Step 1: Understanding Fixed Asset Accounting:
A company's fixed assets (such as plant, property, and equipment) are recorded using two primary metrics: Gross Block and Net Block.
Step 2: Defining Gross Block and Depreciation:
• Gross Block: The original cost of acquiring the fixed assets.
• Accumulated Depreciation: The total depreciation expense charged against those assets over time to reflect wear and tear.
Step 3: Calculating Net Book Value:
Net Block represents the remaining book value of the assets. It is calculated by subtracting accumulated depreciation from the gross acquisition cost:
$$\text{Net Block} = \text{Gross Block} - \text{Depreciation (B)}$$