What Is a Fixed Asset? Types and Examples

Fixed assets are the backbone of any successful organization, providing the essential infrastructure needed to operate and grow. From office buildings to factory equipment, these non-current assets enable businesses to deliver products, serve customers, and achieve long-term objectives. Without them, operations would grind to a halt.

In this guide, we’ll define fixed assets, explore their importance, and explain how they contribute to financial stability and growth. You’ll also learn best practices for tracking and managing fixed assets effectively, helping your organization avoid common pitfalls and make data-driven decisions that maximize value and efficiency.

Main Takeaways From This Article:

• Fixed assets are crucial physical items like machinery, vehicles, and office equipment that sustain business operations.
• These assets have distinct characteristics, including longevity, significant investment, and being subject to depreciation, making them vital for long-term financial planning.
• Effective tracking of fixed assets can lead to improved maintenance, cost savings, and better budgeting decisions.
• Organizations must adhere to proper fixed asset accounting practices, which include calculating depreciation and ensuring compliance with financial reporting standards.
• Utilizing tools like RedBeam's asset-tracking software can significantly streamline the management and monitoring of fixed assets, enhancing overall asset strategy and efficiency.
  
  

What Is a Fixed Asset?

A fixed asset is a long-term piece of property that a company owns and uses in its operations to generate income. Unlike short-term assets, such as inventory, fixed assets are not intended for sale but are used to support the business's operations over several years. Examples of fixed assets include machinery, vehicles, office equipment, furniture, and buildings. These assets play a crucial role in the day-to-day functioning and overall productivity of an organization.

Why Are Fixed Assets Important?

Fixed assets are critical to staying open and profitable; they provide the basic infrastructure or foundation on which organizations build their businesses. They play several key roles that underscore their importance:

Generate Revenue and Streamline Efficiency

Fixed assets like machinery, equipment, and buildings power revenue generation and optimize daily operations. Maintaining these assets accelerates production, enhances service delivery, and fosters a more productive work environment.

Elevate Company Valuation

Fixed assets strengthen a company’s financial standing by boosting net worth and improving balance sheet metrics. These assets attract investors and stakeholders by showcasing growth potential and profitability.

Shape Long-Term Business Growth

Fixed assets fuel strategic decisions by supporting sustained operations and growth. Acquiring, maintaining, and upgrading these resources ensures businesses adapt to challenges, seize opportunities, and stay competitive.

Characteristics of Fixed Assets

Fixed assets are an essential part of any business, and understanding their characteristics helps in managing them effectively. 

Let's explore some key characteristics that define fixed assets:

1. Tangible

Fixed assets have a physical presence and can be readily identified through touch and sight. They're the nuts and bolts of your business – the equipment you operate, the buildings you work in, and the furniture you use.

2. Longevity

Fixed assets are workhorses of the business world, lasting for years. They're used for an extended period, typically exceeding a year (e.g., factory equipment used for a decade).

3. Capital Expenditure

When you buy a fixed asset, it's an investment. The cost is capitalized, recorded on the balance sheet, and spread out as an expense over time.

4. Subject to Depreciation

Fixed assets experience wear and tear. Depreciation reflects this decline in value as they age (e.g., a delivery truck loses value over several years) and allows businesses to spread the cost of the asset over its usable life, accurately reflecting its declining value on the company's financial statements.

5. Illiquid

Fixed assets aren't like inventory that you can readily sell to customers. They are illiquid, meaning they cannot be easily converted into cash without potentially incurring a significant loss. Unlike cash or short-term investments, fixed assets are not intended for quick resale in the normal course of business.

6. Significant Investment

Fixed assets are often expensive purchases. They represent a substantial investment critical for your business operations and profitability.

Fixed Assets vs. Current Assets

Distinguishing fixed assets from current assets is essential.

A current asset, such as cash, inventory, and accounts receivable, is a short-term holding expected to convert to cash within a year.

On the other hand, fixed assets are non-current assets—long-term investments like machinery or buildings used in operations rather than for immediate resale.

While current assets act as the short-term fuel for daily business needs, non-current assets like fixed assets serve as the durable infrastructure enabling sustained production and growth.

Types and Examples of Fixed Assets

Fixed assets come in many forms, each playing a crucial role in your day-to-day operations. Here's a closer look at some of the most common types:

Machinery

Machinery includes production equipment, factory machines, and specialized tools used to create your products. Think of industrial ovens, assembly line robots, or printing presses – these are all essential fixed assets that keep your production humming.

Vehicles

Delivery trucks, company cars, forklifts, and other transportation equipment are fixed assets that get your products moving. Whether you're delivering goods to customers or transporting materials within your facility, these vehicles keep your business mobile and efficient. 

Office Equipment

The technology that powers your daily operations falls under office equipment. This includes computers, printers, copiers, servers, and networking equipment. These assets ensure your employees have the tools they need to communicate, collaborate, and keep your business running smoothly.

Buildings and Real Estate

The physical structures that house your operations are fixed assets. This includes factories, warehouses, office buildings, retail storefronts, and any other land or structures your company owns. These assets provide the critical space you need to conduct business and store your inventory.

Furniture and Fixtures

Desks, chairs, filing cabinets, bookshelves, and other furnishings used in your workplace are considered fixed assets. While they may not be directly involved in the production, they create a functional and comfortable environment for your employees to perform their tasks effectively.

Fixed Asset Accounting

Fixed asset accounting ensures your financial statements accurately reflect the value of your long-term assets. A crucial aspect of this is calculating and tracking depreciation.

Calculating and Tracking Asset Depreciation 

Depreciation is one of the most important financial reasons businesses track their physical assets. Depreciation refers to the value that a fixed asset loses over time. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) allows you to deduct this lost value when calculating your taxes.

To track and write off depreciation, you must document your assets' worth and keep accurate records of how much their worth reduces over time. Businesses often use depreciation schedules to plan how assets will decrease in value. This is a document that charts the object's value over time. 

Start by selecting one of the two depreciation methods below:

• Straight-Line Method: Spreads the asset's cost evenly over its useful life.
• Double-Declining Balance Method: Depreciates the asset faster in the early years of its life.

Next, apply the chosen method by using the asset's initial cost, its expected salvage value, and its useful life. This calculation will help you systematically reduce the asset's value on your balance sheet over time.

Recording and Tracking Fixed Assets

Maintaining accurate and detailed records of all fixed assets is critical for effective asset management. This includes meticulous documentation of purchase dates, costs, upgrades, and depreciation. By keeping comprehensive records, organizations can ensure they are fully aware of their asset statuses and can make informed decisions regarding maintenance, replacements, and budgeting. 

• Purchase Dates: Knowing when an asset was acquired helps determine warranties and lifecycle.
• Costs: Tracking costs is essential for budgeting and financial analysis.
• Upgrades: Documenting upgrades ensures that the asset’s current value is accurately represented.
• Depreciation: Monitoring depreciation helps in accurate financial reporting and tax deductions.

Accurate fixed asset records not only aid in financial reporting but also enhance operational efficiency and compliance. Learn more about optimizing your asset management with RedBeam.

Compliance and Reporting

The business world runs on rules, and fixed asset accounting is no exception. Regulatory bodies establish guidelines for how companies record and report on their assets.

Accounting standards, like Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) or International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), dictate how fixed assets are valued and depreciated. Maintaining accurate records ensures your financial statements comply with these regulations. This avoids potential penalties or delays during audits.

Financial statements paint a picture of your company's health. Without proper fixed asset documentation, the value of your assets could be misrepresented, leading to inaccurate financial reporting. This can mislead investors, creditors, and other stakeholders who rely on your financial health to make informed decisions.

Tips for Managing Your Company's Fixed Assets Effectively

While asset-tracking systems may vary among organizations, here are some universally beneficial tips for effective fixed asset management:

• Maintain an Accurate Tracking System: An effective asset tracking system enables managers to accurately assess the value of fixed assets and anticipate depreciation over time.
• Distinguish Owned from Leased Assets: It's crucial to understand the difference; owned assets are "capitalized," while leased assets are categorized as expenses. Proper classification enhances efficient usage and financial reporting.
• Segregate Records for Different Asset Types: Maintain separate records for assets leased for company use and those utilized in other capacities, as this affects equity calculations.
• Monitor Depreciation Accurately: Track depreciation as it occurs and perform regular annual reviews to adjust financial records and reflect asset value accurately.
• Keep Detailed and Current Records: Ensuring your records are accurate and up-to-date facilitates better decision-making regarding asset management and supports precise cost tracking for taxation purposes.

Optimize Your Asset Strategy with RedBeam

Managing fixed assets doesn’t have to be complicated. RedBeam streamlines every step of the process, helping you save time, reduce costs, and ensure compliance. Here’s how:

• Faster Audits: Centralized, user-friendly data storage makes audits up to 70% quicker and more accurate.
• Enhanced Asset Visibility: Track, locate, and assign assets, reducing risks of loss or misuse.
• Regulatory Compliance: Maintain precise records to meet financial standards and avoid penalties.
• Scalable Solutions: Adapt to your business needs, supporting unlimited locations and transfers.
• Advanced Integration: With Zebra Technologies’ barcoding and tracking solutions, RedBeam’s user-friendly interface simplifies scanning and eliminates manual processes.
• Complete Tracking: Get detailed, date-stamped logs for transparent asset management.
  Take control of your fixed assets today—start with a free 30-day trial and experience the RedBeam difference!

Partnering with renowned manufacturers and technology resellers in the asset tracking industry, such as Zebra Technologies, is a significant accomplishment for RedBeam.

Zebra’s state-of-the-art technologies are integrated into our asset tracking technology package, fully compatible with the RedBeam software. The Zebra warranty assures customers that their hardware investment is protected, and its advanced features significantly increase the speed and efficiency of asset tracking.

Our in-depth knowledge of Zebra products enables us to make tailored hardware recommendations based on your business needs and budget.

Stop guessing; start knowing! Take control of your fixed assets today. Try the RedBeam 30-day free trial and see the difference!

FAQs

Are Fixed Assets Considered Tangible or Intangible Assets?

Fixed assets are tangible assets. Unlike intangible assets like brand reputation or intellectual property, fixed assets have a physical presence and can be readily identified through touch and sight. Think buildings, equipment, or machinery – these are all tangible fixed assets contributing to your business operations.

How Do You Classify Fixed Assets?

Fixed assets are typically classified on the company's balance sheet under property, plant, and equipment (PP&E). They can be further categorized based on their specific function, such as machinery, buildings, or furniture.

What Are Net Fixed Assets?

Net Fixed Assets are a company's long-term tangible assets minus accumulated depreciation. They represent the current book value of assets such as machinery, buildings, or vehicles that are used in operations. Calculated using the formula: Net Fixed Assets = Total Fixed Assets - Accumulated Depreciation, this figure indicates the remaining value of assets after accounting for wear and tear. Businesses use net fixed assets to assess investment longevity and operational capacity. For example, a factory's equipment valued at $1 million with $300,000 depreciation has net fixed assets of $700,000.

What Is Fixed Asset Turnover Ratio?

Fixed asset turnover ratio shows how efficiently a company generates sales from its fixed assets. Calculated as: Net Sales ÷ Average Net Fixed Assets, a higher ratio indicates better asset utilization. For example, $1M in sales with $500K in fixed assets yields a ratio of 2, meaning $2 in sales per $1 of assets.

What Is the Minimum Amount for A Fixed Asset?

There's no universally defined minimum amount for a fixed asset. The key factor is whether the item is expected to last more than one year and has a significant value to warrant inclusion on the company's balance sheet. Generally, companies establish their own capitalization thresholds to determine which assets qualify as fixed assets.

How To Write Off Fixed Assets?

When a fixed asset reaches the end of its useful life or is no longer needed, it's removed from the company's books through a process called depreciation. The accumulated depreciation is subtracted from the original asset cost, resulting in a final book value. The asset may then be disposed of, and any remaining value can be recognized as a gain or loss on the company's income statement.