Historical Cost vs Fair Value

Difference Between Historical Cost vs Fair Value

Valuation is a highly subjective matter. Valuation is the base for all the transactions, business analysis, and all mergers and acquisitions deals. Valuation may be at historical cost, fair value, notional value, intrinsic value, etc. The main purpose of doing valuation is to identify the correct value of the asset for which deal or transaction is to be undertaken. This is not only helping seller to identify the correct price for their commodity but also this helps in reaching to the level to identify that in which class of market, the customer can be identified and the deal can be settled.

In this article, we look at Historical Cost vs Fair Value in detail –

What is Historical Cost?

Historical Cost means the actual price at which the transaction was done. All the commodity or assets present in the balance are needed to be disclosed at historical value. Historical cost is globally accepted as a measure to record the property plant and equipment. It will always show asset on a historical basis which will be considered for calculating depreciation and for other statutory matters.

What is Fair value?

Fair value means the actual value of the asset in the market as on the day. Fair value is highly dependent on the demand, availability, perishability, market, set of assumptions etc. Professionals are required to determine the fair value of any asset, commodity or intangibles. Fair value is also known as intrinsic value, actuarial value, market price etc.

Example of Historical Cost and Fair Value

Let’s understand the historical cost vs fair value with an example

ABC Ltd acquires land at $100,000 in 2002.

The actual market price of that land in 2018 is around $1.75 million.
Here land will be reflected in the balance sheet at $100,000 which is nothing but historical value.

The market value of $1.75 million is considered as the fair value of the asset.

Historical Cost vs Fair Value Infographics

Here we provide you with the top 8 difference between Historical Cost vs Fair Value

Historical Cost vs Fair Value – Key Differences

The key differences between Historical Cost vs Fair Value are as follows –

Historical cost is the transaction price or the acquisition price at which asset was acquired or transaction was done, while Fair value is the market price that asset can fetch from the counterparty.
As per Indian GAAP, in India, we are following historical based accounting. However, IFRS, at the global level, requires fair value based accounting.
Depreciation on the fixed asset is getting calculated on historical cost while Impairment on the assets is getting derived based on their fair value.
Professionals are needed for the fair value derivation while even Layman can derive the historical cost.
In the Balance sheet, Property plant and equipment are to be disclosed at Historical cost while Financial Instruments are to be disclosed at fair value.
Historical cost derivation is easy and majorly readily available, while fair value calculation is highly complex and requires technical and niche skills.
Historical Cost calculation does not require any assumptions however Fair value calculation itself is dependent on the various assumptions and various methods of calculation
One of the Financial statement utility is using the same for comparison. Historical cost-based accounting will not give a better comparison as there can be different methods of depreciation, inventory recording etc. However, Fair value based accounting helps better comparability.

Historical Cost vs Fair Value Head to Head Difference

Let’s now look at the head to head difference between Historical Cost vs Fair Value

Basis – Historical Cost vs Fair Value	Historical Cost	Fair Value
Definition	Historical Cost is the cost at which transaction was done or asset was acquired	Fair value means the present market price that the asset can fetch.
Depreciation/ Impairment	Depreciation is always getting calculated on the historical cost	Impairment is always calculated on a fair value basis
Layman/Professional	The layman can easily identify the historical cost as it is nothing but the transaction price	Professionals/Actuaries are needed to calculate the fair value
Items in the Balance sheet	As per Indian GAAP, Property, Plant and Equipment are needed to be disclosed at historical cost in the balance sheet	As per Indian GAAP, Financial Instruments are needed to be disclosed at Fair value in the balance sheet
Accounting Standard	AS 16 requires historical cost based valuation	AS 30,31 and 32 as well as IFRS 9 requires Fair Value based valuation
Calculation	The historical Cost calculation is easy and can be easily derived	Fair value calculation is highly complex
Assumptions	Historical Cost does not require any assumptions.	Fair Value calculation requires various assumptions based on which fair value can be derived
Comparability	The comparison is not possible under historical based valuation as various methods can have adopted for depreciation, inventory valuation etc	The comparison is possible between 2 entities under the said method of valuation as all the assets will be disclosed at fair value

Final Thoughts

Valuation is at heart while discussing the business. The historical value will keep track of the value of the transaction at the time of acquisition while fair value shows the obtainable value of the same transaction as on date. Also, there are many approaches in calculating them and to derive different valuation based on various assumption. It is always difficult to choose the right method. Also, there will be a financial impact based on the method chosen.