Netgain On: Fixed Assets

Unlock the backbone of a thriving business - fixed assets. These long-term tangible assets, carefully curated to fuel operations, form an indispensable part of a company's success. 

Why do they matter? They lay the foundation for a company's infrastructure, providing the essential resources for seamless operations. They also hold immense potential for securing debt financing and acting as collateral for loans, propelling businesses forward.

Read on to learn more about fixed assets and why they are important to your business.

The Basics – Fixed Assets 

Definition: Fixed assets, also known as property, plant, and equipment (PP&E), are long-term tangible assets a company holds for its use in operations and are not intended for sale. They are expected to provide economic benefits to the company for more than one accounting period, typically over a year.

How It Works: A company acquires buildings, land, machinery, vehicles, furniture, and other tangible items to use in its day-to-day operations. These items are known as fixed assets and are recorded on the company's balance sheet to reflect their value and presence within the organization.

What Is A Fixed Asset? 

Fixed assets are long-term tangible assets integral to a company's operations. They are not intended for sale and are used to provide a company with a competitive advantage. Examples of fixed assets include land, buildings, machinery, equipment, vehicles, furniture, computers, and software. All these items are recorded on a company's balance sheet as assets. 

The cost of the asset is recorded at the time of purchase, and the value of the asset is depreciated over time. This depreciation reflects the asset's declining value due to wear and tear, obsolescence, or other factors.

The Netgain Advantage

Looking for additional offerings? Netgain apps help smart accountants simplify and automate processes, from lease compliance to advanced fixed assets and loan management to closing the books.

Pretty smart, right?

NetClose for NetSuite is the fastest way to close the books thanks to the advanced task management, auto reconciliations, and that  it is fully embedded in NetSuite. This means you can close the books all inside of NetSuite, auto-assign recurring tasks for all stakeholders, save time, and automate the reconciliation process. 

Why Are Fixed Assets Important? 

Fixed assets are important for businesses for a number of reasons:

Long-term Value: Fixed assets have long-term value and contribute to an entity's overall financial health and stability. They represent substantial investments and are expected to generate revenue and support growth over an extended period. 

Help Determine The Company's Financial Position: These assets are typically recorded on the balance sheet and provide insight into the organization's total asset base. By accurately valuing and managing fixed assets, businesses can assess their net worth, solvency, and ability to meet financial obligations. 

Enhance Competitive Advantage: Well-maintained fixed assets can give a company a competitive edge in the market. Up-to-date and high-quality equipment or facilities can improve the quality of products or services, attract customers, and differentiate a business from its competitors. 

Netgain Answers: All Things Fixed Assets 

What Are The Benefits Of Fixed Assets? 

Fixed assets can provide a wide range of benefits to businesses, both large and small. 

1. Fixed assets are long-term investments that can provide a company with a steady source of income. 
2. They can help a business increase its production capacity. By purchasing new equipment, a company can increase its production and therefore increase its profits. 
3. Fixed assets can help a business increase its value over time. Assets like land and buildings tend to appreciate in value. This appreciation in value can contribute to the overall worth of the business, which can be advantageous when seeking financing or attracting investors.

What Are Types Of Fixed Assets? 

Fixed assets are divided into two main categories: tangible and intangible.

Tangible Assets: Physical assets that can be seen, touched, and felt. Examples include buildings, machinery, equipment, furniture, and vehicles. These assets are important for businesses because they provide the necessary resources for production and operations. 

Intangible Assets: Non-physical assets with long-term economic value to a company. Examples include patents, copyrights, trademarks, and goodwill.

What Is The Link Between Fixed Assets And Financial Statements? 

Fixed assets play a significant role in the preparation of financial statements for an organization. The link between fixed assets and financial statements lies in their impact on a company's balance sheet and income statement. 

Balance sheet: The value of fixed assets is reported on the balance sheet at their historical cost, less any accumulated depreciation or impairment. This information is crucial for investors, creditors, and stakeholders in assessing the company's financial health, its ability to generate future cash flows, and the overall value of the business.

Income statement: Fixed assets also have an impact on the income statement. The depreciation expense, which represents the allocation of the asset's cost over its useful life, is recorded as an expense on the income statement. This expense reduces the company's net income, thus affecting its profitability. 

What Is The Difference Between Fixed Assets And Current Assets? 

The main difference between fixed assets and current assets is the length of time the asset is held by the company. Fixed assets are held for more than one year, while current assets are held for less than one year. 

Another difference is that fixed assets are not expected to be converted into cash, while current assets are expected to be converted into cash or used up within one year.

What Are Other Types Of Non-Current Assets? 

A non-current asset is an asset that is not expected to be consumed within one year. Examples of non-current assets include: 

Long-Term Securities (bonds and shares). These investments are typically held for an extended period and are not intended for immediate sale or conversion into cash. 

Deferred Tax Assets. These assets represent future tax benefits that a company expects to receive due to temporary differences between accounting and tax rules. They are often utilized to offset tax liabilities in subsequent periods. 

To help you further understand fixed assets and address any additional questions you may have, we've also compiled a list of the most asked questions on Google: 

What is the general rule for fixed assets? 

The general rule for fixed assets is that they are long-term assets held by a company for productive use in its operations and are not intended to be sold in the normal course of business. 

How often should fixed assets be revalued? 

According to GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) assets should be revalued as frequently as once a year, whereas IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards) states, fixed assets should be revalued periodically, typically once every three to five years. 

How do you maintain fixed asset records? 

To maintain fixed asset records, companies should keep detailed documentation of each asset, including its acquisition cost, the date the asset was placed in-service, useful life, depreciation method, and any subsequent changes or improvements. These records should also be regularly updated and reconciled with physical inventory to ensure accuracy.

What happens when fixed assets increase? 

The increase in fixed assets can positively impact a company's financial position and operational capabilities, as it signifies an expansion or improvement in its asset base.

How long do fixed assets last? 

The lifespan of fixed assets varies depending on the type of asset and its intended use, but they are generally expected to last for multiple years.