In historical cost accounting, historical cost is the original monetary value of an economic item.
Depreciation effects the
carrying value of an asset on the
balance sheet. The historical cost will equal the carrying value if there has been no change recorded in the value of the asset since acquisition. Improvements may be added to the
cost basis of an asset.Historical cost does not generally reflect current market valuation. Different accounting standards may require that the carrying value of an asset (or liability) be updated to the market price (
mark-to-market valuation) or some other estimate of value that better approximates the real value. Accounting standards may also have different methods required or allowed (even for different types of balance sheet assets or liabilities) as to how the resultant change in value of an asset or liability is recorded, as a part of income or as a direct change to shareholders'
equity.
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Terminology for the accounting cost that is carried in the books for a current cost of the item.
an accounting principle requiring all financial statement items to be based on original cost (unrealistic?).