How can a company decide the depreciation method and why? | Homework.Study.com (2024)

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Business Economics Depreciation

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How can a company decide the depreciation method and why?

Depreciation methods.

This refers to the accounting methods used to allocate the cost of an asset over its useful life which are used to account for the decrease in value of the asset. Some of the depreciation methods includes; straight- line method, double declining method, units of production method and the sum of year digits method.

Answer and Explanation:1

A company should choose a depreciation method that best matches the depreciation expense to the revenue that the asset generates.

For instance, a...

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Methods of Depreciation

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Chapter 6/ Lesson 1

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When completing financial reports, depreciation, or a loss in value, can be reported using three different methods: straight-line, double declining balance, and units of production. Learn to calculate depreciation using each of these methods.

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How can a company decide the depreciation method and why? | Homework.Study.com (2024)

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How can a company decide the depreciation method and why? | Homework.Study.com? ›

Answer and Explanation:

How does a company decide on the method of depreciation and why? ›

To start, a company must know an asset's cost, useful life, and salvage value. Then, it can calculate depreciation using a method suited to its accounting needs, asset type, asset lifespan, or the number of units produced.

Why would a company choose one method of depreciation over another? ›

Some businesses choose one method for depreciating all their assets while some use two or more methods. The reason for using different methods could depend on the useful life of the asset or the company wanting larger deductions early.

What factors should be considered when choosing a depreciation method? ›

By considering factors such as the nature of the asset, the useful life of the asset, tax laws, and financial reporting requirements, you can make an informed decision on the best depreciation method to use for your business.

Why would a company change depreciation method? ›

You are most likely to request a change to a depreciation method because you revise the estimated future benefits afforded by the asset or gain more information about the consumption pattern of the asset. A fixed asset's carrying value bears no necessary relationship to its market value.

How do companies use depreciation? ›

Depreciation helps to tie the cost of an asset with the benefit of its use over time. In other words, the incremental expense associated with using up the asset is also recorded for the asset that is put to use each year and generates revenue.

Which depreciation method is the most accurate why? ›

Arguably, the most common and popular depreciation method is the straight-line method. Praised for its simplicity, it works by reducing the value of the asset by the same amount every year for the length of its usable life.

Can a company use different depreciation methods? ›

In addition, certain entities may use more than one method of depreciation, such as applying unit depreciation to fixed assets with large unit costs while the group method is applied to other types of assets with lower unit costs.

What are the three most common methods of depreciation selected by US companies? ›

Let's look more closely at these methods and how businesses can apply them.
  • Straight line method. The simplest and most popular method of depreciation is the straight line method. ...
  • Declining balance method. ...
  • Units of production depreciation method. ...
  • Sum-of-the-years' digits method.
Dec 22, 2022

Why do companies prefer straight line depreciation? ›

A company can use different depreciation methods for different types of fixed assets, but they should use the same method consistently over time. Straight-line depreciation is a common default because of its practicality: It's easy to calculate, less of an administrative burden and less prone to error.

What are the three 3 factors that affect the calculation of depreciation? ›

There are three basic things which are required to charge depreciation viz, cost, estimated useful life and probable salvage value; these are the three things which affect the amount of depreciation.

What are the four main factors to be considered when depreciating an asset? ›

To compute the amount of depreciation expense, accountants consider four major factors:
  • Cost of the asset.
  • Estimated salvage value of the asset. ...
  • Estimated useful life of the asset. ...
  • Depreciation method used in depreciating the asset.

What are the three main factors used in determining depreciation of a fixed asset? ›

The factors that determine depreciation are cost, salvage value and useful life. The three most widely used methods that are acceptable under generally accepted accounting principles are (1) the straight-line method, (2) the units- of- production method, and (3) the declining-balance method.

What are the major reasons why companies change accounting methods? ›

Answer and Explanation:
  • Company changed the method of accounting when the company is wishing to reflect a better profit and by using different accounting method it can be possible.
  • If the company is wishing to increase the cash flow from business operation by making reduction in the payment of income taxes.

Why do companies change accounting methods? ›

Accounting method changes are most commonly related to how (and when) an organization reports its revenue and expenses (i.e., cash vs. accrual), how inventory is valued (i.e., LIFO vs. FIFO or other hybrid methods), or how depreciation is calculated.

What is most widely used depreciation method? ›

Straight-line depreciation is the most frequently used method, and it involves spreading the cost of an asset evenly over its useful life. This results in a consistent amount of depreciation expense each year.

Why do companies use different depreciation methods for tax reporting and financial reporting? ›

Advantages of using different depreciation methods:

1. The straight-line method is very simple to apply and also convenient for small business units. 2. The accelerated method allows businesses to apply higher costs in the initial years that reduce the initial tax liability.

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