Recording Land and Warehouse Acquisition in Accounting Records
Understanding the Acquisition of Land and Warehouse
Land and a warehouse were acquired for $860,000. What amounts should be recorded in the accounting records for the land and for the warehouse if an appraisal showed the estimated values to be $520,000 for the land and $850,000 for the warehouse? (Round intermediate percentage calculations to 1 decimal place.)
Based on the appraisal values, the land has a fair market value of $520,000 and the warehouse has a fair market value of $850,000. Therefore, the amounts that should be recorded in the accounting records for the land and the warehouse would be:
- Land: $520,000
- Warehouse: $850,000
It is important to note that the acquisition cost of $860,000 is not necessarily the same as the fair market value of the land and warehouse. The acquisition cost may include other costs such as legal fees, survey fees, or site preparation costs. However, in this scenario, the appraisal values provide a reliable estimate of the fair market value of the land and warehouse, and therefore should be used for accounting purposes.
It is also worth noting that if the fair market value of the land or warehouse had been lower than the acquisition cost, a loss on the acquisition would need to be recognized in the accounting records. Conversely, if the fair market value had been higher than the acquisition cost, a gain on the acquisition would need to be recognized. However, in this scenario, the fair market values are lower than the acquisition cost, and therefore no gain or loss needs to be recognized.
What is the importance of using the appraisal values for recording the land and warehouse in the accounting records?
The appraisal values provide a reliable estimate of the fair market value of the assets, which is essential for accurate financial reporting and decision-making in accounting. Using the appraisal values ensures that the assets are recorded at their true worth, reflecting the economic reality of the transaction.