
focusing on sourcing the capital whether it is from the investment of the owners, debt financing,
business funding, open issue, or any other sources. Financial management experts are
responsible for monetary budgeting in an optimized way to guarantee more prominent monetary
steadiness and development for the organization (Pandey, 2023). Several financial tasks,
are combined into a financial management system. Through the integration of these essential
financial condition and streamlines routine tasks, such as period-end closure procedures
(Strutner, 2023).
achieve the objectives of the organization is known as strategic financial management. It's a
management strategy that develops a strategic plan using a variety of strategies and financial
instruments. It also guarantees that the plan is carried out exactly as intended and that the
decisions that help a firm fulfill its long-term objectives . It's possible that they will lose this year
in order to succeed in two, five, or even 10 years (Russell, 2023). Multiple studies have already
recognized the significance of effective financial management strategies for improving the
ensuring business continuity and improving company performance. Therefore, companies must
constantly monitor and regularly evaluate their financial management strategies to ensure
long-term success. In addition, companies must consider ethical and sustainability factors in
their financial management. Responsible and sustainable decision-making can help companies
maintain their reputation and support long-term business growth. Furthermore, financial
decisions are of significant importance in business’ several organizational activities and factors
process in the form of a proper strategy and financial management. Excellent decision making
helps the organization drive sustainable growth and organizational goals (Al Muhairi &
Nobanee, 2019). This was supplementarily supported by another study by Hasanudin (2023),
Financial analysis allows owners and managers to quantify business performance using
corporate financial formulas and ratios. Effective financial management can help SMEs perform
better. Effective financial management practices can enhance the performance of MSMEs.
MSMEs can achieve their goals and become sustainable by knowing and adopting the right
There are several financial managerial practices and activities that financial
management encompasses and among these, that are always referenced and must take into
account by all businesses are the internal control, capital management, and financial literacy.
These three key factors are among the numerous aspects that businesses should look into to
Internal controls encompass the set of policies and procedures put into effect by an
entity with the aim of guaranteeing the reliability of their financial reports, the efficiency of their
operations, and the adherence to pertinent laws and regulations (Gartner, n.d.). The primary
purpose of internal controls is to mitigate errors and irregularities, detect issues, and guarantee
the implementation of appropriate corrective measures. It is common for process owners within
departments to execute controls and engage with the control framework on a daily basis, often
without conscious awareness, as controls are inherently integrated into operational procedures
(UCSF, n.d.). In a study by Tackett et al., (2006, as cited in Alawaqleh, 2021) internal control is
a process, defined by accounting and auditing, that ensures organizational and operational
efficiency and effectiveness, reliable financial reporting and compliance with laws, regulations
and practices. According to the COSO internal control framework, there are five components of
the COSO Framework that establish the key areas where organizations need to work towards
compliance. These are the control environment, risk assessment and management, control
The components of internal control such as e.g control environment, risk analysis,
control measures, information and communication systems, supervision and monitoring are very
crucial for SMEs because they have a major impact on development of feasible activities
objectives, intended goals, and to attain the desired profitability (Garcia, et.al., 2021). Internal
control is extremely important for all types of businesses as it can give, if implemented correctly,
growth opportunities for organizations and create a similar, higher income, generate more jobs
and increase the gross national product. However, as a result of a study in the southern region
of state Mexico, this is a challenge for micro and small businesses to implement internal controls
because they lack a lot of resources, but it would have a big impact on the economy if were
correctly planned and executed (Carbajal, et.al., 2021). Another statistical test result in an
investigation in Magelang District, Indonesia shows that there is still no optimized internal
control in SMIs which is the main cause of businesses’ failure and that SMI leaders can sustain
its business by means of providing effective and developed internal control functions through
Capital Management
deployment of cash to achieve this balance and maintain healthy asset/liability ratios. Using
working capital management, businesses can ensure they have enough cash on hand to meet
their obligations and ensure steady growth for the organization (Saltarelli, 2023). An article from
London Premier Centre (2022) states that working capital management refers to all the
mentioned financial procedures that guarantee the profitability of the business, the safety of its
assets, the credit balance, and the availability of cash liabilities for ongoing projects. Effective
working capital management is essential to the treasury balancing of any business. As a result,
every business concentrates on developing precise and fundamental accounting principles for
all short-term operations, plans, client agreements, and purchasing procedures. Monitoring and
maximizing the use of current assets and liabilities is the goal of working capital management,
which seeks to maximize a company's resource utilization. The objective is to keep up enough
cash flow to cover short-term debt obligations and operating costs while maximizing profitability.
The cash conversion cycle (CCC) measures how long it takes a business to turn working capital
into cash that can be spent and working capital management is essential to this process
(Tuovila, 2023).
Roy (2023) posits that any business must have effective working capital management.
Think of it as the source of oxygen that keeps your company alive and well. However, on the
other hand, many SMEs struggle to manage the intricacies of working capital despite its
significance. In India, there are almost 6.3 million SMEs, a huge increase in recent years but
only 2.5 million of them, nevertheless, have obtained credit from official sources. These
numbers demonstrate the significant obstacles small businesses face in obtaining funding,
which are frequently caused by a lack of resources and opportunities for collaboration.
Some previous research highlighted the significant relationship and influence of working
capital management on company profitability (Nastiti, et.al., 2019; Agyemang, et.al., 2019; Al
Mufti, et.al. 2023). Braimah, et.al. (2021) research result findings indicate that WCM has a major
impact on corporate profitability, although the effects of each WCM component vary. This implies
that in order to maximize profitability, each WCM component might require a different
management approach. In a study where eight models are run within the framework of the
paper 119 industrial enterprises listed on the Vietnamese stock market were examined for nine
years, from 2010 to 2018, to determine the effects of the WCM on the firm's profitability. The
effects of the WCM, as determined by the CCC and its three components—the ARD, the INVD,
and the APD—on the profitability of the company, as indicated by the ROA (book value) and the
Tobin's Q (market value), are both negative and statistically significant. Which implies that
establishing a fair working capital policy will help companies become more profitable and add
value for investors (Boisjoly, et.al., 2020). Managers should strive to maintain as close to the
ideal level of net working capital as possible and minimize any deviations in order to optimize
profitability. Furthermore, it adds to the body of knowledge regarding the importance of effective
working capital management and reveals a concave quadratic rather than a linear relationship
between working capital management and profitability (Korent and Orsag, 2018).
Financial Literacy
According to the study of Usama et al., (2019), Financial literacy is defined as financial
knowledge and understanding. abilities that enable entrepreneurs to put effective business
plans into action They need financial management strategies for their businesses. Literacy
ability to read and write, as well as knowledge and expertise in a particular area. The degree to
short-term decision-making and sound, long-term financial planning, while keeping life events
and opportunities in mind. Economic conditions are changing. Financial literacy is gaining
interest in both developed and developing countries, including Nigeria. However, a review by
Matewos (2016) found low levels of financial literacy in both developed and developing African
countries. This highlights the need for policymakers and academics to understand the level of
financial literacy in the population to develop appropriate financial education and policy
interventions to improve personal financial literacy. Financial literacy involves discernment and
value system and behavior, positively impacting their decision-making on financial matters. The
increasing complexity of financial markets and the cost of business failure demand personal
financially literate entrepreneurs manage resources more widely, use financial information more
astutely, and improve profitability. Financial literacy also enhances participation in financial
markets, facilitates asset accumulation and consumption smoothing, and access to broader
funding sources. Financial literacy is linked to debt and investment literacy and influences the
access and utilization of financial services. Lusardi (2013) suggests that financial literacy
enables individuals to process economic information and make informed decisions about
financial planning, saving, debt management, and investment diversification. Financial literacy is
an active process with dual consecutive results, and entrepreneurs with financial knowledge and
attitude are found to implement lessons learned from financial education and decide on financial
As stated by Alcantara (2018) and Caparas and Abad (2020) studies on the impact of
financial literacy on the business performance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the
Philippines found a significant relationship between financial literacy and business performance.
Higher financial literacy led to better decision-making and improved financial management
Chavez et al. (2018) highlighted the need for financial literacy training and support for
SMEs to improve their financial decision-making skills. Various financial training programs have
been proven to drive improvement in financial management skills and practices. Mapa et al.
(2019) also analyzed the financial literacy levels of Filipino entrepreneurs and identified
significant factors influencing their financial literacy. The results showed that education and
training significantly impacted financial literacy levels, and financial literacy programs for Filipino
entrepreneurs promote financial inclusion and improve their financial decision-making skills.
Overall, these studies and literature suggest that financial literacy is essential for the success
According to Musah et al., (2018), their study aims to address the lack of literature on the
financial management practices of SMEs in Ghana and their impact on growth and profitability.
Finance management practices refer to the management of funds and their use to achieve
organizational objectives and maximize shareholders' value. These practices include accounting
reporting and analysis, and capital structure management. Financial management is viewed as
the creation of wealth, planning and monitoring of a business's financial assets, improving
profitability, and generating the required return to capital providers. It encompasses all aspects
of management that affect a company's finances and what is needed to achieve the overall
objective of the organization. Accounting information systems are essential for recording and
statements for users. Research on SMEs globally emphasizes the importance of accounting
information systems for their survival and growth. Financial statements provide valuable
information for planning, evaluation, and decision-making. Overall, financial management
practices encompass all aspects of management that affect a company's finances and what is
needed to achieve its overall objectives. Financial Management Practices, according to Isak et
al., (2019), has significantly improved the financial performance of enterprises. The ability of the
company to manage working capital and make investment decisions remains strong. becoming
better. Eton et al., (2018) and Matei et al., (2021) define business as Organizations should
devote more time and resources to providing their employees with the fundamental financial
management knowledge and skills they need to embrace business sustainability. They must
have fundamental financial management knowledge and skills in order to succeed in business.
their financial management skills as explained by Bismark et al., (2018). The capability of
injecting the appropriate amount of capital into a business and efficiently assisting in the The
Companies should implement optimal financial decisions aimed at improving their firms'
financial performance and also adopt financial management practices that aid in the expansion
of their firm's market share and Profits (Muguchia, 2018). Similarly, (Marus Eton et al..., 2020)
claims that there is a need for business firms to align their business operations with the best
financial management practices and train their employees on the internal control activities that
ensure adherence to accounting and financial record principles. As stated by (Yohanes et al.,
2018), an effective financial management practice may result in the expansion of Small-scale
enterprise success and profit'. These financial management Small-scale practices in resource
allocation, procurement, and cash budgeting rotate. entrepreneurs. It is critical for small
businesses to ensure that they have adequate and consistent funding. supply of financial
resources to run their activities in order to get good returns. A well-known financial institution
Mulyungi, 2018).
As indicated in the study of Pagaddut (2021), MSMEs play a crucial role in the
Philippine economy, contributing 35.7% to the national value-added. Despite their size, they only
employ 5.510,760, accounting for 62.40% of total employment. MSMEs drive innovation, which
in turn drives country-wide prosperity. The Philippine laws, such as the Magna Carta for Small
Enterprises, the Barangay Micro Business Enterprises Act of 2002, and the Go Negosyo Act,
prioritize and promote MSMEs. The MSME Development Program 2017-2022 and the ASEAN
Strategic Action Plan for SME Development 2016-2025 aim to empower MSMEs and promote
resources, limited market access, and limited knowledge and competencies. Financial
performance is another significant concern for MSMEs, as it reflects how an entity uses its
resources to achieve its entrepreneurial goals. By focusing on financial factors that can boost
MSMEs' financial performance, they can overcome challenges and contribute to the nation's
economic growth.
The study of Pagaddut (2021) reveals that financial ratios such as Debt Ratio, Asset
Turnover, and Gross Profit Margin significantly impact the financial performance of Philippine
MSMEs. It suggests that these entities should remain self-sufficient and avoid excessive debts,
create contingency funds, and guard against default risks. MSMEs should be optimally operated
to generate sales by efficiently employing their resources, engaging with larger and better
customers, and selling only quality essentials. They should also manage controllable costs of
sales by reducing discretionary expenses and ensuring the quality of outputs. The study
concludes that there is a factor structure that can explain the variation among financial factors
affecting Philippine MSMEs' financial performance. They should design their planning,
assets to secure business continuity in the long run, and efficiently employ their assets to
achieve sound liquidity and profitability. The study also suggests a cohesive clustering that can
separate the financial factors affecting Philippine MSMEs' financial performance. They should
work to sustain good ratios and improve poor ratios, analyze their strengths and weaknesses,
and enhance entrepreneurial potentials and productivity while eliminating business inefficiencies
and ineffectiveness.
Forecasting
impacts business growth, while ineffective use can negatively impact growth. Forecasts,
whether financial or specific to business, are informed guesses. Most forecasts fall
under two overarching approaches: qualitative and quantitative. Qualitative methods are
concerned with data and avoid fickleness in people. Significant demand and trend
business levels, competition, strikes, and large economic swings. To handle the
techniques have been developed in recent years. Each has its own special use, and
care must be taken to select the correct techniques for particular applications. The
historical data, accuracy, desirability, time period, cost/benefit, and time available for
analysis. A manager should not assume that when asking a forecaster to prepare a
specific projection, the request itself provides sufficient information for the forecaster to
do the job. Successful forecasting begins with collaboration between the manager and
the forecaster, answering main forecast object questions. A decision maker can help the
forecaster formulate the forecasting problem properly, gaining more confidence in the
forecasts provided and using them more effectively. The forecaster must bring together
The study of Vidhate (n.d.) indicate that financial forecasting is a crucial exercise for
information about the overall financial health and efficiency of the business. Even a
essential for businesses, as it helps keep a tight grip on expenditures during low
revenue periods. A structured financial plan with a cash cushion helps the business
owner sleep better at night and take advantage of opportunities, such as purchasing
inventory from a supplier at temporarily reduced prices. A long-range view allows the
business owner to better see what expenditures are needed to keep the company on a
growth track and stay ahead of competitors. The financial plan serves as a blueprint for
small business owners, as it helps them identify the most important expenditures that
This process is even used by even the largest, most well-capitalized corporations,
comparing the cost to the benefits of each proposed expenditure. Measuring progress is
also important for small business owners, especially in the early stages of their
ventures. Seeing that actual results are better than forecast provides encouragement
and a chart showing steady growth in revenues or a rising cash balance is a motivating
factor. The financial plan helps the owner see that the business is on its way to being a
success, providing clarity of hard data that helps the business grow and succeed.
The financial forecasting exercise aimed to assess the viability of new entrants in the
child restraints market in the Philippines. The proponents identified four established
companies from an international list, including Safe Ride News Publication and
Manufacturers Alliance for Child Passenger Safety Members, and identified four
companies based on market share and popularity in shopping malls and online
platforms. These four companies make up over 95% of the current total market. The
Securities and Exchange Commission provided financial statements for the fiscal years
2012 to 2015. A financial analysis was conducted for these companies, including
computations for return on equity, net profit margins, and financial ratios.
As stated in the study of Atienza et al., (2018), the financial forecasting exercise
suggests that current operating companies in the child restraint business in philippines
are stable and experiencing yearly growth. New entrants could be both profitable and
sustainable, potentially lowering the market price for child restraints and protecting more
children from traffic injuries and death. Road traffic injuries are a major public health
problem, accounting for 1.2 million deaths yearly and costing some countries 1-2% of
their gross national product. Child restraint laws are known to lead to increased use of
child restraint, making them an effective measure to reduce deaths and injuries among
children. It is crucial to enact and implement child restraint legislation in the Philippines,
including measures to increase and protect new companies in the market, ensure
everyone can afford a child restraint, and make every Filipino child safer in vehicles.
Cash Flow
inflows and outflows. It’s reported in a cash flow statement, also known as a statement
of cash flows. When you want to measure a business’s financial health, one of the first
places to look is its cash flow. CFOs and finance teams must focus on increasing cash
flow and act quickly if it falls short of the level the company has determined is necessary
to maximize input and outflow. A business's cycle of cash inflows and outflows can be
seen by doing a cash flow analysis to examine the areas of the business that may have
an impact on cash flow. Investors and company executives can make the finest financial
judgments possible with the help of this study. The ultimate objective is to guarantee
business is enormous. It tracks spending and forecasts near-term cash flow to meet
essential activities. The cash flow statement is a crucial tool in valuing a company and
business's health, profitability, and prospects for the future. A cash flow statement is
significant in a business because it calculates the cash inflows and outflows for the
specified time period. The corporation uses this information to guide both its short- and
long-term planning. Additionally, it aids in determining the ideal amount of cash and
handling its finances, especially for new and small- to medium-sized businesses
(SMEs). In fact, poor cash flow optimization is the reason behind 82% of small business
failures in the first five years, according to Visual Capitalist (2017). Cash flow
optimization, the business is more likely to be resilient in the face of natural challenges
such as pandemics, global recessions, and other unforeseen circumstances. Cash flow
optimization enables you to pay your invoices and expenditures on time and
Investree.ph (n.d.)
if unreported funds are being utilized to settle debt. The profit-or-loss statement does
not show how a firm uses cash to finance capital expenditures, increase inventory, or
give credit to customers. If the owner is just concerned with the bottom line, excellent
earnings may be hiding an underlying cash shortage and liquidity issue from view on the
profit-and-loss statement. As stated by Murcia (2018), cash flow is relatively (but not
completely) free of the drawbacks of the accrual concept; it is less likely to be affected
by variations in accounting principles and estimates, making it more useful than the
reported income in assessing liquidity and solvency. The cash flow statement can also
help business owners make financing and investing decisions. When owners decide on
the best approach to grow the business, they can use the cash flow statement to decide
how to fund their growth. Owners can opt to fund their growth through operations—if the
equity, or both.
Sales
Great Learning Team (2021), defines sales as an activity between two or more
parties where the buyer receives a product, service, or assets in exchange for money.
Typically, sales are between seller and buyer, in which goods or assets are exchanged
for money or other assets. According to Tamplin (2023), sales are not only a basic
economic activity but also an integral part of business operations. It encompasses all
a product or service. Sales is a broad and intricate field that involves much more than
just exchanging goods and services for cash. It's a thorough process that begins with
determining the needs of the consumer, moves on to providing the best solution, and
According to Sethi (2023), sales play a crucial role in penetrating new markets
and expanding the customer base. Effective sales strategies enable businesses to
identify target audiences, build relationships with potential customers, and convert leads
into loyal clients. Sales teams may propel company success by gaining new clients and
capturing market share by comprehending the needs of their target audience and
skillfully conveying the benefits of their goods and services. Businesses may build a
solid basis for growth, remain ahead of the competition, and forge enduring
relationships with customers by realizing the value of sales and investing in efficient
sales methods. Achieving sustainable profitability and realizing the full potential of the
ensure that they stay one step ahead. Enterprises that allocate resources towards
Training and development are essential if you want to guarantee steady growth and
leverage the ability, vigor, and experience of your present sales staff. There are several
employee and customer retention, and the sales process. Actionable sales training
programs can lead to better and higher closure rates of sales opportunities.
Offering discounts can have both positive and negative impacts on a company’s
profits. On one hand, discounts can attract customers and increase sales volume,
leading to higher revenue. An article created by TGG Accounting (n.d.), states that
encourage customer purchases, but it can impact the overall profitability of a business.
However, because the discounted price lowers the total revenue per transaction,
discounts can also result in lower profit margins. Accounting for sales discounts is vital
for firms to make educated decisions about pricing and promotions. Businesses should
take into account elements including the cost of goods sold, marketing and promotion
costs, and the effect on consumer loyalty and repeat business when assessing the
responsibilities of owners and business managers. They must consider the potential
consequences of their management decisions on profits, cash flow and on the financial
condition of the company. The activities of every aspect of a business have an impact
on the company's financial performance and must be evaluated and controlled by the
business owner. The majority of businesses incur losses and have negative cash flows
when they first launch. Effective financial management is crucial at this time. Even
though they are spending more money than they are bringing in during the first few
months of the business, managers still need to make sure they have enough cash on
hand to pay suppliers and staff. This means that in order to have a sense of how much
capital will be required to sustain the business until it turns a profit, the owner must
functional areas of management that is critical to the success of micro and small
financial analysis, and control to attain an optimum level of funds. Because of the
terms of its promotion and development. The best financial outcomes are ultimately a
product of the various skills that financial management tactics foster. A company's
control. MSMEs have always had difficulty because they lack the understanding
A study created by Nitto (2020) explores the financial management strategies that
and profitability to sustain business in their first 5 years of business establishment and
beyond. After reviewing the study's findings, current and prospective small
entertainment business owners can use the three financial management tactics to
launch and maintain success. The study's findings led to the development of three
financial management strategies: (a) financing and financial management strategy; (b)
using accounting and company management software; and (c) varying sources of
income. Small business owners, both established and aspiring, can implement these
three tactics to boost profitability and productivity and maintain their enterprises.
According to Anoos et al., (2020), their study aimed to unveil the financial
Philippines. The study revealed that the financial management system was moderately
practiced. It was concluded that the MSMEs management does not practice the
generally accepted standards on the financial management and control of the business,
which poses some threats to its sustainability considering that their predominant size,
the volume of assets, and revenue earned is low. The researchers highly advise local
aware that it may be difficult to establish well-designed controls with little funding. On
the other hand, if shortcomings are not fixed, the company may suffer losses and