Question

Assume you are in support of the historical cost basis as required by GAAP. Discuss why you think the historical cost approach best values the long-term assets on the balance sheet. In addition, provide an example to support your position.

Answer 1

A historical cost is a measure of value used in accounting in which the value of an asset on the balance sheet is recorded at its original cost when acquired by the company. The historical cost method is used for fixed assets in the United States under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).

KEY TAKEAWAYS
Most long-term assets are recorded at their historical cost on a company's balance sheet.
Historical cost is one of the basic accounting principles laid out under generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
Historical cost is in line with conservative accounting, as it prevents overstating the value of an asset.
Highly liquid assets may be recorded at fair market value, and impaired assets may be written down to fair market value.

The historical cost principle is a basic accounting principle under U.S. GAAP. Under the historical cost principle, most assets are to be recorded on the balance sheet at their historical cost even if they have significantly increased in value over time. Not all assets are held at historical cost. For example, marketable securities are recorded at their fair market value on the balance sheet, and impaired intangible assets are written down from historical cost to their fair market value

Valuing assets at historical cost prevents overstating an asset's value when asset appreciation may be the result of volatile market conditions. For example, if a company's main headquarters, including the land and building, was purchased for $100,000 in 1925, and its expected market value today is $20 million, the asset is still recorded on the balance sheet at $100,000.

Asset Depreciation
Furthermore, in accordance with accounting conservatism, asset depreciation must be recorded to account for wear and tear on long-lived assets. Fixed assets, such as buildings and machinery, will have depreciation recorded on a regular basis over the asset's useful life. On the balance sheet, annual depreciation is accumulated over time and recorded below an asset's historical cost. The subtraction of accumulated depreciation from the historical cost results in a lower net asset value, ensuring no overstatement of an asset's true value