Starting and Running a Business/Functions of a Business

Functions of a business
Most businesses must accomplish similar functions regardless of size, legal structure or industry. These functions are often organized into departments. Common departments include (but are not limited to):
 * Accountancy : typically responsible for financial reporting, financial controls and the raising of the capital necessary to run the business.
 * Human Resources : typically responsible for hiring, firing, payroll, benefits, etc.
 * Marketing and sales : responsible for selling the business' goods or services to the customer and for managing the relationships with the customer
 * Marketing : typically responsible for promoting interest in, and generating demand for, the business' products or services, and positioning them within the market
 * Sales : finding likely purchasers and obtaining their agreement (known as a contract) to buy the business' products or services


 * Operations : makes the product or delivers the service
 * Production, costs, and pricing|Production : produces the raw materials into the delivered goods, if they require processing
 * Customer service : supports customers who need help with the goods or services


 * Procurement : responsible for acquiring the goods and services necessary for the business. Sometimes organized as:
 * Strategic sourcing : determines the business' needs and plans for acquiring the necessary raw materials and services for the business
 * Purchasing : processes the purchase orders and related transactions


 * Research and Development : tests to create new products and to determine their viability (e.g. pilot plants)
 * Information Technology : manages the business' computer and data assets
 * Communications/Public Relations : responsible for communicating to the outside world
 * Administration : provides administrative support to the other departments (such as typing, filing, etc)
 * Internal Audit : an independent control function typically accountable to the Board of Directors for reporting on the proper functioning of the other departments

Management is sometimes listed as a "department" but typically refers to the top level of leadership within the business regardless of their functional role.