Historical Cost Principle Definition + Concept Examples
Some assets that are generally valued at historical cost (e.g. property) may be valued according to a different basis (e.g. market value basis) if certain conditions are satisfied (e.g. market value of the assets could be determined reliably). After total cost is computed, officials estimate the useful life based on company experience with similar assets in the past or other sources of information such as guidelines provided by the manufacturer2. In a similar fashion, officials arrive at an expected residual value—an estimate of the likely worth of the asset at the end of its useful life to the company. Marking to market is often the result of a perception that the asset's value has decreased more than its book value. When this is the case, a firm will often mark…