Reading B The treatment of intangible assets in the field of accounting has been steadily gaining attention.
By applying a resource-based view of the firm, intangible resources can be seen as the fundamental
drivers of a firm’s sustained profitability. Evidence suggests that firm intangibility is positively
related to the persistence of firm-specific profits. However, there is a current lack of guidance and
regulation for the disclosure and reporting of financial data concerning investments in intangibles. In
addition, there is a general lack of international harmonization of such standards.
This problem can be approached from the perspective of innovation, which suggests that the
economic properties of intangible assets are not reflected in current accounting principles. There is
certainly a great deal of room for improvement in current standards, but some general guidelines
have been developed.
We must first begin by defining intangible assets. Intangible assets are largely defined by a lack
of physical substance. For example, accounts receivable and financial investments lack such a
physical substance but are nevertheless classified as tangible assets on the balance sheet. This is why
it is required that intangible assets be “non-monetary.” This assures that the asset itself is not a
financial instrument or cash equivalent.
The International Accounting Standards clearly define three fundamental requirements for
intangible assets that must be considered for accounting purposes. First, the asset must be
identifiable. The intangible asset must be distinct from other assets, meaning that it could,
theoretically, be separately identified and sold or transferred to another firm.
Secondly, the asset must be controllable, meaning that legal rights of ownership are clear and
defensible. Additionally, the firm must be able to exert some degree of control over the intangible
asset, in order for it to be considered an asset. The controllability requirement ensures that direct
manipulation of the asset is possible, and that the asset is not merely at the whim of external
variability or instability. The third fundamental requirement is that future economic benefits exist, if the intangible
asset’s benefits are related to either revenue or cost savings. As with physical assets, such as
manufacturing equipment, the ability of the asset to generate income is a fundamental accounting
requirement. Assets, by definition, must have either a commercial or exchange value.
【題組】16. According to the article, which of the following would be classified as an intangible asset?
(A) Inventory
(B) A trademark
(C) A stock certificate
(D) Equipment