
As the balance in the accumulated depreciation increases, total assets actually decrease. This might seem counterintuitive, but it's a crucial concept to grasp when managing a company's finances.
Accumulated depreciation is a contra-asset account that represents the total amount of depreciation expense recorded by a company over its assets' useful lives. As the balance in this account grows, it reduces the net value of the assets, which in turn decreases the total assets on the balance sheet.
The net value of an asset is calculated by subtracting its accumulated depreciation from its original cost. For example, if a company purchased a piece of equipment for $10,000 and has recorded $3,000 in accumulated depreciation, the net value of the equipment would be $7,000.
What Is Accumulated Depreciation?
Accumulated depreciation is a contra-asset account that tracks the total amount of depreciation expense allocated to a specific asset since it was put into use. It's a negative asset account that offsets the balance in the asset account it's associated with.
Accumulated depreciation is created by crediting the same amount of depreciation expense to the account, allowing the company to show both the cost of the asset and total-to-date depreciation of the asset. This also shows the asset's net book value on the balance sheet.
The balance sheet reflects the fixed asset's original price and the total of accumulated depreciation, which is a credit entry. This means that as the balance in accumulated depreciation increases, the net book value of the asset decreases.
Accumulated depreciation is calculated by recording the depreciation expense for an asset each month, which is the same amount each month, but the accumulated depreciation increases by the amount added to it each month. For example, if an asset has a depreciation expense of $100 each month, the accumulated depreciation would be reported as $9,000 after 90 months.
Here's a breakdown of how accumulated depreciation works:
As you can see, the depreciation expense remains the same each month, but the accumulated depreciation increases by the amount added to it each month.
Understanding Accumulated Depreciation
Accumulated depreciation is a running total of the depreciation expense recorded over the years for a specific asset. It's a contra-asset account that offsets the balance in the asset account it's associated with.
The balance in accumulated depreciation increases as depreciation expense is recorded each month. This is because the same amount of depreciation expense is credited to the accumulated depreciation account as it is recorded in the expense account.
The difference between accumulated depreciation and the original cost of a long-lived asset is called net book value. This is calculated by subtracting the accumulated depreciation from the original cost of the asset.
Purpose
Accumulated depreciation is a crucial concept in accounting, and its purpose is to track the total decrease in value of an asset over its useful life.
It helps businesses and individuals to accurately reflect the value of their assets on their balance sheets and income statements.
Accumulated depreciation is a contra-asset account, meaning it is a separate account that offsets the asset's original cost.

This allows businesses to show the asset's remaining value, rather than its original cost, which can be misleading.
Accumulated depreciation is calculated by subtracting the asset's current value from its original cost.
By doing this, businesses can see the total decrease in value over time, which is essential for making informed financial decisions.
Accumulated depreciation is an essential tool for businesses to manage their assets effectively and make accurate financial reports.
Explanation
Accumulated depreciation is a credit entry that represents the decrease in value of a long-lived asset over time. This decrease is recorded in a special account called Accumulated Depreciation.
The original cost of an asset is reported on the balance sheet, along with the accumulated depreciation. The difference between the two is called the net book value. For example, if an asset was purchased for $1 million and $200,000 was depreciated each year, the net book value would be $400,000.
Accumulated Depreciation is a contra account, meaning it records a decrease that belongs to another account. In the case of a long-lived asset, the credit is made to the Accumulated Depreciation account instead of the asset account directly.

Depreciation expense is the same each month, but Accumulated Depreciation increases by the amount that is added to it each month. For instance, if the depreciation expense is $100 per month, Accumulated Depreciation would be reported as $9,000 after 90 months.
The entry for straight-line depreciation is:
- Debit: Depreciation Expense ($100)
- Credit: Accumulated Depreciation ($100)
This entry is made automatically each month as part of the adjusting entries in accounting software like Sage 50, provided you have set up recurring journal entries.
Accumulated Depreciation Video
Accumulated depreciation is a key concept in accounting that affects a company's financial statements. It's the total amount of depreciation expenses recorded over the life of an asset.
You can quickly grasp the main ideas by watching a short video, which explains what accumulated depreciation is and how depreciation expenses are calculated.
Accumulated Depreciation
Accumulated Depreciation is a contra-asset account that tracks the total amount of depreciation expense allocated to a specific asset since it was put into use. It's a running total of the depreciation expense that has been recorded over the years.

Accumulated Depreciation increases by the amount of depreciation expense recorded each month, and it's credited for the same amount as the depreciation expense is debited. This allows the company to show both the cost of the asset and total-to-date depreciation of the asset.
The balance sheet reflects the fixed asset's original price and the total of accumulated depreciation, which is a credit entry. This shows the asset's net book value, which is the difference between the original cost and accumulated depreciation.
As the balance in Accumulated Depreciation increases, the net book value of the asset decreases. In the example of Exxon Mobil Corporation's oil drilling equipment, the net book value is $400,000, which is the difference between the original price of $1 million and the accumulated depreciation of $600,000.
Here's a breakdown of the Accumulated Depreciation and net book value for the example:
Accumulated Depreciation represents decreases that could be made directly to the asset account, but instead, it's credited for the same amount as the depreciation expense is debited. This allows the company to show both the cost of the asset and total-to-date depreciation of the asset.
Sage 50 can make the straight-line depreciation entries automatically each month as part of the adjusting entries, provided you have set up recurring journal entries. For example, the entry each month would be:
Dr. Depreciation Expense $100
Cr. Accumulated Depreciation $100
The difference between Accumulated Depreciation and the original cost of a long-lived asset is called net book value. When Accumulated Depreciation builds up so that its total equals the original cost of the asset, you should not record any more depreciation expense. At that time, depreciation stops, even if you are still using the asset.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the balance in the accumulated depreciation account represents the total amount of the assets cost that the company has charged to?
The balance in Accumulated Depreciation represents the total amount of an asset's cost expensed to date. This amount is not a cash fund, but rather a record of depreciation charges.
Sources
- https://www.investopedia.com/ask/answers/041015/why-does-accumulated-depreciation-have-credit-balance-balance-sheet.asp
- https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/accounting/accumulated-depreciation/
- https://help-sage50.na.sage.com/en-us/2018/Content/Accounting_Primer/AccumulatedDepreciation_1108.htm
- https://openstax.org/books/principles-financial-accounting/pages/4-3-record-and-post-the-common-types-of-adjusting-entries
- https://www.accountingtools.com/articles/why-does-accumulated-depreciation-have-a-credit-balance-on-t.html
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