University of Waterloo

What is a Capital Asset

Capital Assets include land, buildings, furnishings, equipment and vehicles. The University records all assets, valued at $5,000 or more, with a 2 year life expectancy or more, in its fixed asset system. When an item is purchased over this dollar value, it is considered a capital purchase. Items under this dollar value are considered non-capital purchases.

Capital Object-Identification Help
Capital and Non-Capital Assets- Policy 74

Disposal of Fixed Assets - Procedure #2 - (under review)
Disposal of Non-Fixed Assets - Procedure #3 - (under review)

Capitalized Asset Expense Objects (at least $5,000)

6025 Building/Alterations - Capitalized (formerly 1720)
6231 Buildings-Design Fees (formerly 1722)
6232 Buildings-Site Services (formerly 1723)
6216 Computer Equipment - Capitalized
6076 Computer Networking - Capitalized
6215 Equipment - Capitalized
6415 Furnishings-Capitalized
6233 Collections (formerly 1746)
6510 Library Acquisitions
6641 Site Improvements - Capitalized
6860 Vehicles

Non-Capital Asset Objects (less than $5,000)

6035 Building Alterations - Non-capitalized
6206 Computer Equipment - Non-capitalized (new object)
6077 Computer Networking - Non-capitalized
6425 Furnishings - Non-capitalized
6205 Equipment - Non-capitalized
6642 Site Improvements - Non-capitalized

Capital Asset Forms:
Request- Financing Capital Asset or Renovation
Purchases over $100,000
Off Campus Capital Asset Location Form

Contact in Corporate Accounting, Capital Assets:

Yanling Sun - ylsun@uwaterloo.ca - extension: 35846

Capital asset