Back to Financial Accounting
KASNEB · FoundationFinancial AccountingBETA — flag if wrong

Accounting for Non-Current Assets

Capitalisation of cost, depreciation methods (straight-line, reducing-balance, sum-of-digits, units-of-production), disposal of assets, and revaluation.

4objectives
4revision lessons
12practice questions

What you’ll learn

Aligned to the KASNEB Financial Accounting syllabus.

Identifying Cost Components of Non-Current Assets (IAS 16)

BETA — flag if wrongAI 94

Under IAS 16, the cost of a non-current asset includes all expenditures directly attributable to bringing the asset to its intended use. This encompasses the purchase price, import duties, and non-refundable taxes. Additionally, costs incurred for site preparation, delivery, and installation should be capitalized. Any initial estimates of dismantling or removing the asset and restoring the site are also included in the asset's cost.

In the Kenyan context, ensure compliance with the Companies Act 2015 and consider the implications of the KRA regulations on capital allowances. Understanding these components is crucial for accurate financial reporting and compliance with IFRS standards.

For example, when a company purchases machinery, the total cost recognized on the balance sheet will include the purchase price, transportation costs, installation expenses, and any applicable taxes. This comprehensive approach ensures that the asset is recorded at its true cost, reflecting its economic value to the business.

Key points

  • Include purchase price and non-refundable taxes.
  • Capitalize costs of delivery, installation, and site preparation.
  • Estimate dismantling costs as part of asset cost.
  • Ensure compliance with Companies Act 2015.
  • Accurate cost recognition aids financial reporting.
Worked example

Calculation of Non-Current Asset Cost

Transaction: A company purchases machinery for KES 1,000,000. Additional costs include:

  • Delivery: KES 50,000
  • Installation: KES 30,000
  • Non-refundable taxes: KES 20,000
  • Dismantling cost estimate: KES 10,000

Total Cost Calculation:

| Cost Component | KES | |------------------------|------------| | Purchase Price | 1,000,000 | | Delivery Costs | 50,000 | | Installation Costs | 30,000 | | Non-refundable Taxes | 20,000 | | Dismantling Estimate | 10,000 | | Total Cost | 1,110,000 |

Thus, the total cost capitalized for the machinery is KES 1,110,000.

More on this topic

CF11.6.b Computing Depreciation for Non-Current AssetsBETA — flag if wrongAI 85
Depreciation is the systematic allocation of the cost of a non-current asset over its useful life. The main methods of calculating depreciation include straight-line, reducing-balance, sum-of-digits, and units-of-production methods. Each method reflects different patterns of asset usage and expense recognition.

1. Straight-Line Method: This method allocates an equal amount of depreciation each year. The formula is:

\[ \text{Depreciation Expense} = \frac{\text{Cost} - \text{Residual Value}}{\text{Useful Life}} \]

2. Reducing-Balance Method: This method applies a fixed percentage to the carrying amount of the asset each year, resulting in decreasing depreciation expenses over time. The formula is:

\[ \text{Depreciation Expense} = \text{Carrying Amount} \times \text{Depreciation Rate} \]

3. Sum-of-Digits Method: This method accelerates depreciation by allocating more expense in the earlier years. The formula involves calculating the sum of the digits of the useful life and applying it to the remaining life of the asset.

4. Units-of-Production Method: This method bases depreciation on actual usage. The formula is:

\[ \text{Depreciation Expense} = \frac{\text{Cost} - \text{Residual Value}}{\text{Total Estimated Units}} \times \text{Units Produced} \]

Select the appropriate method based on the nature of the asset and the business’s financial reporting objectives.
CF11.6.c Disposing of Non-Current Assets and Calculating Profit/LossBETA — flag if wrongAI 94
When disposing of a non-current asset, it is essential to determine the profit or loss on disposal. This involves comparing the sale proceeds with the asset's carrying amount (net book value). According to IAS 16, the carrying amount is the asset's cost less accumulated depreciation and any impairment losses.

1. Calculate the Carrying Amount:
- Determine the cost of the asset.
- Subtract accumulated depreciation.
- If applicable, account for any impairment losses.

2. Determine Sale Proceeds:
- Identify the cash received or receivable from the sale.

3. Calculate Profit or Loss on Disposal:
- Profit/Loss = Sale Proceeds - Carrying Amount.
- A positive result indicates a profit, while a negative result indicates a loss.

For Kenyan businesses, ensure compliance with the Companies Act 2015 when recording disposals and consider any tax implications under KRA regulations. Accurate records of disposals are crucial for financial reporting and tax purposes.
CF11.6.d Preparing a Non-Current Asset ScheduleBETA — flag if wrongAI 100
A non-current asset schedule provides a detailed overview of an entity's non-current assets, including their cost, accumulated depreciation, and net book value (NBV). This schedule is essential for financial reporting under IAS 16 - Property, Plant and Equipment.

To prepare the non-current asset schedule, follow these steps:
1. List each non-current asset: Include the asset's description and date of acquisition.
2. Record the cost: This includes the purchase price and any directly attributable costs necessary to bring the asset to its intended use.
3. Calculate accumulated depreciation: Use the appropriate method (straight-line or reducing balance) as per the company's policy. Ensure that the depreciation expense is recorded annually.
4. Determine the NBV: Subtract accumulated depreciation from the cost of the asset. This represents the asset's current value on the balance sheet.

Ensure compliance with the Companies Act 2015 and relevant IFRS standards when preparing the schedule. This schedule is crucial for stakeholders, including investors and regulators, to assess the financial health of the business.

Sample KASNEB-style questions

3 of 12 questions. Beta-flagged questions are AI-drafted and pending CPA review — flag anything that looks wrong.

Q1 · SHORT ANSWER · easyVerified by Kenyan CPAAI 100

Name two cost components that should be capitalised when initially recognising a building under IAS 16. (2 marks)

Q2 · SHORT ANSWER · mediumBETA — flag if wrong

(b) The following is a summary of the cash book of Azimio Ltd. for the year ended 31 May 2014: Cash book Sh.000 Sh.000 Balance brought forward Receipts 805 145,720 146,525 Payments Balance carried forward 146,203 322 146,525 Subsequent investigations reveal that: 1. A page of the receipt side of the cash book has been under cast by Sh.200, 000. 2. The following transactions appearing on the bank statement have not yet been entered in the cash book: ∑ Dividend received on a trade investment Sh.1, 147,000. ∑ Hire purchase repayments for 12 months at Sh.55, 000 per month. ∑ Interest for the half year to 30 November 2014 on a loan of Sh.20, 000,000 at 11 percent per annum. 3. Bank charges of Sh. 143,000 shown on the bank statement have not yet been entered in the cash book. 4. A cheque received from a customer for Sh.180, 000 was returned by the bank unpaid and no entry has been made in the cash book for this transaction. 5. The company owes Sh.430, 000 for electricity consumed in the month of May 2014. 6. A cheque for Sh.82, 000 has been debited to the company's account in error by the bank. 7. A cheque drawn for Sh.98, 000 has been entered in the cash book as Sh.89, 000 and another one- drawn for Sh.230, 000 has been entered as a receipt. 8. A transposition error occurred in the opening balance of the cash book. The opening balance should have been brought down as Sh.850, 000 instead of Sh.805, 000. 9. Cheques paid to suppliers totalling Sh.630, 000 have not yet been presented at the bank, while deposits totaling Sh.580, 000 made on 31 May 2014 have not yet been credited to the company's account. 10. The balance as per the bank statement is an overdraft of Sh.870, 000. Required: (i) Adjusted cash book balance. (ii) Bank reconciliation statement as at 31 May 2014.

Q3 · SHORT ANSWER · mediumBETA — flag if wrong

(a) The property, plant and equipment balances of Matatizo Ltd. comprised the following as at 1 January 2013: Cost Depreciation Net book value Sh. ‘000’ Sh. ‘000’ Sh. ‘000’ Freehold land Buildings Plant and machinery Motor vehicles 30,000 38,520 70,200 37,800 - - 37,812 23,040 30,000 38,520 32,388 14,760 The company uses the straight line method of depreciation on assets as follows: • 10% per annum for plant and machinery. • 20% per annum for motor vehicles. REVISION PARTNER 4 CPA SEC 1-FA, LAW AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP Additional information: 1. It is the company's policy to make a depreciation charge proportionate to the period of usage of the asset. 2. An item of machinery bought on 1 July 2009 for Sh.10,080.000 was sold on 1 April 2013 at Sh.6,000,000. 3. From the year ended 31 December 2013, the management of the company decided to charge depreciation on buildings at a rate of 2.5% per annum. The buildings were all completed on 1 July 2009. 4. On 1 January 2013, a vehicle purchased on 1 May 2010 for Sh.12,600,000 was traded in at a value of Sh.7,320,000 in part exchange for a new vehicle costing Sh.18,000,000. 5. Included in machinery is an old machine which originally cost Sh.13, 500,000 and which was already fully depreciated and not expected to yield any material amount on either use or resale. 6. On 30 June 2013, a machine costing Sh.13, 500,000 was purchased from a vendor who had used it for three years. The vendor had bought the machine at Sh.18,000,000. Another machine costing Sh.10,500,000 was purchased on 1 August 2013. Required: A schedule showing the movement of property, plant and equipment for the year ended 31 December 2013.

Practice the full question bank with the AI tutor

12 questions on this topic alone. Get feedback after every attempt; the tutor re-explains what you got wrong. Beta access is free.

Reserve beta access

Common questions

Identify the cost components capitalised on initial recognition (IAS 16)

Include purchase price and non-refundable taxes.

Compute depreciation using the straight-line, reducing-balance, sum-of-digits and units-of-production methods

Straight-line: equal expense each year.

Account for the disposal of a non-current asset and compute profit/loss on disposal

Calculate carrying amount: Cost - Accumulated depreciation.

Prepare the non-current asset schedule (cost, accumulated depreciation, NBV)

List non-current assets with acquisition dates.

More from Financial Accounting

AI tutor for the full CPA pathway

Financial Accounting is one of 18 CPA papers covered. Beta access is free; KES 1,500/month at launch.

See the full CPA pathway →