Automating asset management activities represents an important control. Typically this relates to the capture and reporting of information. However a better approach is to apply automation at the workflow level and as a means to automatically force compliance with policies and regulations. Doing so would also, by design, include data capture activities. Of particular significance […]
In order to identify the classes of expensed/non-capitalized assets to be tracked and included within an asset management program, you must establish a set of criteria. For example, assets that contain confidential information need to be controlled. Assets susceptible to theft or misplacement warrant inclusion as well. In some cases an asset is constructed from […]
The term asset management is used to represent a system of internal controls designed to safeguard and track the property of an organization. Most organizations have a policy to capitalize only those assets which cost more than a specified amount and expense all equipment whose value is below the threshold limit. Similarly, fixed assets which […]
Generally speaking, a fixed asset register is intended to be used for depreciation reporting – not for tracking physical assets. Consequently, the vast majority of registers either don’t accommodate the detail needed to track assets or the personnel who maintain a register typically do not have enough reliable information in order to include tracking details. […]
In the last entry, we touched upon register adjustments related to additions. Potential adjustments can also be associated with (but are not limited to): Removal of an asset that could not be verified during the physical count (referred to as a write down or write off) Change of location, which can impact property tax Allocation […]
In order to reconcile capitalized fixed assets, Verasset must first conduct a physical inventory count. Prior to beginning the physical verification task, we compile a list of asset types that will be included in the physical inventory. The results from the physical count are used to verify or adjust the fixed asset register records. During […]
Reconciling physical assets to ledger entries, also known as matching, can take on a variety of forms. In fact, the reason to reorganize and categorize asset registers as an initial first step is to aid later on when attempting to compare and match records to assets. It is important to note that reconciling using assumptions […]
As discussed earlier in this blog series, the first step in reconciliation consists of exact matching of physical assets to logical records using unique identifiers, such as the manufacturer serial number. Once all possible matches are made using this means, additional analysis is done and matches are made using various means. One means entails using […]
Reconciliation can be very time consuming and labor intensive, thus expensive. In recognition of this, our next step in the review process is to sort register entries based upon their remaining value (and useful life expectancy). Doing so provides focus of effort based upon the value being returned. For example, unless there are some other […]
To simplify the reconciliation process and prepare the fixed asset register, we make a copy of the existing register and reorganize the information contained within it. Each entry in the register is evaluated on a line by line basis. The task begins by identifying intangible and tangible entries. We then categorize entries into similar high-level […]