What Is Fixed Asset And How Businesses Account For It

Key takeaways:
 

1. Fixed assets like servers and offices help a fintech business grow, work better, and attract more trust from investors.
    
2. Companies must track and depreciate assets correctly to avoid losses, save money, and keep financial reports clear and correct.
    
3. Smart asset management tools help fintech firms avoid buying duplicate items and reduce yearly spending on replacements and repairs.

Fixed assets are long-term physical items like buildings, vehicles, or equipment that a company uses for its operations. They aren’t meant to be sold quickly and are usually recorded as Property, Plant, and Equipment (PP&E) on financial statements.

In 2023, Ankit Sharma, founder of a fintech startup in Pune, invested ₹90,00,000 in buying a small office and upgrading IT infrastructure. ₹55,00,000 was spent on the building, and ₹35,00,000 on servers, security systems, and networking hardware. 

These weren’t meant for resale but to operate the business for years. He listed these as fixed assets in the company’s books. Each server was expected to last 4 years and depreciate annually. By year-end, ₹8,75,000 in depreciation was recorded. Investors found this a good sign; it showed Ankit was strengthening his foundation. This example reflects how fixed assets are acquired, tracked, and adjusted over time for real value in financial planning.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through what fixed assets are, how fintech companies record and manage them, and why proper accounting practices matter for sustainability, tax, and investor trust.

Understanding Fixed Assets in Business: 

Fixed assets are tangible business resources used over time to support operations. They are not bought to be sold but to add value across multiple years. In fintech, these could include digital kiosks, workspaces, and servers.

Ankit’s ₹35,00,000 spent on custom fintech server racks is not classified as an expense but a fixed asset, as it provides long-term operational value.

Common Fixed Assets in Fintech

Here’s a table showing common fixed assets used in the fintech industry, their typical lifespan, and example uses.
 

Understanding these assets helps fintech companies plan investments and manage resources effectively over time.

How Fixed Assets Are Recorded in Business Books?
When a business buys a fixed asset, it doesn’t list the full value as an expense immediately. Instead, it spreads the cost over the asset's useful life. This cost appears in the balance sheet as a capitalised item.

In March 2024, Priya Desai bought biometric security devices worth ₹6,00,000 for her fintech firm. ₹50,000 went into setup and configuration. The total ₹6,50,000 was recorded under "Security Equipment, Fixed Assets".

Asset Journal Entry Example

This table shows a simple example of how to record the purchase of a fixed asset in the accounting journal.
 

Such journal entries help keep accurate financial records and track company investments properly.

Depreciation of Fixed Assets Over Time

Depreciation means allocating the cost of a fixed asset over the years it is used. It reflects wear and tear and helps reduce taxable profits. Indian laws suggest standard depreciation rates for different asset types.

Imran Khan purchased fintech workstations worth ₹15,00,000 in 2022. They depreciate at 20% per year using the straight-line method. So, each year, ₹3,00,000 is deducted as depreciation expense.

Imran’s 5-Year Depreciation Schedule

This table outlines Imran’s 5-year depreciation schedule, showing how the asset’s value decreases each year.
 

Tracking depreciation helps in understanding the asset’s remaining worth and planning for future replacements or expenses.

Purchase and Disposal of Fixed Assets

The purchase of fixed assets is shown as an outflow under investing activities in a company’s cash flow. Disposal happens when assets are sold, discarded, or replaced. Any loss or gain affects the profit and loss statement.

In 2025, Kiran Nair sold old fintech terminals originally bought for ₹8,00,000. The book value had dropped to ₹2,00,000 due to depreciation. He sold them for ₹1,50,000, recording a ₹50,000 loss.

Kiran’s Cash Flow Activity Snapshot

This table shows a snapshot of Kiran’s recent cash flow activities related to asset purchases and sales.
 

Understanding these transactions helps track cash movement and the financial impact on business profits and losses.

Why Fixed Assets Are Important for Fintech Companies? 

Fixed assets help fintech companies grow and stay strong. These assets, such as servers, office buildings, or special software, are not used for daily sales. Instead, they have supported the business for many years. Spending money on fixed assets shows that a company is planning for the future and wants to improve its services.

According to Statista, India’s fintech market reached $50 billion in 2023 and is expected to double by 2027. This shows that the industry is expanding fast, and businesses need strong fixed assets to keep up.

Key Points:

Here are some key points about the importance of fixed assets for a business:
 

• Fixed assets help improve service speed and quality.
   
• They support business operations for the long term.
   
• Strong assets attract investors and improve trust.
   
• More assets often mean the company is ready to grow.

These factors highlight how fixed assets contribute to growth, trust, and efficient operations.

Sneha Rao, Chief Financial Officer of a lending app, made a big decision in 2024. She spent ₹1.2 crore on expanding server space and upgrading software.

• ₹85,00,000 went into new servers.
   
• ₹35,00,000 was used for faster, custom-built lending software.

As a result, the company was able to take on 30% more customers within six months. Because of this growth, their funding valuation also increased, helping them raise more money from investors.

Fixed Assets vs Current Assets in Business

Assets are things a business owns. They are divided into two main groups:

• Fixed assets are used for a long time (more than a year).
   
• Current assets are used or sold within one year.

Knowing the difference helps a business plan better manage money and stay ready for the future.

Key Differences Between Fixed and Current Assets

Here’s a clear comparison between fixed assets and current assets, showing their key differences in business use.
 

Understanding these differences helps in better managing and reporting a company’s resources effectively.

Varun Singh runs a fintech company that offers digital wallet services. In his 2024 balance sheet:

• He had ₹18,00,000 in fixed assets such as high-end servers and office furniture.
   
• He had ₹6,00,000 in current assets like cash, prepaid services, and inventory.

This showed that Varun had a strong base for his business to grow, while also having enough current assets to pay for his team, electricity bills, and app maintenance.

How Fintech Firms Can Manage Fixed Assets Well?

Managing fixed assets means knowing where they are, how much they are worth, and when they need repair or replacement. If this is not done well, companies may lose money by buying new items too soon or forgetting about old ones.

Fintech companies often use digital tools to track and manage their fixed assets easily. This keeps everything organised and saves money.

Why It Matters

Proper asset management is crucial for running a smooth and efficient business.
 

• Helps avoid extra spending on new items.
   
• Reduces risk of loss or misuse.
   
• Keeps company records clear and correct.
   
• Helps with tax planning and audits.

Following these practices ensures financial accuracy, safeguards resources, and supports compliance with tax regulations.

Tina George worked as the operations head at a credit-tech company. She used digital tracking software to manage 180 devices in her offices. These included laptops, routers, tablets, and printers.

Before using the tool, her team would often misplace equipment or buy things twice. After switching to asset management software, they could:

• See what was working and what needed service.
   
• Avoid buying duplicates.
   
• Save ₹2,50,000 per year on replacements.

This made her company more efficient and improved its overall cost control.

Conclusion

Fixed assets play a vital role in the success and stability of any fintech business. From buildings and workstations to cloud servers, these assets reflect strategic planning and operational strength. Their value doesn’t lie just in cost, but in how they are used, depreciated, and upgraded. Whether it’s Priya recording a biometric device or Imran adjusting depreciation, smart management of fixed assets defines long-term profitability.

FAQs

1. What types of assets are classified as fixed in fintech?
Items like servers, office buildings, security systems, and long-term software licenses.

2. Are laptops considered fixed assets?
Yes, if they’re used by staff for work and expected to last more than a year.

3. Do fixed assets include software?
Only if the software is custom-built and has long-term use (3+ years).

4. How do businesses depreciate their assets?
Mostly using straight-line or written-down value methods as per the Indian tax law.

5. What if a fixed asset is stolen or damaged?
The company can write it off, adjust the asset book, and claim insurance if available.

6. Can land be depreciated?
No, land is a fixed asset that does not depreciate over time.

7. How often should asset values be reviewed?
Annually, during financial audits or internal assessments.

8. How are fixed asset sales recorded?
They are shown in the cash flow under investing activities.

9. What’s the biggest risk in poor asset tracking?
Inaccurate financial reporting and unnecessary capital expenditure.

10. How do fixed assets affect funding?
They reflect company stability and can improve investor confidence.
 

Apply for Loans Fast and Hassle-Free

Apply Now

About the Author

LoansJagat Team

We are a team of writers, editors, and proofreaders with 15+ years of experience in the finance field. We are your personal finance gurus! But, we will explain everything in simplified language. Our aim is to make personal and business finance easier for you. While we help you upgrade your financial knowledge, why don't you read some of our blogs?