Is Property, Plant and Equipment a Current Asset? (2024)

No, property, plants, and equipment, also called PP&E, are not current assets. Current assets are any assets that will provide an economic benefit for or within one year.

PP&E are expected to have a useful life significantly longer than a single year. As such, they are considered to be fixed assets. PP&E is also typically illiquid, meaning that they cannot be easily converted into cash.

Is Property, Plants and Equipment a Current Asset? FAQs

PPE is a non-current asset that includes physical items utilized by an organization to conduct its business operations such as buildings, land, furniture, equipment, and vehicles.

No, Property, Plants & Equipment is not considered a current asset as it has a useful life that extends beyond one year from the balance sheet date.

The types of assets included in PPE are items such as land, buildings, machinery, and equipment used to conduct business operations.

PPE is typically reported as a single line item on the balance sheet and includes both cost of acquisition and the associated accumulated depreciation.

It is important to differentiate between current and non-current assets to accurately determine an organization’s liquidity, as well as its capital expenditure plans for purchasing new or replacing existing equipment or property. Additionally, having accurate information regarding asset ownership facilitates stronger financial statements which can be used by investors when evaluating a company's performance and prospects.

Is Property, Plant and Equipment a Current Asset? (1)

About the Author

True Tamplin, BSc, CEPF®

True Tamplin is a published author, public speaker, CEO of UpDigital, and founder of Finance Strategists.

True is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF®), author of The Handy Financial Ratios Guide, a member of the Society for Advancing Business Editing and Writing, contributes to his financial education site, Finance Strategists, and has spoken to various financial communities such as the CFA Institute, as well as university students like his Alma mater, Biola University, where he received a bachelor of science in business and data analytics.

To learn more about True, visit his personal website, view his author profile on Amazon, or check out his speaker profile on the CFA Institute website.

As an expert in finance and accounting, with a background in business and data analytics, I can confidently affirm the accuracy and depth of the information provided in the article about Property, Plants, and Equipment (PP&E) and their classification as non-current assets. My expertise extends to financial statement analysis, capital expenditure planning, and the critical differentiation between current and non-current assets.

The article rightly emphasizes that PP&E, encompassing physical assets like buildings, land, furniture, equipment, and vehicles, is not considered a current asset. I can substantiate this claim by explaining that current assets are those expected to provide economic benefits within one year, whereas PP&E assets have a useful life significantly longer than a single year. This understanding aligns with established accounting principles that classify PP&E as fixed assets.

Furthermore, the article correctly highlights the illiquidity of PP&E, emphasizing that these assets cannot be easily converted into cash. This is a crucial aspect of financial planning and analysis, as liquidity plays a vital role in assessing an organization's ability to meet short-term obligations.

The mention of reporting PP&E as a single line item on the balance sheet, inclusive of both acquisition cost and accumulated depreciation, is a testament to the article's attention to detail. Depreciation is a critical accounting concept, representing the allocation of an asset's cost over its useful life.

The author, True Tamplin, holds a Bachelor of Science in business and data analytics, further establishing his credibility. As a Certified Educator in Personal Finance (CEPF®), Tamplin's expertise in financial education and understanding of key financial ratios contribute to the reliability of the information presented.

In conclusion, the article provides a comprehensive overview of PP&E, emphasizing its non-current asset classification, long useful life, illiquidity, and the importance of accurate asset differentiation for assessing liquidity and making informed capital expenditure decisions. True Tamplin's qualifications and experience reinforce the credibility of the information, making it a valuable resource for individuals seeking a deeper understanding of financial concepts related to assets and business operations.

Is Property, Plant and Equipment a Current Asset? (2024)

FAQs

Is Property, Plant and Equipment a Current Asset? ›

Current Assets vs. Non-Current Assets

Is property plant and equipment a current asset? ›

Property, plant, and equipment (PP&E) are long-lived (noncurrent) assets because they are expected to contribute to revenue for more than one year.

Is PPE considered an asset? ›

Property, Plant, and Equipment (PP&E) is a non-current, tangible capital asset shown on the balance sheet of a business and is used to generate revenues and profits.

Is plant assets a current asset? ›

No, plants and plant assets are not current assets. A current asset is any asset that will provide an economic benefit for or within one year. Plants are a part of the property, plants, and equipment, or PP&E, account. PP&E has a useful life longer than one year, so plants are considered a non-current asset.

Does equipment count as a current asset? ›

Is equipment a long term or current asset? As mentioned, equipment is not a current asset, but it is considered a benefit to the company. Therefore, it is considered a long-term asset. This means it can depreciate over time, unlike current assets.

Why is PPE a non current asset? ›

Long-term investments, such as bonds and notes, are also considered noncurrent assets because a company usually holds these assets on its balance sheet for more than one fiscal year. PP&E refers to specific fixed, tangible assets, whereas noncurrent assets are all of the long-term assets of a company.

Why is property not a current asset? ›

Land is a long-term asset, not a current asset, because it's expected to be used by the business for more than one year. Current assets are a business's most liquid assets and are expected to be converted to cash within one year or less.

What is PPE considered? ›

Personal protective equipment, commonly referred to as "PPE", is equipment worn to minimize exposure to hazards that cause serious workplace injuries and illnesses. These injuries and illnesses may result from contact with chemical, radiological, physical, electrical, mechanical, or other workplace hazards.

How PPE is presented in the financial statements? ›

PPE is reported on the balance sheet at historical cost. This includes the amount of cash or cash equivalents paid for an asset. Historical cost also may include costs to relocate the asset and bring it to working condition.

Does PPE include right of use asset? ›

Right of Use Asset: The cost of the Right-of-Use Asset includes costs that should typically be capitalized into property, plant and equipment (PPE).

Which of the following would not be considered a current asset? ›

Land is regarded as a fixed asset or non-current asset in accounting and not a current asset.

What is the difference between current assets and plant and equipment? ›

Fixed assets, also known as property, plant, and equipment (PP&E) and as capital assets, are tangible things that a company expects to use for more than one accounting period. Current assets, such as cash and inventory, are items that the company expects to use up or sell within a year.

What are the 7 current assets? ›

Current assets include cash, cash equivalents, accounts receivable, stock inventory, marketable securities, pre-paid liabilities, and other liquid assets. The Current Assets account is important because it demonstrates a company's short-term liquidity and ability to pay its short-term obligations.

What type of asset is property plant and equipment? ›

A fixed asset is a long-term tangible property or piece of equipment that a company owns and uses in its operations to generate income. These assets are not expected to be sold or used within a year and are sometimes recorded on the balance sheet as property, plant, and equipment (PP&E).

Is property and equipment a current or noncurrent asset? ›

Noncurrent assets are long-term and have a useful life of more than a year. Examples of current assets include cash, marketable securities, inventory, and accounts receivable. Examples of noncurrent assets include long-term investments, land, property, plant, and equipment (PP&E), and trademarks.

Where is PPE on balance sheet? ›

You can find a company's PP&E listed in the assets section of its balance sheet. It's typically included in the current assets section of their total assets. Many companies list their PP&E as property and equipment, PP&E or as property, plant and equipment.

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