Asset

Encyclopedia : A : AS : ASS : Asset

This article is about the business definition. For the definition as used by intelligence agencies, see Asset (Intelligence). For the Egyptian software company, see ASSET Technology Group

In business and accounting an asset is anything owned which can produce future economic benefit, whether in possession or by right to take possession, by a person or a group acting together, e.g. a company, the measurement of which can be expressed in monetary terms. Asset is listed on the balance sheet. It has a normal balance of debit.

Similarly, in economics an asset is any form in which wealth can be held.

Probably the most accepted accounting definition of asset is the one used by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB). The following is a quotation from IFRS Framework:

"An asset is a resource controlled by the enterprise as a result of past events and from which future economic benefits are expected to flow to the enterprise." [F.49(a)]

Contents

1 Classification of assets

1.1 US GAAP

1.1.1 Current assets
1.1.2 Long-term investments
1.1.3 Fixed assets
1.1.4 Intangible assets
1.1.5 Other assets

2 See also
3 External links

Classification of assets

Assets may be classified in many ways. In a company's balance sheet certain divisions are required by generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), which vary from country to country.

US GAAP

U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) are currently promulgated and codified by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) at the pleasure of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the governmental body authorized by the Securities Acts of 1933 and 1934 to prescribe accounting principles to be employed in public financial transactions.

Under US GAAP, the fundamental definition of an asset is as follows: "Assets are probable future economic benefits obtained or controlled by a particular entity as a result of past transactions or events." (Statement of Financial Accounting Concepts No. 6, paragraph 25)

The following is an example of classification according to US GAAP.

Current assets

Current assets are cash and other assets expected to be converted to cash, sold, or consumed either in a year or in the operating cycle. These assets are continually turned over in the course of a business during normal business activity. There are 5 major items included into current assets:

Cash - it is the most liquid asset, which includes currency, deposit accounts, and negotiable instruments (e.g., money orders, checks, bank drafts).
Short-term investments - include securities bought and held for sale in the near future to generate income on short-term price differences (trading securities).
Receivables - usually reported as net of allowance for uncollectible accounts.
Inventory - trading these assets is a normal business of a company. The inventory value reported on the balance sheet is usually the historical cost or fair market value, whichever is lower. This is known as the "lower of cost or market" rule.
Prepaid expenses - these are expenses paid in cash and recorded as assets before they are used or consumed (a common example is insurance). See also adjusting entries.

The phrase net current assets (also called working capital) is often used and refers to the total of current assets less the total of current liabilities.

Long-term investments

Often referred to simply as "investments." Long-term investments are to be held for many years and are not intended to be disposed in the near future. This group usually consists of four types of investments:

Investments in securities, such as bonds, common stock, or long-term notes.
Investments in fixed assets not used in operations (e.g., land held for sale).
Investments in special funds (e.g., sinking funds or pension funds).
Investments in subsidiaries or affiliated companies.

Different forms of insurance may also be treated as long term investments.

Fixed assets

Also referred to as PPE (property, plant, and equipment). Assets which are purchased for continued and long-term use in earning profit in a business. This group includes land, buildings, machinery, furniture, tools, wasting resources (timberland, minerals), etc. They are written off against profits over their anticipated life by charging depreciation expenses (with exception of land). Accumulated depreciation is shown in the face of the balance sheet or in the notes.

These are also called capital assets in management accounting, especially when intangibles are considered.

Intangible assets

Intangible assets lack physical substance and usually are very hard to evaluate. They include patents, copyrights, franchises, goodwill, trademarks, trade names, etc. These assets are (according to US GAAP) amortized to expense over 5 to 40 years with exception of goodwill.

Other assets

This section includes a high variety of assets, most commonly:

long-term prepaid expenses
long-term receivables
intangible assets (if they represent just a very small fraction of total assets)
property held for sale.

In a lot of cases this section is too general and broad, because assets could be classified into four above categories.

External links

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