What is Contra Asset Account?
Contra asset account is an asset account having credit balance which is related to one of the assets with debit balance and when we add the balances of two of these assets together, it will show us the net book value or carrying value of the assets having the debit balance.
List of Components of Contra Asset Account
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For eg:
Source: Contra Asset Account (wallstreetmojo.com)
#1 – Assets
It is prepared when there is a reduction in the value of assets due to wear and tear continuous use, or when we expect that a certain percentage of accounts receivable will not be received. Fixed assetsFixed AssetsFixed assets are assets that are held for the long term and are not expected to be converted into cash in a short period of time. Plant and machinery, land and buildings, furniture, computers, copyright, and vehicles are all examples.read more like plant & equipment are depreciated every year, and this balance is transferred to accumulated depreciation account. So, in this case, accumulated depreciationAccumulated DepreciationThe accumulated depreciation of an asset is the amount of cumulative depreciation charged on the asset from its purchase date until the reporting date. It is a contra-account, the difference between the asset's purchase price and its carrying value on the balance sheet.read more is a contra asset account related to plant & equipment.
#2 – Reduction in Value
We know that assets have a debit balanceDebit BalanceIn a General Ledger, when the total credit entries are less than the total number of debit entries, it refers to a debit balance. A debit balance is a net amount often calculated as debit minus credit in the General Ledger after recording every transaction.read more; however, the contra assets account has credit balances. It means that this account shows the balance, which is a reduction in the value of assets. Let’s say we expect 2% of our total receivable of $100,000 has gone bad. So we show $2,000 ($100,000*2%) as provision for doubtful debts, which is a reduction from debtorsDebtorsA debtor is a borrower who is liable to pay a certain sum to a credit supplier such as a bank, credit card company or goods supplier. The borrower could be an individual like a home loan seeker or a corporate body borrowing funds for business expansion. read more value and means that only $98,000 is expected to be received from debtors.
#3 – Prudence
It is only prudent to show the reduction or reserve in a separate account, and at any point, it gives us the netbook value explaining what the actual cost was and how much of that has been depreciated. It also helps in creating reserves, and later any change in the expected number can be adjusted through allowances and reserves.
#4 – Accumulated Depreciation
Whenever an organization buys an asset and depreciated it over the useful economic life of the asset, the reduction in value every over accumulates over the year, which is called accumulated depreciation. We get the remaining value of assets by deducting the accumulated depreciation balances from the book value of an asset. The accumulated depreciation balance cannot exceed the book value of the assetBook Value Of The AssetBook Value of Assets is the asset's value in the books of records of a company or an institution at any given instance. Assets Book Value Formula = Total Value of an Asset – Depreciation – Other Expenses Directly Related to it read more.
#5 – Allowances for Doubtful Debts
When good is sold on credit, the amount receivable from customers is shown under the debtor’s balance in the balance sheet. It is a standard business practice to prepare an estimate for the amount which is likely to go bad. This amount is shown as provision or reserve for doubtful debts. The provision for doubtful debts is a contra asset account which is related to debtors.
#6 – Others
Provision for a discount from creditors and discount on bills receivable are other examples which are widely used.
Example of Contra Asset Account
Let us understand how the accounting entryAccounting EntryAccounting Entry is a summary of all the business transactions in the accounting books, including the debit & credit entry. It has 3 major types, i.e., Transaction Entry, Adjusting Entry, & Closing Entry. read more is posted for the contra asset account and how it is shown in the books. Let us consider that ABC Ltd. recently bought machinery for $100,000, and it plans to depreciate the machinery over five years by using the straight-line method. In this case, the depreciation each year for this machinery will be $100,000/5 = $20,000.
Accounting Entry
By the end of the first-year machinery, balance will be $100,000, and accumulated depreciation will show $20,000. By the end of 2nd-year, the machinery balance will still be $100,000, and accumulated depreciation will show $40,000. The netbook value of the machinery by the end of the first year will be $80,000 ($100,000-$20,000) and $60,000 ($100,000-$40,000) by the end of the second year. This method helps a third person in identifying what the book value was at the time of purchase and what is the remaining value of an asset. If we just show $60,000 as an asset in the third year, it will be challenging to understand whether $60,000 is all new purchases or the remaining value of an asset. This account helps all the stakeholders in understanding the financial numbers accurately.
Advantages
Some of the advantages are a follows:
- It helps in quick calculation of net book valueCalculation Of Net Book ValueNet book value refers to the carrying value of the corporate assets acquired after accounting for depreciation, as reported in the company's balance sheet. An asset's net book value is calculated as "Net Book Value = Original Purchase Cost – Accumulated Depreciation".read more.
- The annual reportsAnnual ReportsAn annual report is a document that a corporation publishes for its internal and external stakeholders to describe the company's performance, financial information, and disclosures related to its operations. Over time, these reports have become legal and regulatory requirements.read more are prepared for various parties; some of them might not be accounting versed; they help them in identifying the reduction in total value.
- It helps in audit facilitation and annual filings.
- It is a globally accepted policy.
Disadvantages
Some of the disadvantages are a follows:
- It is a time-consuming process.
- Many organizations find it challenging to implement.
- Need a robust accounting system; else, operational difficulties may arise.
Points to Note
Conclusion
With increasing globalizationGlobalizationGlobalization is defined as the extension of trade, commerce and culture of an economy across different nations.read more and companies operating in many countries, the books of accounts must be compatible with a global platform. They are also the result of globally accepted accounting principlesGlobally Accepted Accounting PrinciplesGAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) are standardized guidelines for accounting and financial reporting.read more for accurate reporting of financial numbers. As we have seen in the above discussion, how reporting contra assets account helps in a better understanding of financial statements of any organizationFinancial Statements Of Any OrganizationFinancial statements are written reports prepared by a company's management to present the company's financial affairs over a given period (quarter, six monthly or yearly). These statements, which include the Balance Sheet, Income Statement, Cash Flows, and Shareholders Equity Statement, must be prepared in accordance with prescribed and standardized accounting standards to ensure uniformity in reporting at all levels.read more. So, an organization looking for a robust accounting process must move to this type of reporting for better understanding.
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