What it is
The intangible assets note shows cost and accumulated amortization by major class, amortization expense for the period and estimated amortization for each of the next five years. This workbook builds each of those from one set of class rows and ties them to the ledger.
Finite-lived classes roll cost and accumulated amortization through additions, acquisitions, disposals, impairment and amortization. Indefinite-lived classes roll separately and are not amortized. The Amortization tab spreads each class’s net carrying amount over its remaining life, straight-line, so the five years and the thereafter amount agree to net book value.
When to use it
- At each year-end to support the intangible assets note.
- After an acquisition, to add acquired customer relationships, technology and trade names.
- During an audit, to reconcile intangibles to the ledger and recompute amortization.
What’s inside
- Finite tab: cost and accumulated amortization rollforward for 10 classes with net carrying amount
- Indefinite tab: beginning, additions, disposals, impairment, ending and date of last test
- Amortization tab: five-year estimate and thereafter by class
- Tie-out to ledger cost, accumulated amortization, indefinite-lived balance and expense
- Check column for negative net carrying amounts and missing remaining lives
Standard cited
This template follows ASC 350. It is written in our own words, except for phrases the standard requires the document to contain, with [bracketed placeholders] for client details, amounts in USD and dates as MM/DD/YYYY. Check it against the current standard and your firm’s methodology before use.
Questions
What does the note disclose about future amortization?
Estimated aggregate amortization expense for each of the next five fiscal years, along with cost and accumulated amortization by major class and the weighted-average amortization period. The Amortization tab produces the five annual amounts.
Does the workbook handle goodwill?
No. Goodwill is not amortized in this layout and has its own rollforward by reporting unit. A private company that elects to amortize goodwill still keeps it separate from other intangibles in the note.
How is impairment shown?
Impairment is entered as a positive amount and added to accumulated amortization, so net carrying amount drops to the written-down basis. If your ledger credits cost directly, enter the reduction as a disposal at cost and the matching accumulated amortization instead.
Related templates
- Disclosure Checklist: Goodwill and Other Intangibles (ASC 350)
- Fixed Asset Rollforward (Excel)
- Equity Rollforward Template (Corporation and LLC)
- Lead Schedule Template (Excel)
Last updated 11/05/2026. All free templates.