How does a business decide which depreciation method is best to use?

Short Answer

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The method of depreciation is chosen on the basis of various factors such as type of company, type of assets, the useful life of assets, etc

Step by step solution

01

Definition of Depreciation

Depreciation is a method for awarding the cost of capital assets. It allocates cost over its useful life. It can be computed using various methods

02

The factors on which business decided which depreciation method is best

The businesses choose the depreciation method that is best suited for their business by evaluating the aspects such as the type of business the company is doing, the types of assets purchased, duration of the use of assets (estimated useful life), number of shifts or time interval in which the asset is used. The decision is made after taking these factors into consideration.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

During 2018, Lora Company completed the following transactions:

Jan. 1 Traded in old office equipment with book value of \(55,000 (cost of \)129,000 and accumulated depreciation of \(74,000) for new equipment. Lora also paid \)55,000 in cash. Fair value of new equipment is \(116,000. Assume the exchange had commercial substance.

Apr. 1 Sold equipment that cost \)12,000 (accumulated depreciation of \(1,000 through December 31 of the preceding year). Lora received \)7,100 cash from the sale of the equipment. Depreciation is computed on a straightline basis. The equipment has a five-year useful life and a residual value of \(0.

Dec. 31 Recorded depreciation as follows:

Office equipment is depreciated using the double-declining-balance method over four years with a \)7,000 residual value.

Record the transactions in the journal of Lora Company.

If a business changes the estimated useful life or estimated residual value of a plant asset, what must the business do in regard to depreciation expense?

Whitney Plumb Associates surveys American eating habits. The company’s accounts include Land, Buildings, Office Equipment, and Communication Equipment, witha separate Accumulated Depreciation account for each asset. During 2018, WhitneyPlumb completed the following transactions:

Jan. 1 Purchased office equipment, \(117,000. Paid \)77,000 cash and financedthe remainder with a note payable.

Apr. 1 Acquired land and communication equipment in a lump-sumpurchase. Total cost was \(350,000 paid in cash. An independentappraisal valued the land at \)275,625 and the communication equipmentat \(91,875.

Sep. 1 Sold a building that cost \)520,000 (accumulated depreciation of \(285,000through December 31 of the preceding year). Whitney Plumb received\)390,000 cash from the sale of the building. Depreciation is computed ona straight-line basis. The building has a 40-year useful life and a residualvalue of \(25,000.

Dec. 31 Recorded depreciation as follows:

Communication equipment is depreciated by the straight-line methodover a five-year life with zero residual value.Office equipment is depreciated using the double-declining-balancemethod over five years with a \)2,000 residual value.

Record the transactions in the journal of Whitney Plumb Associates.

What does the asset turnover ratio measure, and how is it calculated?

Whitney Plumb Associates surveys American eating habits. The company’s accounts include Land, Buildings, Office Equipment, and Communication Equipment, with a separate Accumulated Depreciation account for each asset. During 2018, Whitney Plumb completed the following transactions:

Jan. 1 Purchased office equipment, \(117,000. Paid \)77,000 cash and financed the remainder with a note payable.

Apr. 1 Acquired land and communication equipment in a lump-sum purchase. Total cost was \(350,000 paid in cash. An independent appraisal valued the land at \)275,625 and the communication equipment at \(91,875.

Sep. 1 Sold a building that cost \)520,000 (accumulated depreciation of \(285,000 through December 31 of the preceding year). Whitney Plumb received \)390,000 cash from the sale of the building. Depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis. The building has a 40-year useful life and a residual value of \(25,000.

Dec. 31 Recorded depreciation as follows:

Communication equipment is depreciated by the straight-line method over a five-year life with zero residual value. Office equipment is depreciated using the double-declining-balance method over five years with a \)2,000 residual value.

Record the transactions in the journal of Whitney Plumb Associates.

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