Depreciation Flashcards
What is the purpose of depreciation?
To allocate the cost of an asset to the periods of its useful life in a systematic and rational manner.
Part of the matching principle - expense an asset in the period in which it was used.
How does depreciation relate to revenues?
Depreciation matches expenses against revenues over the periods that benefit from the asset’s use.
What types of assets are depreciated?
Tangible assets with limited lives are depreciated.
For intangible assets, we use Amortization expense, but the same process applies.
What is the process for natural resources?
For natural resources, we use Depletion expense, but the same process applies.
What is service life?
The time an asset will be used by a company.
What is physical life?
How long an asset will last.
How is depreciation normally computed?
Unless otherwise stipulated, depreciation is normally computed on the basis of the nearest full month.
What is the depreciable base?
Original cost minus salvage value.
What factors are involved in the depreciation process?
- What is the depreciable base to be used?
- What is the asset’s useful life? (How long will it serve the company?) May vary from reality.
What is the difference between service life and physical life?
Service life often differs from physical life - only a cost allocation process.
What are the two reasons companies retire assets?
- Physical factors - Casualty, expiration of physical life.
- Economic factors - Inadequacy, supersession, obsolescence.
What must depreciation methods be?
Depreciation methods must be systematic and rational. You can make up your own method.
What is the journal entry for depreciation?
Debit depreciation expense
Credit accumulated depreciation contra-asset account.
What is the Activity Method for depreciation?
Depreciation is calculated based on units of use or production.
Example: If Stanley uses crane for 4,000 hours, (450,000 x 4000)/30,000 = $60,000.
How is depreciation calculated using the Straight Line Method?
Divide depreciable base by estimated useful life to get depreciation amount per year.
Example: $450,000 / 5 years = $90,000 per year.
What are Decreasing Charge Methods?
Depreciates asset more, earlier in its useful life.
What is the Sum-Of-The-Years’-Digits method?
Each fraction uses the sum of the years as the denominator. Numerator is remaining life of the asset.
Example: In 5 year depreciation, sum of years is 5+4+3+2+1 = 15.
How do you calculate depreciation for Year 1 using the Sum-Of-The-Years’-Digits method?
Year 1: 5/15 x $450,000 = $150,000 = Book Value ends up being $350 ($500 - $150).
What is the Sum-Of-The-Years’-Digits method?
Each fraction uses the sum of the years as the denominator. The numerator is the remaining life of the asset.
How is the sum of years calculated for a 5-year depreciation?
The sum of years is 5 + 4 + 3 + 2 + 1 = 15.
What is the formula for the alternate calculation of the denominator?
The formula is (n(N+1))/2.
What is the cost of the crane?
$500,000