5 Differences Between Tangible and Intangible Assets

A generalized definition of an “asset” is a useful or valuable thing, person, or quality. In the business world, assets can appear in the form of property owned by an organization, a tangible building or computer, or perhaps a trademark or idea which would be an example of an intangible asset.

In this quick primer, the experts at CFO Hub will review the 5 key differences between tangible and intangible assets. First, however, it’s paramount that we define them.

Defining Tangible and Intangible Assets

A key defining characteristic of a business’s net worth and operational value depends on its assets. In properly managing its tangible and intangible assets, a company or organization can maintain a healthy balance sheet and ensure operational success. To that end, succeeding in asset management is shown to directly increase an organization’s value.

Tangible assets—as briefly touched on in the introduction—is an asset that has finite monetary value and is usually presented in a physical form. Because of their physical nature, tangible assets are considered less liquid than their intangible counterparts. Additionally, tangible assets carry the potential for higher expense risk due to the need for proper storage, insurance, and obsolescence.

Examples of a Tangible Asset

Think buildings (or property), software, computers, physical inventory, computers, and machines.

On the other hand, intangible assets are types of assets that have no physical properties that a business or organization can create or acquire. Intangible assets are classified as either indefinite or definite, which is to say that the asset will stay with them in perpetuity (indefinite) or until there is an agreement to operate under another company’s management with no plans of motioning for perpetuity (definite).

While intangible assets carry no physical form or value, they still prove to be invaluable when developing a balance sheet.

Examples of an Intangible Asset

Brand recognition, trademarks, copyrights, intellectual property, and patents.

In which case, there are many different ways that a company receives both tangible and intangible assets, as briefly defined above. To take a deeper look at the differences between them, we have compiled 5 key differentiators that should provide clear and concise orientation.

#1 A Difference in Use Between Industries

Most companies choose to employ a mixture of both tangible and intangible assets because it is a better method to diversify an organization’s balance sheet. With that caveat, some industries make use of one more than the other.

Companies and organizations that find themselves in the manufacturing field will have robotics, machinery, and other physical components that are categorized as tangible. Some examples include but are not limited to:

• Technology – Building physical products such as smartphones, computers, tablets, and other modern electric devices is classified as a tangible asset.
• Oil and Gas Owning a considerable amount of tangible assets that require large amounts of capital to finance. Some of the assets include drills, oil rigs, and the various required equipment to operate their machinery (protective gear, belts and levers, etc…)
• Large Scale Manufacturers – Any company or organization that manufactures on a large scale is going to require physical assets in the forms of computers, buildings, and factory equipment.

Some companies and businesses focus more on intangible assets—such as patents and intellectual properties—many of which also include tangible assets mentioned above.

• Entertainment – One of the larger proponents of intangible assets heavily utilizing publishing rights, copyrights to music and movies, owning the rights to specific songs and dances, as well as brand recognition associated with artists.
• Commerce – Widely known for ownership of intangible assets in the forms of patents of formulas and recipes as well as brand recognition in a highly competitive market.
• Automobile – While utilizing tangible assets in the form of manufacturing, they also heavily rely on intangible assets. Primarily displayed in patented technology and brand names, as names like Porsche and Mercedes can be monetized beyond the tangible.

#2 Acceptance as Collateral

Collateral refers to a form of debt financing in which an individual puts their physical assets forward to secure credit or a loan. A business owner can use equipment, facilities and properties, and even company vehicles as a form of collateral. This means that if the loan is not properly repaid, the lending institution can seize all the assets put forth by the company.

When money lenders look at these assets or appraise them, they can determine a finite market value for the objects. They can assign value to the objects because there is a market value for tangible assets.

This cannot be done—traditionally—with intangible assets, as an idea or a brand cannot have guaranteed selling value. With the evolution of technology, however, there will surely be a new approach to establishing more widely applicable use for intangible assets as loan collateral.

#3 Determining Value

Tangible assets have clearly defined value, as most company assets are usually accompanied by a price tag. A specified piece of manufacturing equipment will cost X amount which will gradually depreciate over time through use (think: buying a new car and taking it off the lot).

Intangible assets have no definitive value, however, as one cannot put a price tag on the value of a brand or an idea. A way to establish value is to reach out to valuators whose appraisal is trusted in the marketplace. When an expert in the field affirms perceived value, it can solidify an associated price for intangible assets.

#4 Differences in Liquidating Assets

Liquidating an asset is essentially selling an asset should the company need more capital. This is often used when a company is going out of business and looking to recoup some of the losses.

The difference between liquidating tangible and intangible assets lies in the obvious physical versus non-physical. Similar to determining their value, a company can put a definitive value on a piece of equipment whereas assigning a value to their brand name must be defined over time.

#5 Paper Assets vs. Hard Assets

A paper asset holds multiple meanings in the business realm. When discussing tangible and intangible assets, however, paper assets are presented as “representations of something”.

They represent intangible assets or items that are associated with a perceived value (bonds, stocks, investments) and are largely dependent on investors and the general public’s backing of their value.

Hard assets exist contrary to paper assets, much like tangible assets do to intangible assets. They come in various forms but are largely represented in physical capital, such as gold, silver, land, and oil. The prices and value associated with hard assets may change depending on the supply and demand of the market, but will always hold some sort of physical value.