Classification of Assets, Liabilities and Capital
Assets are resources owned by a business that have monetary value.
Assets
Non-current Assets Current Assets
Acquired for use in the business and Cash or items which can be easily
not for resale. converted to cash.
Have physical existence. (Can see Bought for resale and not for use in the
and touch) business. (inventory)
Can be used for more than one Useful life is less than one financial
financial year. year.
Examples: Examples:
Land and buildings, motor vehicles, Inventory, trade receivables, cash at
machines, furniture, fixtures, bank, cash in hand etc.
premises, computer etc.
Liabilities are debts that a business owes to external parties (other than the owners).
Liabilities
Non-current Liabilities Current Liabilities
Debts owed for more than one Debts owed for less than one financial
financial year. year.
Examples: Examples:
Long-term loans, mortgages etc. Trade payables, short-term loans,
bank overdraft etc.
Capital is the money invested by the owner to the business. It represents the owner’s claim upon a
business’ net assets (assets minus liabilities). Another name for capital is owner’s equity.
Trade receivables: people who owe money to the business for goods sold on credit.
Trade payables: people to whom business owes money for goods purchased on credit.