Depreciation Accounting

Depreciation AccountingPresented by Neelabh KumarDepreciationDepreciation is the permanent and continuous decrease in the book value of a fixed asset due to use, lapse of time, obsolescence, expiration of legal rights or any other cause.

Characteristics of Depreciation

It is related to fixed assets only.It is a fall in the book value of an asset.The fall in the book value of an asset is due to the use of the asset in business operations, effluxion of time, obsolescence, and expiration of legal rights or any other cause.It is a permanent decrease in the book value of an asset.It is a continuous decrease in the book value of an asset.

Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization

Depreciation is concerned with charging the cost of man made fixed assets to operation.Depletion referred to the process of removing an available but irreplaceable resource such as extracting coal from a coal miner or oil out of an oil well.Amortization-The process of writing off intangible assets is termed as amortization. The intangible assets like patents, copyrights, leaseholds and goodwill are recorded at cost in the books of account,Meaning of Depreciation Accounting

Depreciation Accounting is a system of accounting which aims to distribute cost or the basic value of tangible capital assets less salvage (if any), over the estimated useful life of the unit (which may be group of assets) in a systematic and rational manner. It is a process of allocation and not of valuation.

CAUSES OF DEPRECIATION

Physical wear and tear : When the fixed assets are put to use, the value of such assets may decrease. Such decrease in the value of assets is said to be due to physical wear and tear.

With the passage of time : When the assets are exposed to the forces of nature like whether, winds, rains, etc., the value of such assets may decrease even if they are not put to any use.Changes in economic environment : The value of an asset may decrease due to decrease in the demand of the asset. The demand of the asset may decrease due to technological changes, changes in the habits of consumers etc.Expiration of legal rights : When the use of an asset (e.g., patents, leases) is governed by the time bound arrangement, the value of such assets may decrease with the passage of time.

NEED FOR PROVIDING DEPRECIATION

To ascertain true results of operations : For proper matching of costs with revenues, it is necessary to charge the depreciation (cost) against income (revenue) in each accounting period.To present true and fair view of the financial position : For presenting a true and fair view of the financial position, it is necessary to charge the depreciation.To ascertain the true cost of production : For ascertaining the cost of production, it is necessary to charge depreciation as an item of cost of production.To comply with legal requirements: In case of companies, it is compulsory to charge depreciation on fixed assets before it declares dividend [Sec. 205(1) of the Companies Act, 1956].To accumulate funds for replacement of assets : A portion of profits is set aside in the form of depreciation and accumulated each year to provide a definite amount at a certain future date for the specific purpose of replacement of the asset at the end of its useful life.

BASIC ELEMENTS OF DEPRECIATION

Cost of the asset : The knowledge about the cost of the asset is very essential for determining the amount of depreciation to be charged to the profit and loss account.Estimated life of the asset : Estimated life generally means that for how many years or hours an asset could be used in business with ordinary repairs for generating revenues. Scrap. Value of the Asset : The salvage value of the asset is that value which is estimated to be realised on account of the sale of the asset at the end of its useful life.

METHODS OF CALCULATING DEPRECIATION

Straight Line Method : This is also known as fixed instalment method. Under this method the depreciation is charged on the uniform basis year after year.

Diminishing Balance methodWritten Down Value Method : This is also known as Diminishing Balance method. Under the diminishing balance method depreciation is charged at fixed rate on the reducing balance (i.e., cost less depreciation) every year. Thus, the amount of depreciation goes on decreasing every year.

Under this method also the amount of depreciation is transferred to profit and loss account in each of the year and in the balance sheet the asset is shown at book value after reducing depreciation from it.

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