What Is Purchased Goodwill?

Charlotte Miller

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Are you curious to know what is purchased goodwill? You have come to the right place as I am going to tell you everything about purchased goodwill in a very simple explanation. Without further discussion let’s begin to know what is purchased goodwill?

In the world of business and finance, the concept of goodwill is often associated with intangible assets that contribute to a company’s reputation, customer loyalty, and overall market value. Purchased goodwill, in particular, is a specific type of goodwill that arises when one company acquires another at a price that exceeds the net fair market value of the acquired company’s identifiable assets. In this blog, we will explore what purchased goodwill is, how it is calculated, its significance in business transactions, and the accounting standards associated with it.

What Is Purchased Goodwill?

Purchased goodwill, also referred to as acquired goodwill, is the premium amount paid by one company (the acquirer) when acquiring another company (the acquiree). This premium represents the value of the acquiree’s reputation, brand recognition, customer base, and other intangible assets that are not individually listed on the balance sheet. In essence, purchased goodwill reflects the “extra” amount the acquirer is willing to pay to benefit from the acquired company’s established presence in the market.

Calculation Of Purchased Goodwill

The calculation of purchased goodwill is a straightforward process. It involves comparing the purchase price of the acquiree to the fair market value of its identifiable net assets, which typically include items such as tangible assets, patents, trademarks, and customer contracts. The formula for calculating purchased goodwill is as follows:

Purchased Goodwill = Purchase Price – Fair Market Value of Identifiable Net Assets

Key Aspects Of Purchased Goodwill

  1. Intangible Assets: Purchased goodwill is an intangible asset, as it represents the value associated with the acquiree’s reputation, customer relationships, and other non-physical assets.
  2. Impacts on Financial Statements: Purchased goodwill is recorded on the acquirer’s balance sheet as an intangible asset, subject to periodic impairment tests.
  3. Amortization: Historically, purchased goodwill was amortized over a specific time period. However, accounting standards have evolved, and it is no longer amortized but tested for impairment.
  4. Impairment Testing: Companies are required to perform annual impairment tests on purchased goodwill. If the carrying value of goodwill exceeds its recoverable amount, an impairment loss must be recognized.
  5. Valuation Expertise: Determining the fair market value of identifiable net assets and calculating purchased goodwill often requires the expertise of valuation professionals.

Significance Of Purchased Goodwill

  1. Reflecting Intangible Assets: Purchased goodwill acknowledges the value of intangible assets, such as brand recognition and customer relationships, which are often critical to a company’s long-term success.
  2. Mergers and Acquisitions: Purchased goodwill is commonly associated with merger and acquisition (M&A) transactions, as it quantifies the premium paid for acquiring a specific business.
  3. Market Reputation: The amount of purchased goodwill can be a reflection of the acquiree’s established reputation and the acquirer’s belief in the potential for future growth and profitability.
  4. Investor Confidence: The presence of purchased goodwill on a company’s balance sheet can enhance investor confidence by showing that the company is willing to invest in long-term success.

Conclusion

Purchased goodwill is a financial concept that underscores the importance of intangible assets in business transactions, particularly mergers and acquisitions. It represents the premium amount paid by an acquirer to benefit from the acquired company’s established reputation and customer base. Understanding purchased goodwill is essential for businesses, investors, and financial professionals, as it sheds light on the value of intangible assets and the strategic decisions made in the corporate world. While the accounting treatment of purchased goodwill has evolved, its significance in reflecting a company’s trust in intangible assets and future growth prospects remains unchanged.

FAQ

What Is Purchased Goodwill With Example?

To put it in a simple term, a Company named ABC’s assets minus liabilities is ₹10 crores, and another company purchases the company ABC for ₹15 crores, the premium value following the acquisition is ₹5 crores. This ₹5 crores will be included on the acquirer’s balance sheet as goodwill.

What Is Purchased And Non Purchased Goodwill?

The excess amount paid as a premium is the amount of purchased goodwill. Self-generated goodwill or inherent goodwill is the value of the business over the fair value of its net assets taken over. It is referred to as internally generated goodwill and it occurs over some time due to the good status of a business.

What Is Purchased Goodwill And Inherent Goodwill?

Inherent goodwill is the opposite of purchased goodwill and represents the value of a business more than the fair value of its separable net assets. This type of goodwill is internally generated and arises over time due to reputation, and it can be either positive or negative.

What Is Treatment Of Purchased Goodwill?

Treatment of goodwill is the portion of the purchase price that is higher than the total of all assets’ fair value that is purchased in liabilities and acquisition. Treatment of goodwill is carried out in the following cases: When the partners’ profit-sharing ratio (PSR) is changed, goodwill will rise.

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