Asset Management

Businesses often purchase fixed assets that include company equipment like computers, office furniture, phones, etc. Meanwhile, other assets that are not physical include stocks, bonds, CDs, savings accounts, and accounts receivable. Basically, everything that is equivalent to cash or can be turned into cash after being sold is considered an asset. An asset management system will help a business keep track of assets so that they can then successfully keep track of their bottom line.

Essentially, physical asset management and liquid asset management keep a business owner aware of what they own; how the company is doing, and where the company is headed.

No one asset is necessarily valued over another. Physical assets can later be liquidated and turned into a cash asset. Conversely, cash or liquid assets can be used to purchase fixed assets. Either way, the company has simply converted the form of the asset into another asset and the company maintains the ownership of the asset or assets in question.


Definitions You’ll need to be Familiar with when Dealing with Your Profit Margin

The more familiar you are with asset management lingo, the better off you will be in terms of handling your business. Understanding asset management and all the terminology associated with the practice will help you get a better handle on all of your business transactions. Below are some of the common terms you will come across related to asset management:

Asset: an asset that is anything of value that a business owns. Assets can be cash, investments, or physical equipment that the company owns.

Asset tracking: asset tracking is the practice of monitoring all of your business assets. Assets can be physical assets like computers, inventory and the like, or assets can be non-physical like cash and investments stocks or bonds.

Asset protection: Asset protection is a way of protecting an individual’s assets in the event of law suits occur.

Asset management: Asset management is another term for asset tracking.

Asset management software/ asset tracking software: A computer software application that makes the process of tracking assets a simpler task.

Asset Allocation: Asset allocation is the act of diversifying a financial portfolio: of balancing risky investments with investments that are not as risky.

Asset Manager: an individual that monitors a business’s assets or financial portfolio.

Current asset: All assets currently owned by a business.

Capital asset: physical goods or equipment that a company owns.

Debt to asset ratio: the direct ratio of assets to debt that a company has.

Digital asset management: Digital asset management pertains to the management of audio files or graphics—such files require protection, especially when they belong to a company.

Fixed asset: The term fixed asset is one that simply applies to physical assets owned by a business.

liquid asset: A liquid asset is one that can be converted into hard cash.

Net asset value: A company’s net asset value is the value of all assets less the company’s existing liabilities and debts.

What are some of the most common assets and money management practices people buy and why?

Software applications are frequently purchased; such applications allow business owners to track all of the current assets, asset inventory, and to determine their net asset value. Accounting software also helps determine expenditures and tax deductions.

Fixed asset software allows businesses to easily track large inventories: the barcode recognition system is very popular. Plus, the barcode system makes for easy reordering when it comes time to restock the inventory. A fixed asset system lets business owners know what they have sold and what they need to order. Finally, a fixed asset system prevents under ordering of a product, as well as overstocking.