Is Software a Fixed Asset? Here’s What You Need to Know

software-fixed-asset-heres-need-know-header

If you're taking inventory of your fixed assets, is software a fixed asset? Here are the criteria you need to determine if anything, including software, is a fixed asset:

Fixed assets are items not sold for profit but which help you generate revenue. You use them over an extended period of time, and they must be tangible.

Fixed assets differ from current assets, intangible items like investments, cash, accounts receivable, prepaid expenses, inventory, marketable securities, and other liquid assets that you can convert into cash. In the event of an impending bankruptcy, a company could cash out its current assets to help pay off debts.

Is software an intangible asset?

If you use the above definitions as your guide, then is software a fixed asset? It's intangible, isn't it? After all, you can't really touch software. But you must be sure when it comes to fixed asset audits.

While that's true, many types of software actually qualify as tangible. The website softwarevalue.com explains: "According to various accounting standards, if software is used to deliver goods and services, it can be classified as a tangible asset." 

Further, "another criterion to determine if it is tangible or intangible is the cost of the software (to either buy or develop in-house). If the cost of one copy of the software is more than $100,000, then it is considered tangible." The software you use in your office is most likely used regularly, even daily; it requires routine maintenance and updates, much like equipment. These criteria both describe tangible assets.

When can you consider software a fixed asset?

So, the answer to "Is software a fixed asset?" is often yes. The software is tangible and used over an extended period (longer than one accounting cycle); its useful life typically includes several reporting periods, and the software isn't purchased with the intent of resale. If it's custom software, it's also likely to meet the pricing threshold mentioned above.

Even with the abundance of accounting software currently available, many companies and organizations, both large and small, continue to depend upon spreadsheets to track the whereabouts, condition, value, and other details of their fixed assets. It's downright difficult, if not impossible, however, to maintain your asset records manually without making errors.

Whether it's a simple typo, missed keystroke, duplication of effort, or gap in recordkeeping, errors will happen sooner or later. However, asset management software can help.

How Asset Panda can help manage software and fixed assets

Asset data is an ever-changing entity, which makes manual recordkeeping difficult right out of the starting gate. What companies need, then, is an automated means to track and manage their fixed assets – a platform that centralizes data and serves it up in real-time, all the time.

Asset Panda presents the world's most powerful yet simple asset tracking and management solution. Powered by free mobile iOS and Android apps, Asset Panda syncs with the cloud and includes a mobile barcode scanner, eliminating the need for additional hardware.

All you need to track and manage the complete lifecycle of your fixed assets are the mobile devices you and your employees already carry. Add as many users as you'd like for no additional cost. When you can loop all of your stakeholders into the conversation, accountability, and accuracy, increase significantly. 

Asset Panda's robust features are entirely customizable, allowing you to track and manage your assets in any way you want. Best of all, Asset Panda is flexible enough to incorporate new technologies as they become available. Its user interface is incredibly intuitive, so you won't need any special training to get up to speed.

From the palm of your hand, you have real-time access to any asset's exact location, condition, identity of who has it, complete maintenance history, depreciation, check-in/check-out status, insurance policy, warranty, lease/purchase information, and more. Create work orders and even use Asset Panda as an enterprise service desk to reduce your support call volume.

The best way to experience Asset Panda is to try it free for 14 days (no card required). To get started, book a demo with one of our asset tracking experts!

Learn more from an Asset Panda expert

Get a FREE consultation with an asset tracking expert to find out how you can transform your asset tracking

Get a Demo