Depreciation Accounting

DEPRECIATION ACCOUNTING

Introduction

Business enterprises use certain fixed assets for the conduct of business operations. Such assets are building, plant and machinery, motor vehicles, furniture, office equipment, etc. These assets have a long span of life. After some years, the assets will lose their usefulness for the business operations. Purchase of such fixed assets or construction of these is a capital expenditure. Hence the amount cannot be transferred to profit and loss account of the year of purchase. But every year, a part of the capital expenditure attributable to the use during the year is charged to profit and loss account and is reduced from the cost of the asset. The portion of cost of asset attributable to the use and expiry of time is to be measured and accounted which is called depreciation. Depreciation is treated as a charge against profit and is debited to profit and loss account.