Hierarchical Organization Structures
Hierarchical structure is typical for larger businesses and organizations. It relies on having different levels of authority with a chain of command connecting multiple management levels within the organization. The decision-making process is typically formal and flows from the top down.
Hierarchical structure is typical for larger businesses and organizations. It relies on having different levels of authority with a chain of command connecting multiple management levels within the organization. The decision-making process is typically formal and flows from the top down. This creates a tall organizational structure where each level of management has clear lines of responsibility and control. As the organization grows, the number of levels increases and the structure grows taller.
Often, the number of managers in each level gives the organization the resemblance of a pyramid. This structure gets wider as you move down - usually with one chief executive at the top, followed by senior management, middle managers and finally workers. Employees' roles are clearly defined within the organization, as is the nature of their relationship with other employees.
Two popular types of hierarchical organizational designs are Functional Structures and Divisional Structures.
1. Functional Structure
In a Functional Structure, functions (accounting, marketing, H.R., and so on) are separate, each led by a senior executive who reports to the CEO. This can be a very efficient way of working, allowing for economies of scale as specialists work for the whole organization. There should be clear lines of communication and accountability. However, there's a danger that functional goals can end up overshadowing the overall aims of the organization. And there may be little scope for creative interplay between people in different teams.
2. Divisional Structure
In a Divisional Structure, the company is organized by office or customer location. Each division is autonomous and has a manager who reports to the CEO. A key advantage is that each division is free to concentrate on its own performance, and its people can build up strong local links. However, there may be some duplication of duties. People may also feel disconnected from the company as a whole, and enjoy fewer opportunities to gain training across the business.
The Simple/Flat Structure is common in small businesses. It may have only two or three levels, and people tend to work as a large team, with everyone reporting to one person. It can be a very efficient way of working, with clear responsibilities – as well as a useful level of flexibility.
A potential disadvantage, however, is that this structure can hold back progress when the company grows to a point where the founder or CEO can no longer make all the decisions.
Related Links
You May Also Like
-
GL - Different Type of Journals
Two basic types of journals exist: general and special. In this article, the learner will understand the meaning of journalizing and the steps required to create a journal entry. This article will also discuss the types of journals and will help you understand general journals & special journals. In the end, we will explain the impact of automated ERPs on the Journalizing Process.
-
What is Accounting & Book Keeping
Accounting is a process designed to capture the economic impact of everyday transactions. Each day, many events and activities occur in an entity, these events and activities are in the normal course of business; however, each of these events may or may not have an economic impact. Events or activities that have an effect on the accounting equation are accounting events.
-
GL - Different Accounting Methods
The accounting method refers to the rules a company follows in reporting revenues and expenses. Understand the two common systems of bookkeeping, single, and double-entry accounting systems. Learners will also understand the two most common accounting methods; cash and accrual methods of accounting and the advantages and disadvantages of using them.
-
Different Types of Organizational Structures
Modern business organizations run multiple product and service lines, operate globally, leverage large number of registered legal entities, and operate through complex matrix relationships. To stay competitive in the current global business environment, they must often develop highly diverse and complex organizational structures that cross international borders.
-
In this article, we will describe how to determine if an account needs adjustment entries due to the application of the matching concept. Learners will get a thorough understanding of the adjustment process and the nature of the adjustment entries. We will discuss the four types of adjustments resulting from unearned revenue, prepaid expenses, accrued expenses, and accrued revenue.
-
A Company (also called corporation) may be understood as an association of persons in which money is contributed by them, to carry on some business or undertaking. Persons who contribute the money are called the shareholders or the members of the company. A corporation is an artificial being, invisible, intangible and existing only in contemplation of law. Being the mere creature of law, it possesses only those properties which the charter of its creation confers upon it.
-
Functional Organizational Structures
A functional organizational structure is a structure that consists of activities such as coordination, supervision and task allocation. The organizational structure determines how the organization performs or operates. The term organizational structure refers to how the people in an organization are grouped and to whom they report.
-
In this article we will help you understand the double-entry accounting system and state the accounting equation and define each element of the equation. Then we will describe and illustrate how business transactions can be recorded in terms of the resulting change in the elements of the accounting equation.
-
What Is a General Ledger? General Ledger (also known in accounting as the GL or the Nominal Ledger) is at the heart of any accounting system. A general ledger is the master set of accounts that summarize all transactions occurring within an entity. Ledger is the skillful grouping and presentation of the Journal entries. Learn the accounting fundamentals, general ledger process, and general ledger flow.
-
The purpose of the general ledger is to sort transaction information into meaningful categories and charts of accounts. The general ledger sorts information from the general journal and converts them into account balances and this process converts data into information, necessary to prepare financial statements. This article explains what a general ledger is and some of its major functionalities.
