Accounting theory and practice, Volume 2 (of 3) : a textbook for colleges and…
4. MISCELLANEOUS METHODS
921 words | Chapter 58
Other methods of calculating the depreciation charge are used, but they
cannot be classified under any of the three groups discussed so far.
They are a miscellaneous, mongrel breed, scarcely to be dignified in
some instances as methods. Among these may be mentioned the following:
(a) Maintenance Method
(b) Replacement Method
(c) Fifty Per Cent Method
(d) Appraisal Method
(e) Insurance Method
(f) Gross Earnings Method
(a) Maintenance Method
In this case a periodic charge for depreciation is made, equal in
amount to the cost of maintenance of the asset for the period. It is
thus a definite but variable amount, depending upon the maintenance
policy.
(b) Replacement Method
This is hardly a method of _calculating_ the depreciation charge,
but rather of recognizing the fact of depreciation by charging all
renewals and replacements to revenue. It is argued that in a large,
widely extended plant after depreciation has reached the point where
renewals are necessary, the charging of all renewals and replacements
as expenses will take care of all accruing depreciation and secure a
fairly uniform charge to product from period to period. Under this plan
depreciation as such does not appear on the books but is taken care of
under other titles.
(c) The Fifty Per Cent Method
This is somewhat similar to the replacement method in that it is
applicable only after depreciation has reached the renewals stage. It
is claimed for it that, in a property or class of asset consisting of
many similar parts, as railroad ties, for example, after the stage of
normal repairs has been reached so that the parts are in all degrees of
repair from 0% to 100%, the normal maintenance and renewals policy will
maintain the property or asset always in about 50% condition. Therefore
the total depreciation for the asset or class is the other 50%, which
never reaches a larger amount because of a constant renewal of parts.
This 50% depreciation may or may not be carried on the books but it
exists nevertheless. For the conditions under which it is applicable as
above, the law of averages doubtless applies and makes the estimate a
fairly good one.
(d) Appraisal Method
Here a physical appraisal of the asset or property is taken at the
close of every fiscal period. The difference in value between the two
appraisals for successive fiscal periods represents the depreciation
for the period and would be brought on the books as such.
(e) Insurance Method
This is applicable only to large properties with assets widely
distributed. Its operation “involves the actuarial principles
of ordinary insurance. This means that the fund accumulated by
depreciation charges should not be reserved as an accumulation until
it can be spent for the purpose of replacing the identical property
upon which the fund accumulated when such property is abandoned;
and furthermore, that this fund should be expended, in whole or in
part, during the year in which it is created, in the replacement of
equipment.”
(f) Gross Earnings Method
Here the depreciation estimate is based on the gross earnings for the
period. This does not necessarily mean that the depreciation estimate
will be large when profits are large, and small or nothing when profits
are small, although it may be made to apply in that way in individual
cases. The policy of making ample reserves for depreciation in good
years and scant reserves in poor years is not to be wholly condemned.
Depreciation, however, has no relation to, or dependence upon, profits.
Rather, profits depend on depreciation in the sense that they cannot
exist until after charges for depreciation have been taken care of.
Depreciation considered as a fixed per cent of gross earnings is almost
the same in effect as the service output method, and has much to
commend it.
Condition Per Cent
Before leaving the topic of method, it may be well to explain a term
used in connection with the depreciation estimate, viz., condition
per cent. The condition per cent of an asset is found by subtracting
from 100%, the fraction which represents the ratio of the present
accumulated depreciation to the total estimated depreciation. Thus,
if an asset has depreciated in value one-quarter, its condition
per cent is said to be 75 (100%-25%). Hence, condition per cent is
easily calculated if depreciation has been estimated by any of the
proportional methods. If, in addition to the standard notation used, we
assume that:
Dₘ = total amount of depreciation for m periods
Vₘ = value of the asset at end of m’th period
then, in general, condition per cent may be expressed by the formula:
Dₘ
(6) 100% - ----
D
Evidently, therefore,
( Dₘ )
Vₘ = V(100% - ----).
( D )
Under the proportional methods Dₘ/D = nd. Therefore, condition per cent
is 100%-nd.
Under the sinking fund method, the calculation is more complex. Dₘ,
the total amount of depreciation accumulated to date, i.e., after m
periods, is the amount of the annuity A for m periods. From formula
(3), Chapter XV, page 272, the amount of an annuity A is seen to be
A(Rⁿ - 1)
---------- .
r
A(Rᵐ - 1)
Therefore, Dₘ = ---------,
r
A(Rⁿ - 1)
and D = ---------,
r
from which the ratio
A(Rᵐ - 1)
---------
Dₘ r Rᵐ - 1
--- = --------------- = -------- .
D A(Rⁿ - 1) Rⁿ - 1
---------
r
Accordingly, condition per cent under the sinking fund method is:
Rᵐ - 1
(7) 100% - -------- .
Rⁿ - 1
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