The article is aimed at deepening the theoretical and methodical approaches to the formation of a system for management of business activity of production and trading enterprises in the contemporary conditions of managing. Features of the system approach to management have been determined, a model of the system for management of business activity, taking into consideration specifics of activity of production and trade enterprises, has been developed. A characterization of the common functions of management of business activity has been provided. The place of economic analysis in the system for management of business activity of enterprise has been substantiated. The basic principles of management, which should ensure a growth of business activity of production and trading enterprise, have been suggested. Features of each subsystem for management of business activity have been considered. Prospect for further research in this direction is clarifying the system of indicators for evaluation of the factor interrelationships and methods for research on business activity, which would provide using the results of these calculations as the substantiation criteria for more meaningful managerial decisions, providing more effective practice of production and trade enterprises.