Amortization of Intangible Assets

Amortization of an Intangible Asset: An In-depth Look

Amortization is a key practice in business accounting. The purpose of amortizing an intangible asset is to match the expense of acquiring it to the revenues it generates.

• For businesses, it's an important technique for accounting and tax purposes, allowing a company to write off an asset over a period of time.
• When an asset is subject to amortization, it means that the cost of the asset will be spread over several periods (usually years) during which the asset is used or brings benefit to the company.

However, the process of amortization varies depending on the nature of the intangible asset. Some assets, like goodwill, are not amortizable. Instead, they're evaluated yearly for impairment.

The Basics of Amortization of an Intangible Asset

The initial step in the amortization process is recognizing whether the intangible asset has a limited or unlimited lifespan. If the asset's lifespan is limited, it can be amortized. If not, it needs to be reviewed for impairment annually.

• Secondly, you must establish the lifespan of the asset. Depending on the type of intangible asset, this could be based on regulatory or contractual parameters.
• Finally, determine the amortization method. The most common method is the straight-line method. This charges even amounts against the asset’s cost each accounting period.

Advanced Concepts in Amortization of an Intangible Asset

In advanced accounting, you may come across more complex amortization exercises. These might involve intangible assets with indefinite lifespans, like goodwill or traditional trademarks.

For assets with indefinite lifespans, you can't just apply the basic practices shown earlier. Instead, you need to test these assets for impairment on the annual basis.

Interestingly, if the asset's lifespan becomes definite, for example because of a change in business circumstances or legislation, then you can begin to amortize the intangible asset.

The continued study of amortization of intangible assets can help to deepen your understanding of business accounting. It is a vital tool for companies and plays a key role in the financial management of a business.

Which of the Following Intangible Assets is Not Amortized

Accounting for intangible assets can be quite confusing because some intangible assets undergo amortization, while others don't. The primary difference lies in the lifespan of these assets. You should know that profitability diminishes over time for assets with a finite life. Hence, it is amortized. However, for assets with an indefinite life, the profitability remains constant. As such, these kinds of assets are not subject to amortization.

Cases When Intangible Assets are Not Amortized

Let's delve into the details and explore when intangible assets don't undergo amortization. This is a critical aspect of accounting and demands a solid understanding of different types of intangible assets.

In the accounting world, there's a standard known as IFRS 3, which states that certain intangible assets, primarily goodwill and brand names, don't undergo amortization. This rule is based on the reasoning that these particular intangible assets often have indefinite lives, and their value to a company doesn't necessarily diminish over time. They instead are subjected to impairment tests annually or whenever there is an indication of potential impairment.

• Goodwill: Goodwill typically arises when a company is purchased, and the purchase price is greater than the net identifiable assets of the company being bought. In such cases, the excess is recorded as goodwill. It's an asset that may endure indefinitely and, as such, remains unamortised.
• Brand Names: Brand names are another virtual asset that companies typically don't amortize. A well-established brand name may last indefinitely, providing continual benefits to the company.

Examples of Non-Amortized Intangible Assets

As previously stated, some intangible assets are not subject to amortization. The following examples provide a deeper understanding of these non-amortised assets.

In relation to brand names, let's take the case of Coca Cola. The 'Coca Cola' brand has been around for over a century and continues to hold substantial value for the company. It doesn't get amortized on the balance sheet due to its enduring attributes and ongoing profitability.

Reasons Behind Intangible Assets Not Being Amortized

So, do you wonder why some intangible assets aren't amortized? The reason is tied closely to the lifespan and expected benefits from these assets.

Basically, some intangible assets, like goodwill and brand names, are thought to have an indefinite lifespan, instead of a definite useful life. These assets contribute to the earning capability of the business without any discernible limit, warranting an exception to the rule of regular amortization. Rather than being written off over a fixed period, these assets are tested annually for impairment to ensure they're not overvalued on the company's balance sheet.

These stringent rules are in place to ensure that companies are not overstating the value of their assets, and thus providing a more accurate and fair view of their financial condition.

Beyond these common examples, some other intangible assets, like perpetual franchises and trademarks, may also not be amortized because they also have an indefinite lifespan.<\p>

Amortization and Impairment of Intangible Assets

When managing intangible assets, two concepts play a vital role: amortization and impairment. Both of these processes affect the valuation of assets on a company's balance sheet, and have unique implications for financial statements and tax obligations.

Differentiating Between Amortization and Impairment of Intangible Assets

Amortization and impairment deal with the reduction in value of an intangible assets, but they do so in different ways. The distinction between them is crucial for understanding how businesses manage long-term assets.

Amortization refers to the systematic reduction of the recorded cost of an intangible asset. This cost is proportionally allocated over the asset's predicted useful life. Essentially, it' the means by which a company spreads out the cost of the intangible asset over several periods. Usually, a straight-line amortization method is used, dividing the cost evenly over the estimated lifespan.

On the flip side, impairment refers to a sudden decrease in the value of an intangible asset due to unexpected events, which makes it unlikely to generate economic benefits equal to its originally recorded value. Unlike amortisation, which is a schedule-based methodology, impairment only factors in when something negatively influences the value of an asset.

How Amortization and Impairment of Intangible Assets Co-exist

Understanding how amortisation and impairment interact is fundamental to comprehending how companies handle intangible assets.

• Timing: Amortisation happens systematically, every accounting period, whereas impairment is only considered when there's a significant negative event.
• Life Span: Assets with finite lives are amortised, while assets (with finite or indefinite lives) are potentially subject to impairment.
• Value: While both processes potentially lower an asset’s value, amortisation does it predictably based on initial cost and useful life, while impairment does it unpredictably based on external or internal events.

Therefore, both concepts can apply to the same asset. A patent can be amortised yearly, but if a market change suddenly devalues it mid-year, it might also be impaired.

The Effect of Impairment on Amortization of Intangible Assets

Should impairment occur, it impacts future amortisation of an asset. The amortisation process is based on an asset's carrying value, or net book value, which is the asset's initial cost minus accumulated amortisation.

If an asset is impaired, its carrying value decreases abruptly, and this lower value is the basis for future amortisation calculations. This relationship means an impairment event changes the trajectory of an asset’s amortisation process, causing lower expenses in future periods.

Remember, both amortisation and impairment are crucial components of intangible asset accounting, each with its own circumstances, impacts, and methods of calculation. Together, they help ensure that a business’s financial statements accurately portray its financial position.

Amortization of Intangible Assets Example

Comprehending concrete examples is a very effective way to understand abstract concepts such as amortization of intangible assets. By analysing real-life business scenarios, you can not only grasp the theoretical concepts but also interpret how they apply to the financial decisions and actions of corporations.

Practical Examples of Amortization of Intangible Assets

If a corporation acquires a patent for a new technology, the patent qualifies as an intangible asset. Its usefulness won't last forever, as patents expire after a certain period. This patent has a time-limited value to the company, rendering it an amortizable asset.

Let's assume the company purchases the patent for £400,000. The patent has a lifespan of 20 years. Using the straight-line method of amortization, which is the most common method, the annual amortization expense for this patent will be:

So, in this case, each year, £20,000 is written off as an expense for this patent, reducing the patent's carrying value. By the end of the 20th year, the entire cost of an asset is written off.

Here, the company would recognize an annual expense of £100,000 related to the software program. By recognizing this £100,000 expense each year, the company is offsetting the software's cost against the income it generates.

Case Study: Amortization of Intangible Assets in a Real Business Scenario

It's essential to look at some real-world cases to understand intangible asset amortization better. Let's take an example of a globally recognized technology company, Microsoft.

In 2011 Microsoft acquired Skype for £8.5 billion. The acquisition's return wasn't immediate - Microsoft had to spend considerable resources and time integrating the Skype service into its various products, and the return on investment for Microsoft was expected to unfold over the following years.

Because of this, Microsoft did not take a one-time expense for the purchase price in 2011. Instead, it began to write down the value of the acquisition over multiple years, using the process of amortisation.

This annual expense would be deducted from the company's operating income each year, representing the cost of acquiring Skype and integrating its functions and services into Microsoft's product line-up.

Understanding Amortization of Intangible Assets Through Examples

Now consider a marketing company that creates a logo for £10,000. As this logo will be used over a period of ten years, it can be considered an intangible asset. Using the straight-line amortization method, the expense is spread out over those ten years:

So, each year, £1,000 will decrease from the logo's value, and the same amount would be recorded as an expense.

In this scenario, every year the company will record an expense of £10,000 and reduce the license's value by the same amount. Hence, by the end of the 5th year, the license is completely written off, and its value in the company's books of account becomes zero.

Characteristics of Intangible Assets Amortization

Amortization of intangible assets is a key concept in the field of accounting. It's a method used to gradually reduce the value of an intangible asset over a specific period, reflecting its utilisation and wear-and-tear. In order to effectively and accurately analyse and evaluate business finances, it is vital to understand the distinct characteristics of intangible assets amortization.

Unique Features of Amortization of Intangible Assets

Amortization of intangible assets can be complex, given the unique characteristics of these assets. Unlike tangible assets, intangible assets have no physical form and their value isn't always easily quantifiable. Rather, these assets, including patents, trademarks, and copyrights, are often identified by the economic benefits they provide to a company.

The process of amortization takes these unique features into account. Below are some essential characteristics particular to the amortization of intangible assets:

• Finite Lifespan: Amortization only applies to intangible assets with a finite or limited lifespan. An asset’s lifespan may be legally, contractually, financially, or competitively limited. Software is an example of a finite-life intangible asset. It becomes obsolete over time, hence it's amortizable.
• Economic Benefit: Intangible assets are expected to bring economic benefits to the organization over their lifespan. This concept directly helps in determining an asset’s useful life and hence affects its annual amortization.
• Recognition and Measurement: Unlike tangible assets, some intangible assets are initially recognized at cost and then amortized, while others are periodically re-measured and adjusted, impacting the impairment review.

Main Characteristics of Intangible Assets That Affect Their Amortization

Some critical characteristics of intangible assets that significantly impact their amortization include the following:

• Fair Value: The fair value of an intangible asset might be difficult to determine. It affects the initial recognition and measurement of an intangible asset, and by extension, the amount that will be amortized each period.
• Legal and Contractual Provision: Legal or contractual stipulations can impact the useful life of an asset. For example, a patent has a limited period of legal protection, which affects how it gets amortized.
• Useful Life: The duration during which the asset is expected to provide benefits to the company strongly affects its amortization. The asset cost is spread over its useful life, determining the annual amortization expense.

Insights into the Nature of Intangible Asset Amortization

The nature of intangible asset amortization becomes clearer when you understand its attributes in financial accounting and how it marks down an asset's value over time. Below are great insights into the nature of such amortization:

• Non-Cash Expense: Amortization is recorded as a non-cash expense on the company’s income statement. Even though no actual cash goes out, it significantly affects the company's net income.
• Decrease in Book Value: Each amortization period reduces the book value of the intangible asset on the company’s balance sheet.
• Tax Decuctible: Just like depreciation for tangible assets, amortization expense for intangible assets is usually tax deductible, reducing a company's taxable income.

To better comprehend the nature of intangible asset amortization, we use this formula:

Wherein, the 'Annual Amortization Expense' is the amount deducted annually, while the 'Initial Cost' is the intangible asset's purchase or creation cost, and the 'Useful Life' is how long the asset is anticipated to bring economic benefits to the company.

Understanding the characteristics and nature of intangible asset amortization is imperative to gaining a deeper understanding of how businesses manage and account for their intangible assets, and is crucial to the successful operation of virtually every company.