Depreciation accounting policy: Content and approaches to its development

Abstract

Many theoreticians identify the preferred (as they see it) interpretation of depreciation with the term “depreciation policy”. Therefore, the wording of the latter depends on the preferred approach to its development. There is a need to work out a single universal definition of depreciation policy with no identification with the term “depreciation”. So, the subject of the study is a lack of a generally accepted definition of depreciation policy concept and approaches to its development, which are based on different focus on prioritizing the essence of depreciation and the role of depreciation deductions. The objectives of the study are as follows: to study the historical aspect of depreciation concept, define the term “depreciation policy”, classify approaches to its development and determine their relevance in the modern world under the current standards, and develop recommendations for more efficient depreciation policy under the requirements of the most relevant approach exemplified by an enterprise in the rocket and space industry. The authors applied the methods of comparative and critical analysis, classification, and comparison. The analysis of the international and Russian standards has established that the current preferred approach focuses on adequate distribution of depreciation charges on the time axis under the incoming expected economic benefits and, as a result, adequate cost generation. Other approaches also have the right to exist if the requirement of the preferred approach is met. The case of the rocket and space industry was studied and showed that the depreciation policy of industrial companies often does not meet this requirement and needs to be revised. It has been established that the methodology for the development of disposal value is one of the most significant concerns for depreciation policy development. To ensure versatility and uniformity, the paper proposes to consider depreciation policy as a part of the company’s accounting policy. Companies of rocket and space industry are invited not to apply the straight-line depreciation method for those groups of fixed assets that were purchased to be sold as unique orders, and then stood idle subject to both moral and physical wear and tear. A methodology for assessing the disposal value is proposed.