Q. Show Accumulated depreciation account with example?

Micro Train credits the depreciation amount to an accumulated depreciation account which is a contra asset rather than directly to the asset account. Companies utilize contra accounts when they want to show statement readers the original amount of the account to which the contra account relates. For example for the asset Trucks it is useful to know both the original cost of the asset and the total accumulated depreciation amount recorded on the asset. Thus the asset account shows the original cost. The contra account Accumulated Depreciation on Trucks shows the total amount of recorded depreciation from the date of acquisition. By keeping both original cost and the accumulated depreciation amounts a user can calculate approximately the approximate percentage of the benefits embodied in the asset that the company has consumed. For example assume the accumulated depreciation amount is about three-fourths the cost of the asset. After that the benefits would be approximately three-fourths consumed and the company may have to replace the asset soon.

Therefore to provide more complete balance sheet information to users of financial statements companies show both the original acquisition cost and accumulated depreciation. In the preceding instance for adjustment 4 the balance sheet at 2010 December 31 would show the asset and contra asset as follows

Assets

Trucks USD 40000

Less: Accumulated depreciation 750

USD 39250

As you may perhaps expect the accumulated depreciation account balance enhance each period by the amount of depreciation expense recorded until the remaining book value of the asset equals the estimated residual value.