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Managing Fixed Assets

Mar 5, 2020 3:11:00 PM Cheryl Coyle Budgeting, Bookkeeping, Accounting

asset depreciation | managing fixes assetsThe question many of our small business owners have is how to manage fixed assets. Here we walk you through identifying which assets are fixed, and then an example of depreciating a vehicle.

First let’s consider what a fixed asset is.

To be considered a fixed asset, the item must:

  • Have a useful life greater than one year
  • Be depreciable - excluding land, fixed assets face deprecation to reflect wear and tear of use
  • Be used in business operations and provide long-term financial gain – think something used to produce goods or services that are not sold to customers such as delivery equipment, tools, furniture.
  • Not be liquid – a fixed asset is not easily converted to cash

Now that you know how to identify fixed assets, you need to understand how to manage them. Using an example of a truck purchase we will go through the required steps to properly present the purchase on the balance sheet.

Example - Purchase of a Pickup Truck

Cost $50,000
Useful Life 5 Years (60 Months)
Placed in Service 6/1/2019

Using accrual-based accounting, you would record the transaction as:

JE #
Date
Account
Debit
Credit
1
6/1/2019
Vehicles (Asset Account)
50000
 
 
 
Cash (or A/P or Loan)
 
5000
 
 
To record purchase of pickup
2
6/1/2019
Depreciation Expense
833.33
 
   
Accum Deprecation Vehicles (Contra Asset Acct.
 
833.3
   
To record monthly depreciation expense (50,000/60 = 833.33)
3 through 8
 
Record journal entry #2 every month for the rest of the year

Recap: End of 2019

Balance Sheet at 12/31/19
Vehicles 50000
Accum. Depr. Vehicles (5,833.31)
Net Book Value 44,166.69
Profit & Loss on 12/31/19
Depreciation Expense 5833.31

 

JE #

Date

Account

Debit

Credit

9 1/1/2020 Depreciation Expense 833.33  
    Accum. Depr. Vehicles (Contra Asset Acct)   833.33
    To record monthly depreciation expense (50,000/60 = 833.33)
Pickup is SOLD on 2/15/2020 for $40,000
10   Depreciation Expense 416.67  
    Accum. Depr. Vehicles (Contra Asset Acct)   416.67
    To record 1/2 month of depreciation expense
      40,000  
11   Cash 0  
    Accum. Depr. Vehicles (833.33*8.5) 7,083.31  
        50,000.00
    Vehicles   0
    Loss of Sales of Fixed Assets 2916.70  
    To record sale of vehicle    

Recap: End of 2020

Balance Sheet at 12/31/20
Vehicles 0.00
Accum. Depr. Vehicles -
Net Book Value 0.00
Profit & Loss on 12/31/20
Depreciation Expense 1250.00
Gain/{Loss} on Sales of Fixed Assets 2916.70

Why It is Important to Correctly Manage Fixed Assets?

Properly accounting for fixed assets is crucial to small business. In addition to being used to help generate revenue, fixed assets are closely looked at by investors when deciding whether to invest in a company.
Contact us at www.budgetease.biz to find out how we can help you manage your fixed assets.

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Cheryl Coyle

Written by Cheryl Coyle