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Sophisticated enough for wall street, user-friendly enough for main street.
We undertake detailed modelling of fixed asset depreciation and lease calculation rules for both accounting and tax.
We monitor changes to tax rulings and accounting standards like IFRS and US GAAP so you don’t have to.
And, of course, we are ISO27001 certified.
Fixed assets in businesses, also referred to as tangible assets, are the enduring physical assets possessed by a company that are not meant to be sold as part of regular business activities. These assets are vital for the smooth functioning of the company and are not anticipated to be converted into cash within a year. Fixed assets in small businesses play a crucial role in generating income, sustaining daily operations, and fostering expansion. Some typical instances of fixed assets encompass buildings, land, machinery, vehicles, and equipment.
So what are fixed assets in business? Fixed assets serve several key purposes within a business context:
Fixed assets play a crucial role in the production process and are essential for delivering goods and services. Examples of such fixed assets in small businesses include manufacturing equipment within a factory, vehicles used for transportation, and specialised machinery utilised in construction.
Acquiring fixed assets usually requires a substantial investment of capital. Nevertheless, these assets are anticipated to deliver long-term value, thereby enhancing the company’s profitability and competitive edge.
Fixed assets are initially recorded on the balance sheet at their original cost, after deducting the accumulated depreciation. Although these assets decrease in value over time, they play a crucial role in safeguarding the company’s financial well-being by facilitating revenue generation and operational efficiency.
Utilising fixed assets as collateral can enhance the chances of securing financing from lenders, as their physical presence offers a sense of security to creditors. This, in turn, can lead to more favorable loan or credit terms.
Accurate knowledge of the structure, worth, and state of fixed assets is imperative for making strategic choices. The management depends on precise asset information to evaluate performance, strategise for enhancements or substitutions, allocate resources efficiently, and make well-informed investment choices.
Businesses must ensure accurate accounting of fixed assets in their financial statements in order to comply with accounting standards and regulatory obligations. This entails reporting depreciation expenses and maintaining comprehensive documentation for audits and tax purposes.
Fixed assets in accounting are considered as long-term assets that hold substantial value and usefulness for a business. Fixed assets in small businesses are subject to specific principles and standards that aim to accurately depict their worth, utilisation, and influence on financial statements. Let’s delve into the accounting treatment of fixed assets:
Upon acquiring a fixed asset, the business records it on the balance sheet at its historical cost. This cost encompasses all expenses directly related to preparing the asset for its intended use and location. Such costs usually consist of the purchase price, shipping and handling fees, installation charges, and any other essential expenditures.
Fixed assets undergo depreciation as their value decreases gradually over time due to factors like wear and tear, obsolescence, or other reasons. Depreciation costs are recorded on the income statement to distribute the asset’s cost evenly over its expected useful life. Different techniques, such as straight-line depreciation, declining balance method, or units of production method, can be employed to determine depreciation.
Fixed assets are usually recorded on the balance sheet at their initial cost minus the accumulated depreciation. Nevertheless, if the fair value of the asset drops considerably below its carrying amount, impairment losses are acknowledged to decrease the value of the asset.
Upon disposal or sale of a fixed asset, the remaining book value (original cost minus accumulated depreciation) is eliminated from the balance sheet, while any gain or loss from the transaction is reflected in the income statement.
Businesses must provide detailed information regarding their fixed assets in their financial statements. This includes disclosing the type and value of the assets, the depreciation methods employed, the estimated useful lives of the assets, and any notable impairments or disposals that occurred during the reporting period.
Separate from your broad-use accounting for small businesses general ledger software (e.g. QuickBooks Online, Xero, or an ERP your organisation utilises), specialist and best-of-breed fixed asset accounting software is crucial to efficiently and accurately managing the often complex process of fixed asset accounting.
The significance of utilising specialist accounting software for businesses for fixed asset management cannot be emphasised enough. If not properly managed, fixed assets can become a burden rather than an advantage.
AssetAccountant for USA business equips businesses of all sizes with the necessary tools to monitor, maintain, and dispose of their fixed assets. This encompasses tracking the acquisition and disposal of assets, as well as maintaining accurate records of their location, condition, and value. By utilising our software, businesses can guarantee that their fixed asset depreciation and lease accounting is is effective, accurate and efficient.
Relying on spreadsheets or other manual processes to manage fixed assets can be both risky and inefficient. Spreadsheets are prone to errors, and it can be challenging to keep them updated. Manual processes are also time-consuming, and it can be difficult to ensure that all the required information is included.
With AssetAccountant businesses can automate many of the tasks associated with fixed asset management, saving significant time and minimising the risk of errors.
AssetAccountant is certified to the stringent and internationally recognised ISO27001 data security standard.
There are numerous benefits to using cloud-based software for accounting for small business instead of incumbent (and surprisingly still quite common) use of antiquated desktop-based solutions.
One major advantage is the accessibility of cloud-based software. It can be accessed from any device with an internet connection, allowing employees to easily access and update information from anywhere they are located.
It is especially advantageous to have accounting software for multiple businesses with multiple locations or employees who work remotely. It eliminates the need for employees to be physically present in the office to access and update asset information.
Another advantage of cloud-based accounting software in small businesses is the lower upfront costs. Unlike desktop-based software, there is no need to purchase and install software on individual computers. This not only saves money but also reduces the time and effort required for installation and maintenance.
Furthermore, cloud-based software offers automatic updates and backups. This ensures that businesses always have the latest version of the software without the need for manual updates. It also provides peace of mind knowing that data is regularly backed up and secure.
