Proprietary Funds Capitalization

Corresponding Policy: See ‘Fixed Assets General Accounting’ policy.
Corresponding Forms: N/A
ProcessDeciding what Should be Capitalized and to what Account for Proprietary Funds

Account Codes Used in Proprietary Funds
Type of Capital AssetCapitalization Thresholdfor PURCHASEfor CAPITALIZATION in Investment in Plant Fund
Equipment, Livestock, Vehicles, VesselsUnit cost ≥ $5,000A8011 - Equipment (includes livestock)
A8012 - Vehicles
A8015 – Vessels
Same
Museum CollectionsTotal cost of museum collection ≥ $5,000A8031 - Museum CollectionsSame
Works of Art and Historical TreasuresUnit or total cost of artwork ≥ $5,000A8032 - Works of Art & Historical TreasuresSame
Library Special CollectionsTotal cost of collection ≥ $5,000Not applicable to proprietary funds.Not applicable to proprietary funds.
Library Purchases (General Books, not online subscriptions)University library purchases are capitalized regardless of amount. Online subscriptions & departmental library purchases are expensed.Not applicable to proprietary funds.Not applicable to proprietary funds.
LandAll acquisitions of land are capitalized regardless of amount. Purchases of buildings require that a portion of the cost be allocated to land.Land purchases may only be charged to unexpended plant funds (fund type 81). Account code 403xx, except 40303 and 40304A8121 - Land
Land ImprovementsLand Improvements ≥ $75,000See Note 1A8123 - Land Improvements (non-depreciable) A8124 - Land Improvements (depreciable)
BuildingsAll buildings ≥ $50,000 are capitalized. Purchases of buildings require that a portion of the cost be allocated to land.See Note 1A8111 - Buildings
Buildings - AdditionsTotal cost of additions ≥ $100,000.Construction of building additions are charged to unexpended plant funds (fund type 81) Account code 405xxA8111 - Buildings
Buildings - Major ImprovementsAll major improvements - See Capitalization of Real Property - Additional Clarifications.Account code 405xx
See Note 1
A8111 - Buildings
Buildings - Normal Repair and MaintenanceNot capitalizedUse a maintenance/repair 235xx account code.Not capitalized
Buildings - Major Repair and MaintenanceNot capitalizedUse a maintenance/repair 235xx account code.
See Note 1
Not capitalized
Improvements other than Buildings (IOTBs)IOTBs ≥
$50,000
Account code 404xx. See Note 1A8131 - Improvement Other Than Buildings
InfrastructureInfrastructure ≥ $75,000Account code 407xx.
See Note 1
A8141 - Infrastructure

 Additions or major improvements to IOTBs or infrastructure should be accounted for the same way as new IOTBs or new infrastructure.
Acquisitions of fixed assets not meeting the above capitalization thresholds should be recorded as an expense in the accounting records.
Note 1: Expenditure may only be made from fund types 11 - Budgeted Operations (fund series 004000), 81 - Unexpended Plant Funds and 83 - Renewal and Replacement Funds.