Aktiva

Aktiva (singular: Aktivum) are a fundamental concept in accounting and business, representing the resources controlled by an entity as a result of past events and from which future economic benefits are expected to flow to the entity. In simpler terms, assets are what a company owns that have value and can be used to generate income or provide other benefits.

Assets are typically recorded on the balance sheet, one of the core financial statements. They are categorized based on their liquidity and physical nature. Common classifications include:

• Current Assets: Assets expected to be converted to cash or used up within one year or the operating cycle, whichever is longer. Examples include cash, accounts receivable, inventory, and prepaid expenses.

• Non-Current Assets (also called Long-Term Assets): Assets not expected to be converted to cash or used up within one year. Examples include property, plant, and equipment (PP&E), intangible assets, and long-term investments.

• Tangible Assets: Assets with physical substance. Examples include land, buildings, machinery, and equipment.

• Intangible Assets: Assets without physical substance but representing valuable rights or privileges. Examples include patents, trademarks, copyrights, and goodwill.

The valuation of assets is a critical aspect of accounting. Assets are generally recorded at their historical cost (the original purchase price). However, some assets may be subject to depreciation (for tangible assets) or amortization (for intangible assets with a finite life) to reflect their declining value over time. Certain assets may also be revalued to fair market value under specific accounting standards.

Assets are crucial for a company's financial health and ability to generate profits. The efficient management and utilization of assets are key responsibilities of business management.