Lease Accounting: What are Assets and Liabilities?

Last Updated on January 11, 2024 by Morgan Beard

Lease accounting is a complex process that requires careful consideration of various financial elements. One crucial aspect of lease accounting is understanding assets and liabilities and how they relate to lease agreements. In this blog post, we will shed light on the concept of assets and liabilities in the context of lease accounting, providing a comprehensive understanding of their significance.

Introduction to Lease Accounting

Lease accounting refers to the process of accounting for lease agreements, where one party (the lessee) agrees to use an asset owned by another party (the lessor) for a specific period in exchange for financial considerations.

The introduction of the new lease accounting standard, ASC 842, by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) and the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) 16 by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), has brought about significant changes in lease accounting practices.

These new standards aim to improve transparency and standardize lease accounting across industries. As per these standards, leases that meet specific criteria need to be recognized on the balance sheet as both assets and liabilities.

Assets, Liabilities & Financial Planning

Proper lease accounting also supports effective financial planning and risk management. By recognizing lease assets and liabilities on the balance sheet, companies gain better visibility into their near-term and long-term financial obligations. This allows for more accurate financial forecasting and cash flow projections. Companies can better manage risks like liquidity crunches by structuring lease terms and payments appropriately.

Banks and lenders also prefer this approach, as it provides transparency to the company’s financial commitments. With ASC 842, financial institutions have a more transparent look into a company’s total assets and financial strength or weakness in which they are positioned. Overall, the comprehensive approach to lease accounting aligns with sound accounting principles and provides a truer representation of a company’s economic value. With lease accounting and financial analysis processes outlined, companies can make decisions from an informed standpoint, enhancing operational and financial planning.

Understanding Assets in Lease Accounting

In lease accounting, assets are economic resources held or controlled by an entity as a result of past events, from which future economic benefits are expected to flow. Lease agreements typically outline the financial documentation in relation to assets which refer to the right to use an underlying leased item or property and total liabilities. 

Classification of Assets

Assets in lease accounting can be classified based on various factors, such as convertibility, physical existence, and usage.

1. Based on convertibility:
   • Current Assets: These are assets expected to be consumed, sold, or converted to cash within one year or the normal operating cycle of a business. In the context of lease accounting, this could include short-term leases or leasehold improvements.
   • Non-Current Assets: These are assets that are not expected to be converted to cash or consumed within the next year or the normal operating cycle. Long-term lease agreements and leased assets fall under this category.
2. Based on physical existence:
   • Tangible Assets: These are physical assets that have a physical form and can be touched, seen, or felt. Tangible assets in lease accounting may include leased buildings, equipment, vehicles, or furniture.
   • Intangible Assets: These are non-physical assets that do not have a physical existence. Examples of intangible assets in lease accounting include leased patents, copyrights, trademarks, or software licenses.
3. Based on usage:
   • Operating Assets: These are assets used in the day-to-day operations of a business and generate revenue through their usage. In lease accounting, operating assets typically refer to assets leased for operational purposes, such as office spaces or manufacturing equipment.
   • Non-Operating Assets: These are assets that are not used directly in the production or operations of a business but are held for investment purposes. Non-operating assets in lease accounting may include properties leased for rental income or leased assets held for capital appreciation.

It is important to consider these classifications when accounting for lease assets as they determine how the lease agreement and associated costs are recorded in financial statements.

Role of Liabilities in Lease Accounting

Liabilities, on the other hand, represent the obligations or debts owed by an entity to other parties, arising from past events. In lease accounting, liabilities typically refer to the contractual obligations stemming from the lease agreement.

Recognition of Lease Liabilities

Under the new lease accounting standards, lessees are required to recognize lease liabilities on their balance sheets. The lease liability represents the present value of future lease payments discounted at an appropriate interest rate.

Recognizing lease liabilities on the balance sheet provides a more accurate representation of a company’s financial obligations and enhances the transparency of its financial position.

Linking Assets and Liabilities in Lease Accounting

In lease accounting, there is a direct relationship between assets and liabilities. The recognition of a lease liability on the balance sheet corresponds to the recognition of a right-of-use (ROU) asset.

The ROU asset represents the lessee’s right to use the leased asset throughout the lease term. It is measured initially at the lease liability amount, adjusted for any initial direct costs incurred and certain other components, such as lease incentives or initial direct costs.

The recognition of both the lease liability and the ROU asset provides a comprehensive representation of the lessee’s lease-related financial obligations and the economic benefits derived from the lease agreement.

Lease Accounting Scenario: Understanding Assets and Liabilities

Let’s consider a hypothetical scenario to better understand how assets and liabilities are accounted for in lease accounting:

Occupier Corp, a commercial tenant, enters into a lease agreement with a lessor to rent office space for a period of five years. The annual rent for the office space is $100,000, payable at the beginning of each year.

Asset Recognition:

Occupier will recognize a right-of-use (ROU) asset on its balance sheet, representing its right to use the leased office space for the lease term. The initial measurement of the ROU asset will be equal to the lease liability, which is the present value of future lease payments.

Liability Recognition:

Occupier will also recognize a lease liability on its balance sheet. The lease liability represents the present value of future lease payments, discounted at an appropriate interest rate.

Journal Entries:

In addition, Occupier Lease Accounting Software empowers the creation of journal entries.

Debits:

• Right-of-Use (ROU) Asset – To initially record the ROU asset equal to the lease liability.
• Lease Expense – To record lease expense over the term of the lease.
• Interest Expense – To record interest expense on the lease liability.
• Cash – To record lease payments made.

Credits 

• Lease Liability – To initially record the lease liability equal to present value of future payments.
• Interest Expense – To accrue interest on the lease liability.
• Lease Liability – To reduce lease liability as payments are made.
• Accumulated Depreciation – To record depreciation expense for the ROU asset.
• Cash – To record lease incentives received from lessor.

By recording these journal entries each year, Occupier accurately reflects your lease-related expenses, the ongoing liability, and the corresponding asset on its financial statements.

Advantages of a Comprehensive Lease Accounting Approach

Taking a comprehensive approach to lease accounting, including recognizing assets and liabilities, offers various advantages:

1. Enhanced Transparency and Accuracy: Recognizing both assets and liabilities provides a more accurate representation of a company’s financial position, allowing stakeholders to have a comprehensive understanding of its lease-related obligations and assets.
2. Standardization and Compliance: The introduction of ASC 842 and IFRS 16 ensures standardization of lease accounting practices across industries, making it easier for stakeholders to compare financial statements of different companies.
3. Improved Decision-making: Accurate lease accounting enables informed decision-making regarding lease agreements, including lease renewals, lease buyouts, or lease terminations.
4. Efficient Lease Management: Recognizing assets and liabilities helps companies efficiently manage their lease agreements, monitor lease-related costs, and plan for future obligations.

Assets & Liabilities Summarized

Understanding assets and liabilities in the context of lease accounting is crucial for accurate and transparent financial reporting. Assets in lease accounting represent the right to use leased items or properties, classified based on various factors such as convertibility, physical existence, and usage. Liabilities, on the other hand, represent the financial obligations arising from lease agreements.

By recognizing both assets and liabilities, companies can provide a more accurate representation of their financial position, comply with lease accounting standards, and make informed decisions regarding lease agreements.

It is essential for commercial tenants, CPAs, and in-house accounting teams to have a user-friendly and collaborative solution to streamline lease management and accounting processes. Occupier, a leading lease management platform, offers just that. With Occupier’s innovative features and intuitive interface, lease accounting becomes more efficient and error-free.

In need of lease accounting resources? Our Occupier Resource Hub has you covered with spreadsheets, templates and guides for lease management and lease accounting workflows.