Chapter 9: Long-Term Assets - Fixed & Intangible

Financial Statement versus Tax Depreciation

The following is an excerpt from a conversation between two employees of WXT Technologies, Nolan Sears and Stacy Mays. Nolan is the accounts payable clerk, and Stacy is the cashier.

Nolan: Stacy, could I get your opinion on something?

Stacy: Sure, Nolan.

Nolan: Do you know Rita, the fixed assets clerk?

Stacy: I know who she is, but I dont know her very well. Why?

Nolan: Well, I was talking to her at lunch last Monday about how she liked her job. You know, the usual; and she mentioned something about having to keep two sets of booksone for taxes and one for the financial statements. That cant be good accounting, can it? What do you think?

Stacy: Two sets of books? It doesnt sound right.

Nolan: It doesnt seem right to me either. I was always taught that you had to use generally accepted accounting principles. How can there be two sets of books? What can be the difference between the two?

• How would you respond to Nolan and Stacy if you were Rita?