What is the impact of using straight-line depreciation on financial statements?

Practice Questions

Q1
What is the impact of using straight-line depreciation on financial statements?
  1. It increases net income in the early years
  2. It decreases net income evenly over the asset's life
  3. It has no impact on cash flow
  4. It increases asset value over time

Questions & Step-by-Step Solutions

What is the impact of using straight-line depreciation on financial statements?
  • Step 1: Understand what straight-line depreciation is. It is a method of spreading the cost of an asset evenly over its useful life.
  • Step 2: Know that when a company buys an asset, it cannot deduct the entire cost at once. Instead, it deducts a portion each year.
  • Step 3: Realize that this portion is the same amount every year, which is calculated by dividing the asset's cost by its useful life.
  • Step 4: Recognize that this annual deduction reduces the company's net income on the income statement.
  • Step 5: Understand that lower net income can affect the company's financial health, as it may show less profit to investors.
  • Step 6: Note that straight-line depreciation also affects the balance sheet by reducing the asset's book value over time.
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