Key Terms: Chapter Ten

accelerated depreciation methods

Several alternative depreciation approaches that result in relatively more depreciation in early years of use, and smaller amounts during later years

capital expenditures

Ordinary and necessary costs incurred to place an item of property, plant, or equipment in its condition for intended use; such amounts are included in the asset account

capital lease

A lease that effectively transfers the risks and rewards of ownership to the lessee

change in accounting estimate

A revision of assumptions used in a related accounting calculation (e.g., change in estimated useful life of an asset); handled prospectively by revising current and future periods

declining balance depreciation method

An accelerated depreciation method by which a constant rate (that is a multiple of the straight-line rate) is multiplied by each period's beginning (constantly declining) book value

depreciable base

Cost minus salvage value; the amount of cost that will be allocated to the service life

double-declining balance depreciation

An accelerated depreciation method by which a constant rate (that is 200% of the straight-line rate) is multiplied by each period's beginning (constantly declining) book value

land improvements

Includes the cost of parking lots, sidewalks, landscaping, irrigation systems, and similar expenditures that are incurred to better land

lease/lessee and lessor

Periodic payment from the user (lessee) of an asset to an owner (lessor) of the asset

lump-sum purchase

A single price paid for a package of assets; the purchase price must be allocated to each of the components

materiality

A matter of accounting judgment; when amounts involved are slight, expediency may dictate waiving the technically correct alternative in lieu of a simpler approach

Modified Accelerated Cost Recovery

A "depreciation" approach common to the tax code; generally permits more rapid "recovery" of asset cost than GAAP approaches; MACRS - pronounced "makers"

operating lease

A lease where the lessee makes periodic payments for periodic use of an asset, but does not assume the ultimate risks and rewards of owning the asset

residual value

Amount expected be realized at the end of an asset's service life; "salvage value"

service life

The period of time that a depreciable asset will be in use by an entity; the time interval over which the asset will be depreciated

straight-line depreciation

A simple depreciation method by which the depreciable base is spread uniformly over the service life

units of output depreciation

A depreciation approach where the depreciable base is allocated to the expected total units of output; mileage, hours, etc.