AQA GCSE Business Studies

Limited companies — Ltd vs PLC

AQA GCSE Business Studies revision on Limited companies — Ltd vs PLC. Aligned to the AQA GCSE Business 8132 specification. This bank has 10 practice questions on this topic.

Sample questions (3 of 10)

  1. Question 1

    Which of the following is a primary requirement for a business to become a public limited company (PLC)?

    • A) A minimum share capital of 50,000 pounds
    • B) At least 50 shareholders
    • C) A turnover exceeding 1 million pounds
    • D) Employment of over 250 staff
    Show answer

    Answer: A minimum share capital of 50,000 pounds

    In the UK, a company must have an allotted share capital of at least 50,000 pounds to be registered as a PLC. This ensures that only businesses of a certain scale can offer shares to the general public, providing a level of financial security for potential investors.

  2. Question 2

    What is the term for the document that must be filed with the Registrar of Companies to incorporate a limited company?

    Show answer

    Answer: Articles of Association

    The Articles of Association act as the constitutional document for a company, outlining the internal rules for management and decision-making. Along with the Memorandum of Association, it is a legal requirement for the formation of any limited company in the UK.

  3. Question 3

    Which of these is a significant disadvantage of converting a private limited company (Ltd) into a public limited company (PLC)?

    • A) Increased risk of hostile takeovers
    • B) Loss of limited liability status
    • C) Requirement to pay higher corporation tax
    • D) Inability to issue new shares
    Show answer

    Answer: Increased risk of hostile takeovers

    When a company becomes a PLC, its shares are available to the general public on the stock market. This allows outside investors to purchase a large portion of shares without the current board's approval, potentially leading to a change in ownership or control against the wishes of the original directors.

Want to test yourself on the remaining cards for this topic?

7 more questions on Limited companies — Ltd vs PLC — plus mistakes tracking and spaced repetition across the whole Business Studies spec.