What Is a Fixed Asset?
Fixed assets are long-term tangible properties or equipment essential to a company’s operations. These assets, such as buildings, machinery, and vehicles, appear on the balance sheet as property, plant, and equipment (PP&E). Unlike current assets, fixed assets are not easily converted to cash and serve multiple purposes including production, operations, or rental to third parties. Depreciation applies to these assets to reflect wear and tear over time, making them a critical aspect of financial reporting and analysis.
Understanding Fixed Asset Accounting
A company’s balance sheet lists its assets, liabilities, and shareholder equity. Assets are divided into current and noncurrent, based on their useful lives. Current assets are usually liquid and convertible to cash within a year. Current assets include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable (AR), inventory, and prepaid expenses.
Fixed assets are noncurrent and not easily convertible to cash. Noncurrent assets also include long-term investments, deferred charges, and intangible assets. These assets won’t be depleted or sold within the accounting period. Fixed assets have a physical form and appear as PP&E on the balance sheet. Companies purchase fixed assets to produce goods or services, for office and operating use, or to rent to third parties. Fixed assets are depreciated, while current assets are not.
Depreciating Fixed Assets: What You Need to Know
Fixed assets lose value as they age. Because they provide long-term income, these assets are expensed differently than other items. Tangible assets are subject to periodic depreciation while intangible assets are subject to amortization.
Internal Revenue Service. “About Form 4562 Depreciation and Amortization.”
A portion of an asset’s cost is expensed each year. The asset’s value decreases along with its depreciation on the company’s balance sheet to match its long-term value. Depreciation methods can make an asset’s book value differ from its current market value (CMV).
How Fixed Assets Are Acquired and Disposed
Acquiring or disposing of a fixed asset is recorded under cash flow from investing activities. Purchasing fixed assets causes a cash outflow, while selling them generates a cash inflow. If an asset’s value drops below its net book value, it undergoes an impairment write-down. Its recorded value on the balance sheet is adjusted downward to reflect that it is overvalued compared to the market value.
When a fixed asset’s useful life ends, it’s often sold for salvage value. This is the asset’s estimated value if broken down and sold in parts. In some cases, the asset may become obsolete and will, therefore, be disposed of without receiving any payment in return. The fixed asset is written off the balance sheet since it is no longer used.
What Is an Example of a Company With Fixed Assets?
For a produce company, owned delivery trucks are fixed assets. A company parking lot is a fixed asset. However, personal vehicles used to get to work are not considered fixed assets. Additionally, buying rock salt to melt ice in the parking lot is an expense.
Why Should Investors Care About a Company’s Fixed Assets?
Asset information aids in accurate financial reporting, valuations, and analysis. Investors and creditors use these reports to determine a company’s financial health and decide whether to buy shares or lend money to the business. Fixed assets are important to capital-intensive industries, such as manufacturing, which require large investments in PP&E. Negative net cash flows from buying fixed assets may indicate growth or investment mode.
What Are Other Types of Noncurrent Assets?
Other noncurrent assets include long-term investments and intangibles. Intangible assets may lack physical form but have long-term use. These assets include goodwill, copyrights, trademarks, and intellectual property.
Is a Car a Fixed Asset?
It depends on how the car is being used. If the car is used in a company’s operations to generate income, such as a delivery vehicle, it may be considered a fixed asset. However, if the car is used for personal use, it is not considered a fixed asset and is not recorded on the company’s balance sheet.
The Bottom Line
A fixed asset is long-term tangible property or equipment a company owns and uses to generate income. These assets are not expected to be sold or used within a year and are sometimes recorded on the balance sheet as property, plant, and equipment (PP&E). Fixed assets are subject to depreciation, whereas intangible assets are amortized. Fixed assets are often contrasted with current assets, which are expected to be converted to cash or used within a year.
