What is an asset in IFRS?

Asked by: Jonatan Wuckert  |  Last update: October 7, 2026
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Under IFRS, an asset is a present economic resource controlled by an entity as a result of past events, holding the potential to produce future economic benefits. It represents a right—not necessarily ownership—that can generate cash inflows or reduce outflows, such as cash, inventory, or intellectual property.

What is an asset according to IFRS?

• Definition of an asset [of an entity]: – a resource controlled by the entity. – as a result of past events. – from which future economic benefits are expected to. flow to the entity.

What defines an asset in accounting?

An asset is anything that has current or future economic value to a business. Essentially, for businesses, assets include everything controlled and owned by the company that's currently valuable or could provide monetary benefit in the future. Examples include patents, machinery, and investments.

What is asset and liability in IFRS?

(i) Asset of an entity: a present economic resource controlled by the entity as a result of past events; (ii) Liability of an entity: a present obligation of the entity to transfer an economic resource as a result of past events; (iii) Economic resource: a right that is capable of producing economic benefits.

What is a financial asset in IFRS?

Financial assets

the asset is held within a business model whose objective is to hold assets in order to collect contractual cash flows; and. the contractual terms of the financial asset give rise on specified dates to cash flows that are solely payments of principal and interest on the principal amount outstanding.

The Fundamentals of IFRS 16

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What are the four types of financial assets?

a contractual claim to something of value; modern economies have four main types of financial assets: bank deposits, stocks, bonds, and loans. In reality, there are many more types of financial assets (like derivatives, calls, puts, and so on), but you only need to know the basics of these four types for this course.

What is a tangible asset in IFRS?

Definition. A tangible asset is a physical item with a finite monetary value that can be touched and utilized, such as land, buildings, or machinery, and is recorded on a company's balance sheet.

What are 5 examples of assets?

Examples of assets include:

  • Cash and cash equivalents.
  • Accounts Receivable.
  • Inventory.
  • Investments.
  • PPE (Property, Plant, and Equipment)
  • Vehicles.
  • Furniture.
  • Patents (intangible asset)

How can an asset be defined?

An asset is an economic resource which can be owned or controlled to return a profit, or a future benefit. In financial trading, the term asset relates to what is being exchanged on markets, such as stocks, bonds, currencies or commodities.

What are IFRS 16 assets?

IFRS 16 is the current international financial reporting standard for lease accounting that requires all leases longer than 12 months to be recorded as assets and liabilities on balance sheets.

What is an asset in one word?

It can mean a piece of property, a piece of equipment, an ability, or even a quality.

What are the 7 current assets?

The 7 common current assets are Cash & Equivalents, Marketable Securities, Accounts Receivable, Inventory, Operating Supplies, Prepaid Expenses, and Other Liquid Assets, representing items easily converted to cash (within a year) for short-term operations, crucial for liquidity. 

What counts as an asset?

An asset is anything you own that adds financial value, as opposed to a liability, which is money you owe. Examples of personal assets include: Your home. Other property, such as a rental house or commercial property.

How does IAS 32 define a financial asset?

Key definitions [IAS 32.11]

Financial instrument: a contract that gives rise to a financial asset of one entity and a financial liability or equity instrument of another entity. Financial asset: any asset that is: cash. an equity instrument of another entity.

What is the IFRS definition of a fixed asset?

The International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) defines a fixed asset as: “a resource controlled by the enterprise as a result of past events and from which future economic benefits are expected to flow to the enterprise.”

How to determine if something is an asset?

Assess Economic Value

To qualify as an asset, the resource should have measurable economic value. This value can be either current (like cash) or potential (like property or equipment that helps generate revenue). Measurable Value: If the resource can be valued in monetary terms, it is typically considered an asset.

What is an example of an asset in accounting?

Examples of assets include: Cash: Money available on hand or in bank accounts. Real Estate: Land, buildings, or other properties owned for personal use or investment. Stocks: Shares in a company, representing a claim on its assets and profits.

What is a list of assets?

Common things to include in an asset list include: Physical assets – including property, vehicles, collectible items of value etc. Financial assets – including bank accounts, credit cards, investments, pensions etc. Insurance assets – including life, home, health, mortgage etc.

What is an asset in accounting standards?

In financial accounting, an asset is any resource owned or controlled by a business or an economic entity. It is anything (tangible or intangible) that can be used to produce positive economic value. Assets represent value of ownership that can be converted into cash (although cash itself is also considered an asset).

What are 20 examples of assets?

Assets are valuable resources, both physical (tangible) and non-physical (intangible), that hold economic worth, with 20 examples including Cash, Accounts Receivable, Inventory, Real Estate, Equipment, Vehicles, Stocks, Bonds, Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, Software, Furniture, Machinery, Natural Resources, Investments, Royalties, Goodwill, Brand Recognition, & Digital Assets, covering personal wealth and business resources. 

What are intangible assets under IFRS?

An intangible asset is an identifiable non-monetary asset without physical substance. Monetary assets are money held and assets to be received in fixed or determinable amounts of money.

What are level 1, level 2, and level 3 assets?

Level 1 assets are those that are liquid and easy to value based on publicly quoted market prices. Level 2 assets are harder to value and can only partially be taken from quoted market prices but they can be reasonably extrapolated based on quoted market prices. Level 3 assets are difficult to value.