Business Fundamentals for Young Adults

Business Fundamentals for Young Adults

Objective

Provide young adults with a foundational understanding of corporate structures, taxation, and business entities to prepare them for entrepreneurial ventures or informed participation in the business world.

Program Components:

Introduction to Business Entities:

  • Overview of different business entities (sole proprietorships, partnerships, LLCs, corporations).
  • Pros and cons of each entity type.
  • Real-world examples and case studies.

Corporate Structures and Governance:

  • Understanding the structure of a corporation (board of directors, executives, shareholders).
  • Roles and responsibilities within a corporation.
  • How corporate decisions are made and implemented.

Business Formation:

  • Steps to start a business: registration, choosing a business name, and legal requirements.
  • Writing a business plan and understanding business licenses and permits.

Taxation Basics:

  • Types of taxes businesses are subject to (income tax, payroll tax, sales tax, etc.).
  • How different business entities are taxed.
  • Understanding tax deductions, credits, and liabilities.

Accounting and Financial Management:

  • Basics of accounting principles and financial statements (balance sheet, income statement, cash flow statement).
  • Bookkeeping essentials and tracking business expenses.
  • Introduction to financial software and tools.

Legal and Compliance Issues:

  • Understanding contracts, intellectual property (trademarks, patents, copyrights), and business law.
  • Compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
  • Risk management and liability insurance.

Corporate Social Responsibility and Ethics:

  • The role of ethics in business practices.
  • Corporate social responsibility (CSR) and its impact on businesses and communities.
  • Case studies of ethical dilemmas and CSR initiatives.

Practical Applications and Workshops:

  • Business Simulation: Participants create a mock business plan, choose a business entity, and simulate financial transactions.
  • Tax Filing Workshop: Hands-on session on filling out basic tax forms and understanding tax filings.
  • Guest Speakers: Local entrepreneurs, accountants, or business attorneys share insights and answer questions.

Career Paths and Networking:

  • Exploring career opportunities in business and accounting.
  • How to network effectively and find mentors in the business world.

Wrap-Up & Certification:

  • Review of key concepts and skills learned.
  • Final project presentations where participants present their mock business plans.
  • Certificates of completion and feedback session.
6-8 weeks, with weekly 2-hour sessions. (Program lengths and sessions can be adjusted)
16-25 years

Materials Needed:

Evaluation: