O problema da mensuração de ativos na contabilidade

Abstract

Discute o processo de mensuração de ativos na Contabilidade, enfocando os principais métodos que têm sido sugeridos e faz uma sistematização das contribuições mais importantes sobre o assunto, dentro de uma abordagem teórica.

Accounting places emphasis on the quantification of economic relationships and economic changes in terms of a monetary unit. The quantification of assets in terms of a monetary unit is the valuation process, although other measurements, such as physical units, may be relevant in specific circumstances. The valuation of assets is the process of measuring financial attributes (past, present, or future) of assets or aggregations of assets. Since some for of valuation is always necessary in the accounting process, the objectives of valuation are in part the same as the objectives of accounting. The debate over the proper method of valuing assets is not new to the accounting literature, but it has become increasingly intense in recent years. Although several attempts have been made, no one of the methods suggested attend fulIy to alI the needs of users of information of accounting. Thus, using a theoretical approach, this text has the purpose of discussing the objectives of measurement in accounting, the methods used, and other alternative methods, beyond of the advantages, disadvantages and restriction of each method.