Title:	Capitalization Policy
Policy Owner:	Accounting Office
Applies to:	Staff
Campus Applicability:	All campuses except UConn Health
Effective Date:	September 15, 2021
For More Information, Contact	Associate Controller & Director of Accounting
Contact Information:	(860) 486-1366
Official Website:	http://accountingoffice.uconn.edu/

PURPOSE

The property and equipment of the University must be presented in conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) in the United States of America and the Governmental Accounting Standards Board (GASB).

APPLIES TO

This policy applies to all staff of the University of Connecticut, Storrs and Regional Campuses.  Fiscal staff are responsible for adhering to this policy, and the Accounting Office staff ensure adherence.

DEFINITIONS

Capitalization: Accumulating the costs of an asset to be expensed over the useful life of the asset.
Depreciation: the systematic allocation of the cost of an asset from the balance sheet to an expense on the income statement over the useful life of the asset.
General Ledger: part of the accounting system which contains the balance sheet and income statement accounts used for recording financial transactions.
Fiscal staff: Generally responsible in their respective areas for financial matters including but not limited to procurement, adhering to budgets, safeguarding assets, and completing transactions in the financial system.

POLICY STATEMENT

All equipment costing $5,000 or more and having a useful life of one year or more will be capitalized and depreciated in the University’s General Ledger and presented on the University’s financial statements in accordance with GAAP and GASB.  All improvements to buildings and nonstructural assets that extend the useful life of the asset will also be capitalized and depreciated in accordance with GAAP and GASB. In addition, new land, buildings and nonstructural assets will be capitalized and depreciated, if applicable, according to accounting standards within GAAP and GASB.  Property and equipment are recorded in the General Ledger at cost at date of acquisition including all costs necessary to place the asset in a useable condition. Gifts are recorded the acquisition value at the date of donation. Renovations that are determined to materially or significantly increase the value or useful life of an asset are capitalized.   Routine repairs and maintenance costs that are incurred in the normal course of business are charged to operating expenses in the year incurred.

ENFORCEMENT

Violations of this policy or associated procedures may result in appropriate disciplinary measures in accordance with University By-Laws, General Rules of Conduct for All University Employees, and applicable collective bargaining agreements.

PROCEDURES/FORMS

Please see http://accountingoffice.uconn.edu/913-2/ for more information regarding capitalization.

POLICY HISTORY

Revisions: August 19, 2014; Review and editorial revisions September 2021

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