See Also:
Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
Financial Accounting Standards Board
International Financial Reporting Standards
Depreciation
Financial AssetsAccounting Asset DefinitionIn accounting, an asset has two criteria: it must be owned or controlled by a company, and it must be expected to generate future benefit for that company.
Assets on Balance SheetA company records the value of its assets on the balance sheet. Assets can be classified as current assets or as non-current assets.
Current assets, such as accounts receivable and inventory, are expected to be used up or converted to cash within one year or one operating cycle.
Non-current assets, also called fixed assets, such as plants and equipment, have useful lives longer than one year or one operating cycle.
Tangible – Intangible Assets can be categorized as tangible or intangible. Both types are reported on the balance sheet.
Tangible assets are physical assets, such as land, machinery, and inventory. The value of these assets is depreciated over their useful lives.
Intangible assets are nonphysical assets, such as brand name, intellectual property, and goodwill. Certain intangible assets, such as goodwill, are amortized over their lifespan. Intangible assets can be either definite or indefinite. Definite intangible assets have a limited lifespan. Indefinite intangible assets exist as long as the company that owns them is a going concern.