5 Points to Cover in Fixed Assets Capitalization Policy

Meaning and Purpose:

Fixed assets are defined as part of assets with an economic life of more than 12 months and are acquired for a particular amount or more as per company policy. These are capitalized and depreciated for financial statement purposes.

Fixed assets include tangible assets such as land, buildings, equipment, plants, and machinery. When these assets are purchased for business use, fixed assets capitalization policy should be followed.

A fixed assets capitalization policy outlines the standard procedures and guidance on recording these assets to the company’s books of accounts.

The policy establishes the method of maintaining fixed assets information and capitalization amount to determine the fixed assets.

The important point is to note that meaning and purpose also form part of fixed assets capitalization policy, but here we will discuss other important contents as below:

1) Maintenance of Fixed Assets List

An administrative officer maintains a fixed asset list. The Board of Directors shall review it at the close of the financial year to ensure that documents are updated and accurate.

The various particulars that should be contained in the worksheet of each asset on the list of fixed assets are:

  • Description of asset
  • Assigned asset number
  • Asset category
  • Asset’s cost or acquisition value
  • Asset’s salvage value
  • The estimated useful life of assets.
  • The date on which asset was purchased and placed in service

2) Capitalization thresholds, methods, and procedure

Capitalization policy devises a threshold for determining whether assets are expensed or capitalized. The threshold is based on the cost of assets, say tangible assets bought above $1,000 would be capitalized.

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Fixed assets are recorded at historical cost on the date acquired. Cost includes secondary costs such as shipping and delivery, installation, and other costs necessary to bring to present condition for use.

The method also states that the assets above 12 months of useful life are capitalized irrespective of acquisition or production cost.

3) Useful Life

The period during which the fixed assets provide benefits is called useful life. The asset’s useful life is estimated per various physical factors such as physical wear and tear and technological changes, which impact the economic benefits capacity of the fixed assets.

For instance, the useful life can be estimated as per general business norms as:

Equipment Useful Life
Computers 4 years
Furniture 8 years
Vehicles 5 years

4) Depreciation Method

As per accounting standards and conventions, several methods can depreciate fixed assets.

Various methods include a straight-line method of depreciation, reduced balance method, and double declining method, among others. The most commonly used are straight line and reduced balance methods of depreciation.

For instance, if the straight-line depreciation method is used, the fixed asset is written off evenly over its useful life. The amount of depreciation is determined by dividing an asset’s cost reduced by the salvage value, if any, by its estimated life.

At the end of the asset’s useful life, the salvage value will remain in the case of the straight-line method of depreciation.

5) Record-keeping for compliances and audits

The four things necessary to be seen are authorization, record-keeping, safeguarding, and verification. It can be explained as under:

  • Who has authorized to purchase of the fixed assets?
  • Invoices substantiating the purchase of fixed assets.
  • Entries made in the ledger accounts
  • What sorts of safeguard measures have been kept in place to protect assets from unnecessary tear, theft, or any other damages?
  • The proper paper trail on the purchases, repairs, renovations, use of assets by keeping the logs, etc.
  • Generally, the records regarding fixed assets for audit compliance are kept for 8 years. However, this may differ as per various laws and regulations. The company may also frame policy in this regard.
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