| Name: | Description: | Size: | Format: | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 267.01 KB | Adobe PDF |
Authors
Advisor(s)
Abstract(s)
Websites used to perform e-commerce are becoming one of the main fixed assets of
“dot.com” companies. Some accounting issues arise from the use of e-commerce
websites, namely: (i) should the expenses arising from internally developed websites be
capitalised and therefore the website treated like an intangible asset? ; (ii) should an ecommerce
website be amortised?. In this paper we look at appropriate accounting
standards from FASB (FAS 142), AICPA (SOP98-1), IAS 38 from IASB, analysing
them and searching for proper accounting treatment. We also analyse the guidelines on
this matter provided by FASB - EITF 00-2 “Accounting for Web Site Development
Costs”, IASB - SIC 32 “Web Site Costs”, as well as the accounting treatment
determined in the UK by the UITF Abstract 29: “Website Development Costs”. We
conclude that some expenses incurred on “internally developed” e-commerce websites
should be capitalised, but there are differences about the appropriate classification in the
balance sheet. As opposed to the EITF 00-2, SIC 32 and UIFT, we suggest that ecommerce
websites should be treated in a different way from others websites and they
should not be amortised. Instead, they should be periodically tested for impairment.
Description
Keywords
E-commerce Websites costs Accounting
Citation
Lopes, Jose ; Jorge, Susana (2004). Should internally developed e-commerce websites be capitalized and amortised? In Congress of the European Accounting Association. Prague