Definitions of Terms

Amortization

In general, the allocation of the cost of a long-term asset over its useful life; the term is also used specifically to define the allocation process for intangible assets.

Boot

A term commonly applied to monetary consideration given or received as a net settle-up in what is otherwise an asset exchange situation.

Carrying amount

The amount at which an asset is presented on the balance sheet, which is its cost (or other allowable basis, such as fair value), net of any accumulated depreciation and accumulated impairment losses thereon.

Cash generating unit

The smallest identifiable group of assets that generates cash inflows from continuing use, largely independent of the cash inflows associated with other assets or groups of assets.

Corporate assets

Assets, excluding goodwill, that contribute to future cash flows of both the cash generating unit under review for impairment and other cash generating units.

Cost

Amount of cash or cash equivalent paid or the fair value of other consideration given to acquire or construct an asset.

Costs of disposal

The incremental costs directly associated with the disposal of an asset; these do not include financing costs or related income tax effects.

Depreciable amount

Cost of an asset or the other amount that has been substituted for cost, less the residual value of the asset.

Depreciation

Systematic and rational allocation of the depreciable amount of an asset over its economic life.

Exchange

Reciprocal transfer between an enterprise and another entity that results in the acquisition of assets or services, or the satisfaction of liabilities through a transfer of other assets, services, or other obligations.

Fair value

Amount that would be obtained for an asset in an arm's-length exchange transaction between knowledgeable, willing parties.

Fixed assets

Assets used in a productive capacity that have physical substance, are relatively long-lived, and provide future benefit that is readily measurable. Also referred to as property, plant, and equipment.

Impairment loss

The excess of the carrying amount of an asset over its recoverable amount.

Intangible assets

Nonmonetary assets, without physical substance, held for use in the production or supply of goods or services or for rental to others, or for administrative purposes, which are identifiable and are controlled by the enterprise as a result of past events, and from which future economic benefits are expected to flow.

Monetary assets

Assets whose amounts are fixed in terms of units of currency. Examples are cash, accounts receivable, and notes receivable.

Net selling price

The amount that could be realized from the sale of an asset by means of an arm's-length transaction, less costs of disposal.

Nonmonetary assets

Assets other than monetary assets. Examples are inventories; investments in common stock; and property, plant, and equipment.

Nonmonetary transactions

Exchanges and nonreciprocal transfers that involve little or no monetary assets or liabilities.

Nonreciprocal transfer

Transfer of assets or services in one direction, either from an enterprise to its owners or another entity, or from owners or another entity to the enterprise. An enterprise's reacquisition of its outstanding stock is a nonreciprocal transfer.

Property, plant, and equipment

Tangible assets with an expected useful life of more than one year, that are held for use in the process of producing goods or services for sale, that are held for rental to others, or that are held for administrative purposes; also referred to commonly as fixed assets.

Recoverable amount

The greater of an asset's net selling price or its value in use.

Residual value

Estimated net amount expected to be obtained on ultimate disposition of the asset after its useful life has ended, net of estimated costs of disposal.

Similar productive assets

Productive assets that are of the same general type, that perform the same function, or that are employed in the same line of business.

Useful life

Period over which an asset will be employed in a productive capacity, as measured either by the time over which it is expected to be used, or the number of production units expected to be obtained from the asset by the enterprise.