Netsuite Amortization

Amortization Guide
2023.1
April 26, 2023

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Table of Contents
Amortization: Expense Recognition ............................................................................................ 1
Expense Amortization .............................................................................................................. 2
Setup for Amortization ......................................................................................................... 3
Enabling the Amortization Feature ..................................................................................... 3
Setting Amortization Preferences ....................................................................................... 3
Enabling Auto-Numbered Amortization Schedules ................................................................ 4
Specifying Deferral Accounts for Amortization ...................................................................... 5
Amortization Templates ........................................................................................................ 6
Amortization Template Term Reference .............................................................................. 6
Creating Amortization Templates ..................................................................................... 13
Configuration for Amortization ........................................................................................ 14
Associating Amortization Templates with Expenses ............................................................. 18
Amortization Schedules ...................................................................................................... 19
Reviewing the Amortization Schedules List ........................................................................ 20
Viewing an Amortization Schedule .................................................................................... 21
Editing an Amortization Schedule ..................................................................................... 22
Mass Updating Amortization Schedules ............................................................................. 23
Amortization Journal Entries ................................................................................................ 23
Generating Amortization Journal Entries ............................................................................ 24
Editing an Amortization Journal Entry ................................................................................ 25
Approving an Amortization Journal Entry ........................................................................... 26
Setting Up a Reminder for Amortization Journal Entries ....................................................... 26
Using Percent-Complete Amortization for Projects .................................................................. 26
Foreign Currency Amortization ............................................................................................ 29
Setting Up Foreign Currency Amortization ......................................................................... 29
Using Foreign Currency Amortization ............................................................................... 29
Foreign Currency Amortization Examples .......................................................................... 32
Amortization Reports ......................................................................................................... 35
Amortization Forecast Summary ...................................................................................... 36
Amortization Forecast Detail ............................................................................................ 36
Deferred/Capitalized Expense .......................................................................................... 37
Amortization: Expense Recognition 1
Amortization: Expense Recognition

NetSuite offers both revenue and expense recognition features. For information about current revenue
recognition features, see Advanced Revenue Management.
The Amortization feature manages expense recognition. It lets you record expenses independently from
receiving bills and making payments, so you can defer expenses and spread their impact across multiple
future time periods. When amortization is enabled, you create amortization templates that use standard
or custom amortization methods and associate these templates with items or transactions.
When a NetSuite user enters a purchase transaction, an amortization schedule is generated to recognize
expenses based on the template associated with the item or transaction. The schedule enables you
to post the appropriate journal entries to the general ledger to record expenses in future periods. For
example, if your company must pay for an annual software license before the license period begins, you
can spread recognition of the license expenses throughout the following year.
This guide contains the information you need to use the Amortization feature.
Amortization Guide
Expense Amortization 2
Expense Amortization
The Amortization feature enables you to record the general ledger impact of item purchases and expense
charges across multiple future periods. The Accounting Periods feature must be enabled before the
Amortization feature can be enabled.
The process for amortizing expenses is similar to, and may be used in conjunction with, deferred
revenue recognition methods. For more information, see the help topics Using Revenue Recognition and
Advanced Revenue Management (Essentials) and (Revenue Allocation).
When Amortization is enabled, NetSuite automatically adds a default account with a type of Deferred
Expense to the Chart of Accounts because at least one account of this type is required for the feature.
NetSuite does not differentiate between prepaid expense and deferred expense. Accounts of the type
Deferred Expense are included as Other Current Assets on the balance sheet. You can create additional
Deferred Expense accounts as needed. For more information about enabling this feature and setting
associated preferences, see Setup for Amortization.
Important: When the Amortization feature is enabled, you should make change to expenses
on purchase transactions by using vendor credits rather than changing the original transaction.
This preserves your historical data and audit trail. See Vendor Credit Amortization Example and
Setting an Amortization Template on a Vendor Credit Line Item.
After Amortization has been enabled, you can create amortization templates that indicate how to post
expenses from associated items and expenses. For each template, you can select from a choice of
standard terms or define your own custom terms, set the time period over which recognition occurs,
define an offset to delay the start of recognition, and set up an initial amount to be recognized. See
Amortization Templates.
To amortize costs for an item on a bill or bill credit, an amortization template must be associated with
the item and a deferral account must be specified on the item record or on the template. You can set an
amortization template on an item record. This template becomes the default for the item on all bills and
credits. You also can associate an amortization template with an item on the item line of bill or credit to
apply only to that specific item purchase. See Configuration for Amortization.
To amortize costs for an expense, an amortization template must be associated with the expense line
item on the transaction record, and a deferral account must be specified on the account record or on the
template used. See Associating Amortization Templates with Expenses.
Amortization schedules are generated for vendor bills and credits containing items or expenses that
have associated amortization templates. Each schedule indicates for an item sale the posting periods in
which expenses should be recognized and the amount to be recognized in each period. See Amortization
Schedules.
Amortization schedules provide a basis for the generation of journal entries that record the impact of
amortized items and expenses. When you enter a vendor bill, the bill item amounts post directly to an
expense account except for items associated with amortization templates. For information about vendor
bills without amortization, see the help topic Vendor Bills. When an amortization template is linked, the
expense amount is deferred by posting to a deferred expense account. The amount is later recognized
as an expense by moving it out of the deferral account and into a regular expense account using general
journal entries at scheduled intervals. NetSuite provides a user interface where you can generate all
journal entries required for amortization for a selected posting period. See Amortization Journal Entries.
You can also link an amortization template to a manual journal entry to create an amortization schedule
for the journal entry. For instructions to do this, see the help topic Making Journal Entries.
If the Project Management feature is enabled, you can use variable amortization schedules to recognize
expenses based on the percentage of project work completed. See Using Percent-Complete Amortization
for Projects.
Amortization Guide
Setup for Amortization 3
In U.K. editions, use a foreign currency amortization schedule to amortize the foreign currency amounts
of transactions rather than the base currency amounts. Create journals using the historical transaction
exchange rates. See Foreign Currency Amortization.
NetSuite provides amortization reports. See Amortization Reports.
Setup for Amortization

Complete the following tasks to set up the Amortization feature:
■ Enabling the Amortization Feature

■ Setting Amortization Preferences
■ Enabling Auto-Numbered Amortization Schedules
■ Specifying Deferral Accounts for Amortization
After you have set up the Amortization feature, the next step is to create the amortization templates used
to generate amortization schedules for item purchases. See Amortization Templates.
Enabling the Amortization Feature

To use the Amortization feature, the Accounting Periods feature must be enabled because accounting
periods are used for amortization schedules. Accounting periods must be set up for the complete range
of time covered by your amortization schedules. In addition, amortization requires one ore more deferred
expense accounts.
The Amortization feature also may be used in conjunction with the Revenue Recognition feature and
other revenue features.
To enable amortization:
1. Go to Setup > Company > Setup Tasks > Enable Features (Administrator).
2. Click the Accounting subtab, ensure the Accounting Periods, Amortization, and any other
desired feature boxes are checked, and click Save.
3. Ensure that one or more deferred expense accounts are set up as needed.
NetSuite automatically adds a default account with a type of Deferred Expense to the Chart of
Accounts because at least one account of this type is required for the feature. You can create
additional Deferred Expense type accounts as needed. For each item that requires amortization,
you designate a Deferred Expense type account where expenses are posted according to the
generated schedule.
To view the automatically created account or to create additional accounts, go to Lists > Accounting
> Chart of Accounts.
4. Ensure that accounting periods are set up for the range of time your amortization schedules will
cover, at Setup > Accounting > Manage Accounting Periods.
For example, if you are going to create schedules that extend three years ahead, you need to set
up accounting periods through that time
Setting Amortization Preferences

After the Amortization feature has been enabled, you can set amortization preferences.
Amortization Guide
To set the amortization accounting preferences:
1. Go to Setup > Accounting > Accounting Preferences.

2. Click the General subtab.
3. Set the following preferences as desired:
In the Revenue Recognition section:
■ Use System Percentage of Completion For Schedules – Check this box to calculate project
completion automatically, based on approved time logged against the project. To override
the automatic calculation, enter a value in the Rev Rec Override Percent Complete field on the
Financial subtab of the project.
If you clear this box, you must enter the percentage of project completion for amortization
manually on project records in the Rev Rec Override Percent Complete field. The value in this
field can be different from the value in the system-calculated Percent Time Complete field.
In the Amortization section:
■ Allow Users to Modify Amortization Schedule – Check this box to allow changes in the
total amount on an amortization schedule after it is initially created. The total amount of the
schedule must always equal the purchase amount of the related line item. Only amounts that
have not yet been recognized can be changed.
Clear this box if you prefer that amortization schedules not be changed after they are created.
■ Allow Foreign Currency Amortization Schedules – (Available only in NetSuite U.K. editions)
Check this box to be able to create amortization schedules using the foreign currency amounts
instead of base currency amounts. For information about foreign currency amortization, see
Foreign Currency Amortization.
■ Default Amortization Journal Date To – Set the default posting date of amortization journal
entries on the Create Amortization Journal Entries page as follows:
□ Last Day of Period – The date defaults to the last day of the period you select in the Posting
Period field.
□ Current Date – The date defaults to the current date.
Default Amortization Journal Entry Form – Select the journal entry form to use for
amortization journal entries. The options are Standard Journal Entry plus any custom journal
entry forms created during implementation.
■ Number of Short-Term Expense Periods - Enter the number of short-term expense periods to
include in the Deferred Expense Waterfall report. Integers from 0 through 52 inclusive are valid
values. The default is 12.
4. Click Save.
Enabling Auto-Numbered Amortization Schedules

When you use the Amortization feature, you can choose to automate the numbering of amortization
schedules. This enhances your ability to audit deferred and forecasted expenses.
To enable auto-numbering for revenue recognition schedules:
1. Go to Setup > Company > Setup Tasks > Auto-Generated Numbers.

2. Click the Schedules subtab.
3. Check the Enable box next to Amortization Schedule.
4. Enter the appropriate information in each column:
Amortization Guide
■ Prefix
■ Suffix
■ Minimum Digits
■ Initial Number
■ Current Number
When auto-generated numbering is enabled, amortization schedules are listed by number instead of by
name on transactions and lists. The name is preserved on each schedule.
After a schedule has been created, the schedule number appears as a link on journal entries related
to that schedule. A schedule number link also replaces the View link on transactions that link to the
schedule.
Specifying Deferral Accounts for Amortization

Deferred expenses must be posted to a deferral account until they are shifted to an expense account by
amortization journal entries based on the amortization schedule. Without a deferral account specified,
amortization is not possible. Accounts of the type Deferred Expense are included as Other Current Assets
on the balance sheet.
For an item, a deferral account must be specified either on the item record or on the associated template
record. Costs for this item on a vendor bill or credit can then be amortized if the item has an associated
amortization template on the item record or transaction line.
For an expense charge, a deferral account must be specified on the expense account record or the
associated template record. Costs for an expense line on a vendor bill or credit can then be amortized if
the expense has an associated amortization template on the transaction line.
Important: The deferral account specified in an amortization template takes precedence over
a deferral account specified in an item record and over a deferral account specified in an expense
account record.
If you change the deferral account, the change applies only to new amortization schedules. Existing
amortization schedules and amortization journal entries do not change.
Note: Use GL Impact to view the deferral account posted for a transaction line. On the
transaction, the expense line displays the target account.
Specifying a Deferral Account on an Amortization Template

For information about specifying a deferral account in an amortization template, see Amortization
Template Term Reference and Creating Amortization Templates.
Specifying a Deferral Account on an Item Record

You can specify a deferral account on an item record in the Deferred Expense Account field on the
Accounting subtab. Only the following types of items support amortization:
■ Non-inventory Item for Purchase/Resale

■ Other Charge for Purchase/Resale
■ Service for Purchase/Resale
Amortization Guide
To specify the deferral account on an item record:
1. Go to Lists > Accounting > Items, and click Edit next to an item.
2. In the item record, click the Accounting subtab, and select an account in the Deferred Expense
Account field.
3. Click Save.
For other steps required to configure an item for amortization, see Setting an Amortization Template on
an Item Record.
Specifying a Deferral Account on an Expense Account

You can specify a deferral account on Expense, Other Expense, and Cost of Goods Sold types of general
ledger accounts.
To set up a general ledger account for amortization expense:
1. Go to Lists > Accounting > Accounts.

2. In the Chart of Accounts page, click Edit next to the account you want to set up.
3. In the Deferral Account field, select the deferred expense account you want to use.
4. Click Save.
Now, when this expense account is used, amounts are deferred to the appropriate account.
Amortization Templates
After the Amortization feature has been enabled, you can create multiple templates to define expense
deferral terms. These templates are used to generate amortization schedules that determine how costs
from associated items and expenses should be posted.
The Lists permission Amortization Schedules controls access to amortization templates. For more
information, see the help topic Access Levels for Permissions.
■ For details and examples of the choices available for templates, see Amortization Template Term
Reference.
■ For steps for creating a new template, see Creating Amortization Templates.
After templates have been created, you can associate them with items and expenses.
■ You can select a default amortization template for an item on its item record. You also can associate
an amortization template with an item for a specific transaction only by selecting it on the transaction
item line. See Configuration for Amortization.
■ You can associate an amortization template with an expense for a specific transaction by selecting it
on the transaction expense line. See Associating Amortization Templates with Expenses.
Amortization Template Term Reference

Amortization templates provide the basic terms used to generate amortization schedules. You should
review the following descriptions to get a good understanding of amortization terms before you begin to
define them:
Amortization Guide
Amortization Templates 7
■ Amortization Template Types

■ Amortization Methods
■ Amortization Term Source
■ Amortization Accounts
■ Amortization Period
■ Amortization Period Offset and Start Offset
■ Amortization Residual
■ Amortization Initial Amount
You set these terms on the Amortization Template page at Lists > Accounting > Amortization Templates >
New. All amortization templates are public templates.
For steps to follow to create each amortization template, see Creating Amortization Templates.
For information about how amortization posting occurs, see Amortization Schedules.
Amortization Template Types

Two types of templates are available:
■ Standard – Select this type for most templates. This type requires you to enter a recognition Method
and Term Source for the template.
■ Variable – Select this type to use this template for percent-complete expense recognition for service
items that are part of projects. A variable amortization schedule amortizes its balance as time is
entered against the related project, until the project is completed.
This type of schedule is available if the Project Management feature is enabled. For information, see
Using Percent-Complete Amortization for Projects.
Note: If you select a type of Variable, you cannot set the following template fields: Method,
Term Source, Amortization Period, Period Offset, Start Offset, and Initial Amount. Variable
amortization scheduled do not include forecast amounts.
Amortization Methods
You can choose from a number of straight-line amortization methods, or define your own custom
method.
Straight-Line Amortization Methods

The following straight-line methods are available:
■ Straight-line, by even periods – amortizes expenses evenly for each period. Currency amounts are
not prorated based on the number of days in any period. All periods recognize equal amounts.
The term includes the start date and end date you define.
■ Straight-line, prorate first & last period – amortizes equal amounts for periods other than the first
and the final period, regardless of the number of days in each period. Amounts are prorated for the
first period and the final period based on the number of days in each period.
■ Straight-line, using exact days – amortizes amounts individually for each period based on the
number of days in each period. Because each day in the term recognizes an equal amount, each
period may recognize a different amount.
Amortization Guide
■ Straight-line, prorate first & last period (period-rate) – determines the full number of periods in
the schedule and allocates expenses based on the proportional period amount.
For examples of how expenses are recognized using straight-line methods, see Straight-Line Amortization
Method Examples.
Custom Amortization Methods

If you select a Method of Custom, you can define amortization terms that can include uneven periods,
amounts, and multiple expense accounts.
For example, a custom schedule may be defined as:
■ 1st period – 40% of expense posts to expense account 6000, 10% to account 6001
■ 2nd period through 6th period – 10% of expense to posts to account 6002
When you select Custom in this field, you define amortization terms by entering information in the
columns at the bottom of the page:
■ Account – the expense account you want to post deferred expenses into.
■ Period Offset – the number of periods to postpone the start of the amortization schedule for this line.
The first period to recognize has an offset of zero.
For example, if your amortization terms are based on 30-day periods, enter a 2 in this field to wait 60
days before you begin recognizing revenue for this line.
You can recognize different amounts to different accounts within the same period when you set
several lines to the same period offset value.
■ Amount – the expense amount to recognize as a percentage or a currency value.
Amortization Term Source

The Term Source controls how the amortization period is determined. Select from the following:
■ Transaction Date – sources the date specified in the originating transaction, such as a vendor bill.
■ Receipt Date – sources the receipt date on bills associated with an item receipt, using the receipt date
as the amortization start date. The receipt date is used generally for fixed assets entered on vendor
bills.
For example, you could set up the following term source amortization:
□ On 1/1/2006, you enter a bill for a $3600 computer. You set an amortization period of 36 months
and a period offset of 1 month. Amortization start or end dates are ignored.
□ On 2/1/2006, the computer on the purchase order is received into inventory.
□ On 3/1/2006, amortization begins.
Note: If you select Receipt Date as the term source for a template but no receipt exists, for
example when billing in advance, then NetSuite uses the transaction date to determine the
amortization period.
Amortization Accounts
The following types of accounts are used for amortization:
Amortization Guide
■ Deferral Account - the Deferred Expense type account used to post the prepaid expense to be
amortized or the initial cost of an asset to be depreciated. If you leave this field blank on a template,
the deferred expense account specified on the transaction is used. See Specifying Deferral Accounts
for Amortization.
If you select a GL account, NetSuite overrides the expense account shown on the transaction and
posts to the account selected on the template.
■ Contra Account - the account that accumulates amortized balances. This account is used most often
for depreciated expenses.
■ Target Account - the account used to record amortized expenses over time. If you leave this field
blank on a template, the expense account specified on the transaction is used. Select a specific GL
account on the template to override the expense account shown on the transaction or item record.
Amortization Period
The Amortization Period is the number of periods over which the amount should be amortized. For
example, you can enter 60 to amortize the amount over 60 periods starting from the amortization start
date.
The starting period is specified by the amortization start date on the transaction. If no amortization start
date is specified, the posting date of the transaction is the amortization start date.
If an amortization end date is indicated on the transaction, you do not need to complete this field.
Amortization Period Offset and Start Offset

You can define an Offset value for an amortization template to delay the start of a schedule. Two types of
Offset are available:
■ Period Offset moves the entire amortization period ahead by the number of periods you specify,
keeping the same number of periods.
For example, if your amortization terms are based on 30-day periods, enter a 2 in this field to wait 60
days before you begin recognizing expenses. This can be useful for services you purchase that have a
probationary or trial period.
■ Start Offset delays the beginning of amortization, changing the number of periods, and keeping the
same end date.
To use a start offset, you specify the number of periods to skip before the start of the amortization for
a schedule. Setting a start offset changes the number of periods in the schedule because it postpones
the beginning, but does not change the final period of the schedule.
For example, to begin amortization in the third month of a 12–month schedule, enter 2 for the Start
Offset. The number of periods in the schedule is reduced by the start offset value.
Amortization Residual
The residual is the amount or percentage to remain in the deferral account and not be amortized. A
residual amount generally represents the salvage value of a fixed asset.
For example, you entered a $1400 bill for a new computer. The computer is set to amortize the expense
as follows:
■ Method = Straight-line, by even periods

■ Amortization period = 12 months
■ Residual = $200
Amortization Guide
This results in the following amortization schedule:
Period Amortization Deferral Debit Target Credit Contra Credit Contra

Amount Account Account Balance Account Account
Balance
(Depreciation (Accumulated Cumulative
(Fixed Asset) Expense) Depreciation Balance
Expense)
1 1400
2 100 1300 100 100 100
... ... ... ... ... ...
12 100 200 100 100 1200
(residual)
Note: A residual amount entered on a transaction overrides a residual amount entered on an

item record.
Amortization Initial Amount

The initial amount is a percentage or fixed currency amount to be amortized in the first amortization
period. After the initial amount, the remainder to be amortized is recognized according to the
amortization schedule.
For example, you have contracted with a vendor who will recognize 25% of a $1200 item immediately.
■ Initial amount = 25%, or $300.

■ Method = Straight-line, by even periods
■ Amortization period = 12 months
The amortization of the remaining $900 is recognized at $75 per period over the remainder of the
schedule:
Period Expense
1 $300 (initial)
2 $75
3 $75
... ...
12 $75
Straight-Line Amortization Method Examples

When a straight-line method is used, purchase expenses are amortized over the scheduled term
based on the start date, end date, and method chosen. The start date and end date are included in the
amortization term.
Amortization examples in this section are based on a vendor bill that shows following:
■ Amortization start date 20 August
Amortization Guide
■ Amortization end date 19 December of the same year

■ Four items purchased for $400.00 each, for a total bill of $1,600
■ Each item line has a different amortization template associated with it, but the start and end dates are
the same.
Saving the vendor bill creates four amortization schedules, each to amortize $400.00 over full four
periods from August through December inclusive. When you count the number of periods that have
amortization amounts, the total is five periods, but two are partial periods. The method set on the
amortization template for each line determines the amounts amortized during each period.
The following examples show the differences in amortization amounts per period with each recognition
method:
■ Straight-line, by even periods

■ Straight-line, prorate first & last period
■ Straight-line, using exact days
■ Straight-line, prorate first & last period (period-rate)
Straight-line, by even periods

This method divides the expense from the purchase amount evenly across all periods, even partial
periods. Amounts are not prorated based on the number of days in any period.
Period Expense
August $80.00
September $80.00
October $80.00
November $80.00
December $80.00
Total $400.00
Straight-line, prorate first & last period

This method amortizes equal amounts for periods other than the first and the final period, regardless of
the number of days in each period.
Amounts are prorated for the first period and the final period based on the number of days in each
period.
■ The first period is prorated for 20 August through 31 August, or 12 days.

■ The final period is prorated for 1 December through 19 December, or 19 days.
■ The middle periods amortize the balance equally ($400 – $39.34 – 62.31 = $298.35 ÷ 3 = $99.45.)
Period Expense Calculation
August $39.34 12 ÷122 × $400 = $39.45
September $99.45 $298.35 ÷ 3 = $99.45
October $99.45 $298.35 ÷ 3 = $99.45
Amortization Guide
Period Expense Calculation
November $99.45 $298.35 ÷ 3 = $99.45
December $62.31 19 ÷122 × $400 = $62.31
Total $400.00
Note: If rounding is required for amounts when using the Straight-line, prorate first & last period
method, then the rounding difference is added to the next to the last period.
Straight-line, using exact days

This method amortizes amounts individually for each period based on the number of days in each
period. Because each day in the term recognizes an equal amount, each period may recognize a different
amount. The full amortization period is 122 days, which is $3.278689 per day.
■ The first partial period is prorated for 20 August through 31 August, or 12 days.
■ The second period is prorated for the entire month of September, or 30 days.
■ The third period is prorated for the entire month of October, or 31 days.
■ The fourth period is prorated for the entire month of November, or 30 days.
■ The fifth partial period is prorated for 1 December through 19 December, or 19 days.
Period Expense
August $39.34
September $98.36
October $101.64
November $98.36
December $62.30
Total $400.00
Straight-line, prorate first & last period (period-rate)

This method determines the full number of periods in the schedule and allocates expenses based on the
proportional period amount. The example has four full periods, and the amount per period is $100.
Period Note Calculation Expense
August 12 is the number of days from 20 August to 31 12 days ÷ 31 days × $100 $38.71
August inclusive.
September $100.00
October $100.00
November $100.00
December 19 is the number of days from 1 December 19 days ÷ 31 days × $100 $61.29
through 19 December inclusive
Amortization Guide
Period Note Calculation Expense
Total $400.00
Creating Amortization Templates

An amortization template defines the terms of the amortization schedule created by the purchase of an
item. For information about the fields in an amortization schedule, see Viewing an Amortization Schedule.
For details and examples of the choices available for templates, see Amortization Template Term
Reference.
The Lists permission Amortization Schedules controls access to amortization templates. For more
To define an amortization template:
1. Go to Lists > Accounting > Amortization Templates > New.

2. On the Amortization Template page, in the Name field, enter a name for this template.
For example, you could name a template 12 Month, Equal Distribution.
3. In the Type field, select the kind of template you are creating: Standard (used for most templates)
or Variable (used for percent-complete recognition when the Project Management feature is
enabled).
4. In the Method field, select a method to set the terms to post the expense from the net purchase
amount.
■ For descriptions of the available methods, see Amortization Methods.
■ For examples of how straight-line methods work, see Straight-Line Amortization Method
Examples.
■ If you select Custom, you must manually specify accounts, posting periods and amounts in the
columns at the bottom of the page.
1. Account – select the target expense account to which you want to post deferred
expenses.
2. Period Offset – specify the number of periods to postpone the start of the amortization
schedule for this line. The first period to amortize has an offset of zero.
3. Amount – enter the expense amount to recognize, as a percentage or a currency value.
4. Click Add.
5. Repeat these substeps to define additional terms for this custom method.
These fields are accessible only if you select Custom in the Method field.
5. Select a Term Source to control how the amortization period is determined.
For information about the choices for Term Source, see Amortization Term Source.
6. Check the Use Transaction Currency box if you want to use the foreign currency of a transaction,
not your base currency, to generate the amounts on the amortization schedule. This box is part of
foreign currency amortization and is available only in NetSuite U.K. editions.
For information about foreign currency amortization, see Foreign Currency Amortization.
7. In the Deferral Account field, select a Deferred Expense type account for posting.
Deferral accounts also can be specified in item and expense account records. See Specifying
Deferral Accounts for Amortization.
Amortization Guide
8. In the Contra Account field, select the account that accumulates amortized balances. This account
is most often used for depreciation schedules.
9. In the Target Account field, select the account where the expense is amortized over time. Select
Default to use the expense account indicated on either the transaction or item record.
10. In the Amortization Period field, enter the number of periods over which the amount should be
amortized. For example, you can enter 60 to amortize the amount over 60 periods starting from
the amortization start date.
For examples of how the amortization period value works, see Amortization Period.
11. Optionally, enter the number of accounting periods to delay the start of amortization after the
schedule start date. You can enter the following types of offsets:
■ Period Offset moves the entire amortization period ahead by x number of periods, keeping the
same number of periods, so that the end date is moved forward.
For example, if the schedule dates are 1/1/06 to 6/1/06 with month-long periods and a period
offset of 2, recognition starts on 3/1/06 and continues until 8/1/06.
■ Start Offset delays the beginning of amortization. This changes the number of periods and
keeps the same end date.
For example, if the schedule dates are 1/1/06 to 6/1/06 with month-long periods and a start
offset of 2, recognition starts on 3/1/06 and continues until 6/1/06.
Setting a period offset does not change the number of periods in the schedule. Setting a start
offset changes the number of periods in the schedule because it postpones the beginning but
does not change the final period of the schedule.
For more information, see Amortization Period Offset and Start Offset.
12. In the Residual field, enter an amount or percentage to remain in the deferral account and not be
amortized. A residual amount generally represents the salvage value of a fixed asset.
A residual amount entered on a transaction overrides a residual amount entered on an item
record.
13. In the Initial Amount field, enter a percentage or amount to be recognized in the first recognition
period. The remaining amount is then recognized according to the set recognition method.
For more information, see Amortization Initial Amount.
14. Check the Inactive box to inactivate the template. Inactivated templates are saved but do not
appear in lists or as choices in your account.
To view inactivated templates or reactivate them, go to Lists > Accounting > Amortization
Templates, and check the Show Inactives box.
15. All amortization templates are public templates which means they are available to all users, items,
and expenses.
16. Click Save.
Now, this template can be used to defer expenses by associating the template with an item you purchase.
This can be done on an item record or on a purchase transaction. See Configuration for Amortization.
To view a list of available amortization templates, go to Lists > Accounting > Revenue Recognition
Templates.
Configuration for Amortization

Amortization templates can be used to generate amortization schedules for items purchased based on
the association of templates with items.
You can associate an amortization template with the following item types:
Amortization Guide
■ Non-Inventory for Purchase/Resale

■ Other Charge for Purchase/Resale
■ Service for Purchase/Resale
You can associate an amortization template with an item on the item record to make it the default on all
transactions. When the item is entered on a purchase transaction, the associated template autofills on
the transaction line. The template can be changed as necessary for specific transactions. See Setting an
Amortization Template on an Item Record.
Amortization is supported for the following types of transactions:
■ Vendor Bill – Item lines on a bill can use the default amortization templates from item records, or you
can select templates on the bill transaction. See Setting an Amortization Template on a Vendor Bill
Line Item.
■ Vendor Credit – Item lines on a credit can use the default amortization templates from item records
or can inherit the amortization templates from the bill that generates the credit. You can also select
templates on the credit transaction. Setting an Amortization Template on a Vendor Credit Line Item.
To amortize the costs of an item, a deferral account must be specified on the item record or amortization
template record. If both records have deferral accounts, the template's deferral account is used. See
Specifying Deferral Accounts for Amortization.
When you enter a transaction, the following occurs for any item associated with an amortization template:
■ Expenses are deferred – The expense amount is posted to a deferred expense account, not to a
standard expense account.
■ An amortization schedule is created – Expense amounts are scheduled to be recognized across
periods based on the terms defined by the template.
Important: A deferred expense account must be specified for amortization to be supported.

Deferral accounts can be specified in item records, amortization templates, and expense account
records. See Specifying Deferral Accounts for Amortization.
Setting an Amortization Template on an Item Record

You can set an amortization template on an item record. This template becomes the default for all
purchases of the item.
To set up amortization on an item record:
1. Go to Lists > Accounting > Items, and click Edit next to an item.
Only the following types of items can use amortization: Non-Inventory for Purchase/Resale, Other
Charge for Purchase/Resale, and Service for Purchase/Resale.
2. In the item record, click the Accounting subtab, and select an account in the Deferred Expense
Account field.
This enables the purchase amount to be posted to a deferred expense account instead of a
standard expense account.
Deferral accounts also can be specified in amortization template records. See Specifying Deferral
Accounts for Amortization.
3. Click the Revenue Recognition / Amortization subtab and complete the following fields:
a. Select a template in the Amortization Template list.
Amortization Guide
This template is used by default on transactions. You can select a different template when
you create the transaction.
b. In the Residual field, enter an amount or percentage to remain in the deferral account and
not be amortized. A residual amount generally represents the salvage value of a fixed asset.
A residual amount entered on a transaction overrides a residual amount entered on an item
record.
c. In the Amortization Period field, enter the number of periods over which the purchase
amount should be amortized. For example, enter 60 to amortize the amount over 60 periods
starting from the amortization start date.
The starting period is specified by the amortization start date on bills. If no amortization start
date is specified, the posting date of the bill is the amortization start date.
4. Click Save.
The item defaults to use the assigned template to generate an amortization schedule when it is billed
or credited. You can change the amortization template on individual transaction lines. See Setting an
Amortization Template on a Vendor Bill Line Item and Setting an Amortization Template on a Vendor
Credit Line Item.
Setting an Amortization Template on a Vendor Bill Line Item

When you enter a vendor bill, you can select amortization templates for items. You can modify the default
template set in the item record or select a template when no default is available.
You cannot select an amortization template for a vendor bill line derived from purchase order line with an
accrual. The amortization settings are disabled for these lines on the vendor bill.
To associate an amortization template with an item on a vendor bill:
1. Go to Transactions > Payables > Enter Bills.

2. Under Primary Information, select values for the fields as needed.
3. On the Items subtab, select an item.
4. In the Amort. Schedule column, select the appropriate template from the dropdown list.
A deferral account must be specified on either the template or the item record. See Specifying
If you select a variable template, you must also select the associated project in the Customer
column dropdown list.
5. Enter an amortization start and end date, if needed.
You must create accounting periods for the range of time your amortization schedules will
cover, or an error will occur when you save the transaction. See the help topic Accounting Period
Management.
You also will encounter an error if the start or end date is before the posting period selected for
the transaction.
6. Enter the residual amount not to be recognized if needed.
7. Enter additional information as needed for this line item.
8. Click Add.
9. Repeat the steps on the Items subtab for additional items as needed.
10. Click Save.
Amortization Guide
The item on the bill associated with an amortization template posts to a deferred expense account
instead of a regular expense account.
You can customize a transaction form to use a specific template for all items on the transaction. To do so,
click Customize on the form.
Setting an Amortization Template on a Vendor Credit Line Item

To create a vendor credit, you can enter an individual vendor credit transaction or generate a credit from
an existing vendor bill. You can select amortization templates for items when you enter a credit.
On a generated credit, items inherit amortization templates from the related bill; these inherited
templates cannot be edited. You can add templates for items that did not have them on the bill, and add
items with templates, to a generated credit.
Important: When using amortization, you should change expenses on purchase transactions
using vendor credits rather than changing the original transaction. This preserves your historical
data and audit trail. For an example, see Vendor Credit Amortization Example.
To associate an amortization template with an item on a vendor credit:
1. Go to Transactions > Purchases/Vendors > Enter Vendor Credits.

2. Under Primary Information, select values for the fields as needed.
3. On the Items subtab, select an item.
4. In the Amort. Schedule column, select the appropriate template.
A deferral account must be specified one either the template or the item record. See Specifying
column dropdown.
An error occurs if either of these dates is in an accounting period that is not yet set up. You must
create accounting periods for the range of time your amortization schedules will cover. See the
help topic Accounting Period Management.
An error also occurs if either of these dates is before the posting period selected for the
transaction.
6. Enter the residual amount not to be recognized if needed.
8. Click Add.
9. Click Save.
Now, the item is associated with the amortization template for this vendor credit. When the transaction is
saved, an amortization schedule is created.
A vendor credit created from an existing bill retains the bill's amortization settings and posts to accounts
appropriately. The deferred expense is debited, the expense account is credited and the amortization
dates from the bill autofill on the vendor credit.
To generate a credit directly from an existing vendor bill:
1. To generate a credit from a bill, go to Transactions > Purchases/Vendors > Enter Bills > List, and
click View beside a bill
Amortization Guide
2. In the vendor bill record, click Credit.

3. Verify that an amortization template appears in the Amort. Schedule column for the line and other
information is correct.
4. Click Save.
Note: If amounts are set to be posted to periods that have closed between the posting date
of the vendor credit and the Amortization Start Date, these amounts post to the oldest open
period.
Vendor Credit Amortization Example

When using amortization, you should change expenses on purchase transactions using vendor credits
rather than changing the original transaction. This preserves your historical data and audit trail.
When an item on a vendor credit is associated with an amortization template, expense recognition that
has occurred is backed out of deferral accounts and expense accounts according to the schedule.
For example, a bill is created for $1200 and spans 12 amortization periods. $1200 posts to the deferred
expense account when the vendor bill posts. Then, after the first period is over, $100 is removed from
the deferred expense account and moved to the appropriate expense account.
Next, you enter a vendor credit for the $1100 that is still deferred and not yet posted to the expense
account. The $1100 credit spans the remaining 11 amortization periods from the original bill.
In the second amortization period, the $1100 is backed out of the deferred expense account. For the
remainder of the bill term, one time each period an amortization journal entry debits and credits the
expense account for $100, with a net effect of $0.
Associating Amortization Templates with Expenses

Amortization templates can be used to generate amortization schedules for expenses, based on the
association of templates with expense lines on vendor bills and credits.
You can select amortization templates for expense lines on vendor bill and vendor credit transactions.
To amortize an expense line, a deferral account must be specified on the expense account record or the
amortization template record. If both records have deferral accounts, the template's deferral account is
used. See Specifying Deferral Accounts for Amortization.
To associate an amortization template with a transaction expense line:
1. Do one of the following:

■ For vendor bills, go to Transactions > Payables > Enter Bills.
■ For vendor credits, go to Transactions > Payables > Enter Vendor Credits.
2. Under Primary Information, select a Vendor, and select values for other fields as needed.
3. On the Expenses subtab, select an expense account and an amount.
4. In the Amort. Schedule column, select the appropriate template.
A deferral account must be specified one either the template or the item record. Since expense
lines do not include items, be sure to select an amortization template that specifies a deferral
account. See Specifying Deferral Accounts for Amortization.
Amortization Guide
column dropdown.
An error occurs if either of these dates is in an accounting period that is not yet set up. You must
create accounting periods for the range of time your amortization schedules will cover. See the
help topic Accounting Period Management.
An error also occurs if either of these dates is before the posting period selected for the
transaction.
6. Enter the residual amount not to be recognized, if needed.
The following screenshot of a portion of a vendor bill shows the required fields to associate an
amortization template with an expense line. The layout of a vendor credit is similar.

8. Click Add.
9. Repeat steps 3-8 for additional items as needed.
10. Click Save.
Note: This process is basically the same when you generate a credit directly from a vendor bill,
except that any amortization information set for expense lines on the bill is inherited by the credit
and cannot be changed.
Amortization Schedules
After the Amortization feature has been set up, amortization schedules are generated for purchase
transactions containing items or expense lines that have associated amortization templates. Each
schedule indicates the posting periods in which expenses should be recognized, and the amount to be
recognized in each period.
An amortization schedule is generated when the purchase transaction is saved. If you are using approval
routing for vendor bills, the amortization schedule is not created until the bill is approved. The only way
to delete an amortization schedule is to remove the line that has an amortization schedule from the
transaction.
Note: You cannot delete a schedule that has associated journal entries. If you need to delete
a schedule that has posted journal entries associated with it, you must delete the journal entry
before you can delete the schedule.
The amortization schedule is not a transaction and does not post to the general ledger. The schedule
details the expense amounts that will post and when they will post to recognize deferred expenses over
time. The amortization posting occurs when you generate amortization journal entries. See Amortization
Journal Entries.
Amortization Guide
Amortization Schedules 20
You cannot generate an amortization schedule for a vendor bill line derived from a purchase order line
with an accrual. The amortization settings are disabled for these lines on the vendor bill.
Amortization schedules determine the journal entries that need to be generated to record the impact
of purchased items and expenses. For each posting period, NetSuite provides a list of journal entries
required to recognize expenses. See Amortization Journal Entries.
Amortization schedules and the journal entries generated from them are subsidiary specific in NetSuite
OneWorld. You can view and edit only amortization schedules and journal entries for subsidiaries to which
you have access.
The Lists permission Amortization Schedules controls access to amortization schedules. For more
See the following for information about working with amortization schedules:
■ Reviewing the Amortization Schedules List

■ Viewing an Amortization Schedule
■ Editing an Amortization Schedule
■ Mass Updating Amortization Schedules
Reviewing the Amortization Schedules List

To view a list of amortization schedules:

Go to Lists > Accounting > Amortization Schedules.
The Amortization Schedules page lists all active amortization schedules.
The following is shown for each schedule:
■ Date – The date the schedule was created

■ Type – Identifies whether the schedule is Standard or Variable
■ Status – The amortization status can be one of the following:
□ Not Started – No expenses have yet been recognized.
□ In Progress – Some expenses have been recognized, but not all.
□ Complete – All expenses have been recognized for this schedule.
■ Source Transaction – Shows the transaction the schedule originates from.
■ Template Name – Shows the name of the template that created the schedule.
■ Schedule Name – Shows the name of the schedule. This is the same as the template name by default,
but can be changed.
■ Amount – Shows the total amortization amount for the schedule, including amounts already
recognized and amounts yet to be recognized.
■ Remaining Deferred Balance – Shows the amount on the schedule which has not yet been
recognized.
■ Total Amortized – Shows the amount on the schedule which has already been recognized to date.
Variable schedules, which are linked to Projects, also show the following information:
Amortization Guide
■ Project – Shows a link to the associated project record.

■ % Total Amort – Shows the percentage of the schedule already recognized for all periods.
For each schedule in the list, you can:
■ Click Edit or View to open the schedule.

■ Click the name in the Schedule Name column, or click the number in the # column to view the
schedule.
■ Click the invoice number in the Source Transaction column to view the invoice that the schedule was
created from.
■ Click the Template Name to view the template used to create the schedule.
■ Click the Schedule Name to view the schedule.
You can select filters to limit the schedules showing in the list. Filter the list by the following:
■ Posting Period
■ Status
■ Transaction Type
Viewing an Amortization Schedule

You can view detailed information for each amortization schedule.
To view an amortization schedule:
1. Go to Lists > Accounting > Amortization Schedules.

2. Click View next to a schedule.
Note: You can also view an amortization schedule from the purchase transaction that created it.
On the transaction, on the Expenses or Items subtab, in the Amort. Schedule column, click View
to open the schedule.
When you view an individual schedule, this header information applies to all lines:
■ Name – Shows the name of the schedule. This is the same as the template name by default, but can
be changed.
■ Created From – Shows the transaction type that the schedule was created from.
If you click this link to open the transaction, the line that generated the schedule is highlighted.
■ Template – Shows the name of the template that created the schedule.
■ Type – Identifies whether the schedule is Standard or Variable.
■ Method – Identifies the method used to set amortization terms for the expense.
■ Term Source – Shows how the recognition period is determined, from either the transaction date or
the receipt date.
■ Start Date – Shows the date expense recognition begins for this schedule.
The starting period is specified by the recognition start date on bills. If no recognition start date is
specified, the posting date of the bill is the recognition start date.
Amortization Guide
■ End Date – The end date entered for this schedule appears here.
■ Status – The amortization status can be one of the following:
□ Not Started – No expense has yet been recognized.
□ In Progress – Some expense has been recognized, but not all.
□ Complete – All expense is recognized for this schedule.
■ Period Offset – Specifies the number of periods to postpone the start of recognition for the entire
schedule.
■ Start Offset – Specifies the number of periods to postpone the start of the recognition for a schedule.
■ Residual – Shows the amount or percentage to remain in the deferral account and not be amortized.
■ Initial Amount – The percentage or amount to be recognized in the first recognition period.
■ Remaining Deferred Balance – Shows the amount on the schedule which has not yet been
recognized.
■ Total Amortized – Shows the amount on the schedule which has already been recognized to date.
■ Amount – Shows the total amortization amount for the schedule, including amounts already
recognized and amounts yet to be recognized.
■ Eliminate – If this box is checked, the transaction from which the schedule was created is an
intercompany transaction.
The following information shows for each line:
■ Account – The expense account that this line's expense amount is recognized to.
This defaults to show the item's expense account.
■ Posting Period – The period this line is scheduled to be recognized in.
If the Start Date of a schedule is in a closed period, the amount that would have been recognized in
that period is posted to the oldest open period.
■ Is Recognized – A check box to specify that this amount has been recognized by a manual entry.
If this box is checked, the schedule is not included on the Create Amortization Journal Entry page for
the certain period.
■ Date Executed – The date of the journal entry that posts the amount.
■ Journal – The number of the journal entry that posts the amount.
You can click this number to view the journal entry.
■ Amount – The amount to be recognized for this line of the schedule.
■ Total Amortized – Shows the cumulative amount already recognized on the schedule to date.
Variable schedules, which are linked to Projects, also show the following information:
■ Project – Shows a link to the associated project record.

■ % Amort. In Period – Shows the amount of the schedule that has been amortized in that period.
■ % Total Amort – Shows the percentage of the schedule already recognized for all periods.
Editing an Amortization Schedule

Depending on your setting for the preference Allow Users to Modify Amortization Schedules, you can
change schedules after they are created. See Setting Amortization Preferences.
You can change the name of the schedule and the account, posting period, and amount for existing
schedule lines. Changing other values and adding lines to the schedule are not supported.
Amortization Guide
To edit an amortization schedule:

2. Choose a period in the Posting Period dropdown list to filter the list.
3. Click Edit for the schedule you want to change.
4. Click the line you want to change.
You can edit the account, posting period, and amount for that line.
5. When you finish changing the line, click OK.
6. Repeat steps 5 and 6 for any other lines you need to change.
The total of the schedule line amounts must equal the Amount of the amortization schedule.
7. Click Save.
Mass Updating Amortization Schedules

NetSuite provides a mass update for amortization schedules that you can run to update multiple records
at one time. You can update the Is Recognized field on many amortization schedules at one time using
a mass update. For all schedules that match the criteria set in the update form, the Is Recognized box is
either checked or unchecked.
Mass updates to set amortization schedule status can be used to migrate data where an opening balance
approach is used and schedules span the period when the balance is entered. To avoid duplication, lines
with posting dates prior to the period when the opening balance is entered are marked as recognized.
To complete an Update Is Recognized Flag mass update:
1. Go to Lists > Mass Update > Mass Updates.

2. Click Amortization Schedules.
3. Click Update Is Recognized Flag.
4. Complete the mass update form to set criteria, including selecting Yes or No in the Is Recognized
field.
5. Click Preview or Save.
For more information on mass updates, read the help topic Mass Changes or Updates.
Amortization Journal Entries

Amortization schedules provide the information required to amortize expenses, but you must generate
the amortization journal entries to post expenses to the general ledger. This step is required even if you
use cash basis reporting. For instructions, follow the links to these topics:
■ Generating Amortization Journal Entries

■ Editing an Amortization Journal Entry
■ Approving an Amortization Journal Entry
Amortization Guide
Amortization Journal Entries 24
■ Setting Up a Reminder for Amortization Journal Entries
Note: For information about journal entries that recognize expenses based on the percentage of
project work completed, see Using Percent-Complete Amortization for Projects.
Generating Amortization Journal Entries

After expense and item amounts from bills and bill credits have posted to deferred expense accounts,
these amounts need to be recognized and moved to expense accounts at appropriate intervals.
Amortization schedules provide a basis for the generation of journal entries to post this impact to the
general ledger. You can use the Create Amortization Journal Entries page to create journal entries that
post deferred expenses. This page lists amounts from all schedules that are due to post. Amortization
journal entries for vendor bills typically debit expense accounts and credit deferred expense accounts.
To recognize a deferred expense:
1. Go to Transactions > Financial > Create Amortization Journal Entries.

You can also get to this page directly from your dashboard. This navigation is available when you
set up the Amortization Entries Pending reminder. See Setting Up a Reminder for Amortization
Journal Entries.
2. Select a posting period to display the schedules with unposted amortization journal entries for that
period.
3. In the Journal Entry Date field, set the transaction date of amortization journal entries you are
creating.
You can set the default date that shows in this field by setting a preference at Setup > Accounting >
Accounting Preferences. Select a date in the Default Revenue Recognition Journal Date to field.
4. If your role has permission to enter journal entries that are approved, check the Approve Journal
box to approve the journal entry when you save it. Clear this box to submit this journal entry for
approval after it is entered.
5. Select values for the following required filters if they appear in your account:
■ Subsidiary – This required filter appears only on NetSuite OneWorld implementations.
■ Accounting Book – This required filter appears only when the Multi-Book Accounting feature is
enabled.
6. Use the other filters at the top of the page to limit the list of amortization schedules displayed for
this period. The filters you select become your default for this page.
■ Transaction Type – The type of source transaction.
■ Name – Name of the entity associated with the schedule.
■ Type – The type of amortization schedule.
■ Item Type – The type of item.
■ Original Account – On this page, the original account is the same as the deferral account.
■ Target Account – The expense account used to record amortized expenses over time.
■ Deferral Account – The Deferred Expense type account used to post the prepaid expense or
the initial cost of an asset to be depreciated.
■ Transaction Date, From and To – When you select a date range in the Transaction Date field,
the From and To fields are automatically populated. If you enter or select dates directly in the
From and To fields, the Transaction Date field displays (Custom).
Amortization Guide
7. In the Select Individual Schedules field:

■ Check the Select Individual Schedules box to create only one journal entry. After you have
filtered the list to show specific schedules, you can check the box in the Select column next to
each schedule you want to include in the journal entry. When you click Create Journal Entries,
you create one journal entry for all schedules that you marked.
If there are multiple segment or pages of schedules, when selecting schedules the following is
true:
□ If you click Mark All or Unmark All, only boxes on the current segment or page are
affected.
□ You must click Create Journal Entries to create an entry for each segment or page of
schedules.
■ Clear the Select Individual Schedules box to create one or more journal entries. After you
have filtered the list to show particular schedules, when you click Create Journal Entries, you
create multiple journal entries for all schedules that show in the list including all segments or
pages of the list. It is not necessary to submit each page individually.
If you do not filter the list of schedules, a journal entry is created for every schedule for the
period selected, even if there are hundreds of schedules, or more.
The maximum number of entries for schedules that can be created at one time 10,000.
8. Click Create Journal Entries.
9. On the Create Journal Entries Status page, do the following:
a. Click Refresh to update the status.
b. When Percent Complete is 100.0%, in the Status column, click Complete.
c. On the Processed Schedules page, in the Journal column, click the links to view individual
journals.
Editing an Amortization Journal Entry

You can edit journal entries created from amortization schedules. These changes do not alter the
amortization schedule. Journal entries that you edit remain linked to the amortization schedule that
generated the original entry. For information about editing amortization schedules, see Editing an
Amortization Schedule.
Some edits, however, may introduce inaccuracies in the amortization reports. For this reason, you
cannot change accounts, amounts, segments, and some other information on amortization journals. For
example, if you set the class, location, or department for a source transaction, and then change those
settings on the amortization journal entry, your deferred expense balances would be classified differently
than your expense balances.
If you want to edit the fields on a journal entry that are unavailable, you should enter a journal entry
at each month-end to reclassify balances. These balances are easier to track and do not affect the
amortization reports.
To edit a journal entry created from an amortization schedule:

2. Click View next to the amortization schedule with the journal you want to edit.
3. Click a link in the Journal column to display a journal entry record.
4. Click Edit, and change the available fields on the original journal entry.
Amortization Guide
5. Click Save.
Approving an Amortization Journal Entry

If you use the standard journal entry form for your amortization journal entries, you have the same two
approval options as other types of journal entries. Accounting preferences determine which option your
account uses. For details, see the help topic Journal Entry Approval Overview.
To approve an amortization journal entry, do one of the following:
■ Check the Approved box when creating an amortization journal entry. Go to Transactions > Financial >
Create Amortization Journal Entries.
■ Check the Approved box on an existing amortization journal entry.
■ Use the Approve Journals page. Go to Transactions > Financial > Approve Journal Entries.
If your account uses an approval routing workflow for your journal entries, you can exclude system-
generated amortization journal entries from the workflow by creating a custom form for them. The
accounting preference Default Amortization Journal Entry Form enables you to select a custom form. Your
administrator can exclude your custom form from approval workflows.
Setting Up a Reminder for Amortization Journal Entries

You can also recognize deferred expenses directly from your dashboard. You can set up a reminder on
your Home page to notify you when amortization journal entries are due to post.
To set up a reminder for amortization:
1. Go to the Home page.

2. In the Reminders portlet, click Set Up.
3. On the Set Up Reminders page, check the Amortization Entries Pending box.
4. Click Save.
When amortization journal entries are due to post, NetSuite shows a reminder. Then you can click the link
in the Reminders portlet to view and post the journal entries.
Using Percent-Complete Amortization for Projects

If you have a projects based business, you can amortize expenses based on the percentage of completed
project work by using variable amortization schedules. You can coordinate the recognition of deferred
expenses with the completion of stages for your projects.
You can set up items and expense accounts to be associated with a variable amortization template and
with projects you track. Then purchases of these items or expenses charged to these accounts generate
amortization schedules based on the template and the linked project completion.
Note: Variable amortization schedules do not include forecast amounts.
As time worked is logged against the project and portions of the project are marked complete, journal
entries are created to recognize the related expenses.
Amortization Guide
Using Percent-Complete Amortization for Projects 27
Important: This feature is available only if you use Project Management.
To amortize expenses based on project completion:
1. Enable the Amortization feature. See Setup for Amortization.

2. Create a variable type amortization template. See Creating Amortization Templates.
3. Associate the variable type amortization template with items and expense accounts used for
the project. See Configuration for Amortization, and Associating Amortization Templates with
Expenses.
See the following topics for more details:
■ System Percentage of Completion Preference

■ Percent-Complete Based Amortization Journal Entries
■ Variable Schedule Amortization Example
System Percentage of Completion Preference

You can set a preference for NetSuite to automatically determine the percentage of a project that has
been completed.
To automatically calculate the percent completion for a project:
1. Go to Setup > Accounting > Accounting Preferences.

2. Click the General subtab.
3. Check the Use System Percentage of Completion For Schedules box.
4. Click Save.
If you do not enable this preference, you must enter the percentage of project completion manually on
project records in the Percent Complete field.
Percent-Complete Based Amortization Journal Entries

The Create Amortization Journal Entries page includes expense amounts due to post from variable
schedules based on project completion.
For the period you select, NetSuite determines the amount due to be amortized for each schedule
based on project completion. It calculates project completion based on entered and approved project
time entries. The Project record shows the percentage of completion for the project in that period, and
NetSuite uses that percentage to determine the expense due to post.
A variable schedule does not show in the list if:
■ It has a zero balance to amortize for the selected period.

■ It has already amortized an amount for the selected period.
Amortization journal entries typically credit a deferred expense account and debit an expense account.
In some cases, however, a journal entry may decrease the expense recognized. In these cases, the
amortization journal entries debit a deferred expense account and credit an expense account. For an
example of this case, see the Variable Schedule Amortization Example.
Amortization Guide
Using Percent-Complete Amortization for Projects 28
Variable Schedule Amortization Example

Variable schedules are used to amortize expenses associated with projects. Time logged against the
project toward completion determines the percentage complete. Then the percent complete figure
determines the amount amortized that period.
In the example below, vendor bills and payroll amounts contribute to the total cost for a project. The %
Complete column shows the status of the project at the end of each period. The amount to be amortized
is shown in the Amortization Period column.
Period % Comp. Bills Pay-roll Total costs Amortization Periods
1 2 3 4 5 6
1 25% 1000 160 1160 290 580 348 580 812 1160
2 50% 200 160 360 180 180 108 180 252 360
3 30% 300 160 460 138 230 138 230 322 460
4 50% 250 160 410 205 205 123 205 287 410
5 70% 230 200 430 301 215 129 215 301 430
6 100% 600 180 780 780 390 234 390 546 780
Total 2580 1020 3600 1894 1800 1080 1800 2520 3600
Sometimes when projects are reassessed after they begin, the percentage complete can regress. An
example of this is shown in Period 3 above, where the completion changes to 30%, down from 50% in
Period 2.
To continue this example, the chart below shows the net amount, rather than the total amount, to be
amortized per period.
Amortization Periods Total
1 2 3 4 5 6
Amortized Balance 290 580 348 580 812 1160
Amortized Portion per Period 290 290 (232) 232 232 348 1160
Amortized Balance 180 108 180 252 360
Amortized Portion per Period 180 (72) 72 72 108 360
Amortized Balance 138 230 322 460
Amortized Portion per Period 138 92 92 138 460
Amortized Balance 205 287 410
Amortized Portion per Period 205 82 123 410
Amortized Balance 301 430
Amortized Portion per Period 301 129 430
Amortized Balance 780
Amortized Portion per Period 780 780
Amortization Guide
Foreign Currency Amortization 29
Foreign Currency Amortization

You can amortize the foreign currency amounts rather than the base currency amounts of transactions.
For example, your base currency is USD. You purchase five laptops for your London office and pay for
them in British pounds (GBP.). You want to amortize the prepaid assets in GBP, the foreign currency. You
use a foreign currency amortization schedule to calculate the amortization amounts based on the foreign
currency rather than the base currency.
Note: Foreign currency amortization is available only in NetSuite U.K. editions.
With foreign currency amortization schedules you can:
■ Amortize balances in any transaction currency, including transactions denominated in a currency

other than the functional or base currency of a subsidiary.
■ Create journal entries using the historical transaction exchange rates.
■ Associate foreign currency amortization schedules on vendor bills, bill credits, and journals.
For more information about working with foreign currency amortization and how it differs from standard
amortization, see:
■ Setting Up Foreign Currency Amortization

■ Using Foreign Currency Amortization
■ Foreign Currency Amortization Examples
Setting Up Foreign Currency Amortization

The Allow Foreign Currency Amortization Schedules preference controls whether you can generate
amortization schedules based on foreign currency amounts. You must also have the Amortization and
Multiple Currencies features enabled.
Before enabling the preference for foreign currency amortization, complete the tasks described in Setup
for Amortization to set up the amortization feature.
To enable foreign currency amortization:
1. Go to Setup > Accounting > Preferences > Accounting Preferences.

2. In the Amortization section of the General subtab, check the Allow Foreign Currency
Amortization Schedules box.
3. Click Save.
Using Foreign Currency Amortization

Use the same process to work with foreign currency amortization that you use to amortize expenses in a
single currency. The basic amortization process involves these steps:
Amortization Guide
■ Create templates. For information, see Creating Amortization Templates . .

■ Associate amortization templates with item and expense records. See Configuration for
Amortization and Associating Amortization Templates with Expenses.
■ Generate amortization schedules. Amortization Schedules.
■ Create amortization journal entries. See Generating Amortization Journal Entries. .
■ View amortization reports. See Amortization Reports.
Although the general process is the same, each part of the process has additional elements specific to
foreign currency amortization.
Amortization Templates
The Amortization Template displays the Use Transaction Currency check box. This check box controls
whether the template calculates the amortization schedule amounts in a foreign currency or in the base
currency. You must check this box when creating a foreign currency template to generate amortization
schedules in a foreign currency. You cannot specify a currency when you create a template. The template
always refers the transaction to determine the currency for amortization.
Use a naming convention for amortization templates so you can distinguish foreign currency amortization
templates from standard amortization templates. For example, add the currency code to the template
name, such as Even Periods - USD and Even Periods - Foreign.
If you associate a foreign currency template on a base currency transaction line, it creates an amortization
schedule for the item using the base currency, which is a standard amortization schedule. This has
the same result as if you use an amortization template where the Use Transaction Currency box is not
checked. Depending on your business needs, you may be able to use foreign currency templates to
amortize amounts for both foreign and base currency transactions.
If you check the Use Transaction Currency box for a template and populate the Initial Amount or
Residual fields, the amortization schedule created from the template assumes or uses the currency
of the transaction. For example, on a foreign currency amortization template, you enter 100 in the
Initial Amount field. You associate the template on a transaction recorded in GBP. On the amortization
schedule, the 100 represents 100 GBP.
Foreign Currency Amortization Schedules

The foreign currency amortization schedule displays the base currency and the foreign currency
amortization amount information in the following fields. You can add these fields to your amortization
searches, lists, and reports.
■ Foreign Currency – indicates if the schedule is a foreign currency schedule

■ Currency – indicates the currency used in the schedule to calculate amounts. This is the transaction
currency.
■ Base Amount – the amortization amount converted to the base currency (the foreign currency
amount for the period multiplied by the transaction exchange rate)
■ Amount – the amount to be recognized for a line of the schedule
■ Total Amortized – shows the cumulative amount already recognized on the schedule to date
The currency of the transaction determines the currency for the amortization schedule amounts. The
transaction currency becomes the amortization schedule currency. Amounts to be amortized are shown
in the Amount column. The base amount shows the foreign currency amount for period multiplied by the
transaction exchange rate on the transaction.
Amortization Guide
Note: The total amortization amount in the Base Amount column may be slightly different from
the total base currency amount on the related transaction due to rounding. You may want to
journal out these rounding differences periodically.
Foreign Currency Amortization Journals

Create foreign currency amortization journals the same way you create standard amortization journals.
Foreign currency journals use the exchange rate on the transaction to determine the foreign currency
journal amounts.
NetSuite segregates journals by currency type. You will have, at a minimum, one journal per currency per
currency exchange rate. For example, you have four amortization schedules:
■ Schedule 1 using USD, your base currency

■ Schedule 2 using GBP and transaction exchange rate 2.1
■ Schedule 3 using GBP and transaction exchange rate 2.2
■ Schedule 4 using EUR and transaction exchange rate 1.1
NetSuite creates four amortization journals, one for each amortization schedule.
Note: If Schedule 2 and Schedule 3 in the example use the same exchange rate, then NetSuite
creates only three amortization journals.
Foreign Currency Amortization Reports

You must customize the standard amortization reports to display foreign currency amortization
information. The amortization reports are:
■ Amortization Forecast Summary

■ Amortization Forecast Detail
■ Deferred/Capitalized Expense
To customize amortization reports for foreign currency amortization:
1. Go to the amortization report and click Customize.

2. On the Report Builder (or Financial Report Builder), click Edit Columns.
3. In the Add Fields pane, select Amount (Foreign Currency) and Schedule Currency.
4. In the Report Preview pane, leave the default heading or enter a new heading for each column.
Reorder columns as needed.
5. Click Save.
Foreign Currency Amortization Forecast Reports

The Amortization Forecast reports display the forecasted value of the amounts to be amortized or
the amounts that have already been amortized based on the related amortization schedules. When
it is customized for foreign currency, the Amortization Forecast reports display the foreign currency
amortization amounts and currency in addition to the amortization amount in the base currency.
Amortization Guide
Note: An Amortization Forecast report displays amortization amounts for all currencies.
When the report has amounts in more than one currency, the total amortized amount is not a
meaningful number. Filter the report by currency to view accurate amortization total amounts.
Foreign Currency Deferred/Capitalized Expense Report

The Deferred/Capitalized Expense report displays the total amortized and deferred expenses for a set of
transactions over a period and the recognized portion of those expenses, if any. When it is customized
for foreign currency, the report shows the base amount and foreign currency amounts for Amortized
Expense, Deferred/Capitalized Expense, and Total. The report does not include any revaluation related to
the original transactions or related journals.
■ Amortized Expense Amount – the amortized expense amounts converted to the base currency for
the transaction or transaction line.
■ Amortized Expense Amount (Foreign Currency) – the amortized amount in the foreign currency
related to the amortization journals for the transaction or transaction line. For base currency
transactions with standard amortization schedules, the amounts in this column are the same as
the Amortized Expense Amount column. The sum of this column does not tie to the general ledger
because there may be more than one foreign currency.
■ Deferred/Capitalized Expense Amount – the capitalized expense amounts in the base currency for
all amortization journals related to the transaction or transaction line. The total of this column ties to
the Balance Sheet for the appropriate period.
■ Deferred/Capitalized Expense Amount (Foreign Currency) – the capitalized expense amounts in
the foreign currency related to the amortization journal for that transaction or transaction line. For
base currency transactions with standard amortization schedules, the amounts in this column are the
same as the amounts in the Deferred/Capitalized Expense Amount column. The sum of this column
does not tie to the general ledger because there may be more than one foreign currency.
■ Total Amount – total of amortized and capitalized amounts in the base currency.
■ Total Amount (Foreign Currency) – total of amortized and capitalized amounts in the foreign
currency.
Foreign Currency Amortization Examples

■ Foreign Currency Amortization Schedule (Standard) Example Foreign Currency Amortization Schedule
(Standard) Example
■ Foreign Currency Amortization Schedule (Variable) Example Foreign Currency Amortization Schedule
(Variable) Example
Foreign Currency Amortization Schedule (Standard) Example
The following is an example of amortizing prepaid assets denominated in a foreign currency using a
foreign currency amortization schedule. This example assumes:
■ Foreign currency transactions are recorded in local currency using the exchange rate in effect on the
date the transaction occurred.
■ The company's base currency is GBP.
Amortization Guide
■ The effect of hedging transactions is not considered in the analysis.
Recording the Bill and Payment
Vendor bill (invoice) is recorded and paid at same exchange rate in single accounting period.
On February 1, a bill is received from a USD vendor for services to be rendered from 2/1/2010 to
4/30/2010. The bill is fully paid when received at the same exchange rate. The exchange rate on February
1 is 1.50 USD to 1.00 GBP (600 / 1.50 = 400).
Accounting for bill:
Description/Account Transaction Currency Amount DR (CR) GPB Home Value
Prepaid Services USD 600 400
Accounts Payable USD (600) (400)
Accounting for bill payment:
Description/Account Transaction Currency Amount DrR (CR) GPB Home Value
Accounts Payable USD 600 400
Cash USD (600) (400)
Since the bill is settled, there will be no revaluation of the transaction for A/P purposes at month-end.
Amortization Schedule
Because this prepayment represents services to be rendered evenly over three months, straight-line
amortization method is used. The prepaid asset will be amortized to the Service Expense account.
(Prepaid Services is the deferral/capitalization account).
The following amortization schedule is created:
Period Deferral Destination Transaction Foreign Base Amount**

Account Account Currency Amount*
Feb 2010 Prepaid Services Service Expense USD 200 133.33
Mar 2010 Prepaid Services Service Expense USD 200 133.33
Apr 2010 Prepaid Services Service Expense USD 200 133.33
*The foreign amount is based on the foreign amount of the transaction.
**The base amount is foreign amount divided by the rate on the transaction (200/1.5 = 133.33)
Note: The total amortization amount in the Base Amount column may be slightly different from
the total base currency amount on the related transaction line due to rounding. In this example,
the total transaction base currency amount is $400, but the base currency amount amortized is
$399.99. You may want to journal out these rounding differences periodically
Creation of Amortization Journal Entries
At the end of each period, amortization journal entries are created for the period using historical rates.
Journal posted on February 28, currency rate 1.50 USD to 1.00 GBP (200/1.50 = 133.33):
Amortization Guide
Services Expense USD 200 133.33
Prepaid Services USD (200) (133.33)
Journal posted on March 31, currency rate 1.50 USD to 1.00 GBP (200/1.50 = 133.33):
Service Expense USD 200 133.33
Prepaid Services USD (200) (133.33)
Journal posted on April 30, currency rate 1.50 USD to 1.00 GBP (200/1.50 = 133.33):
Foreign Currency Amortization Schedule (Variable) Example

In this example, the vendor bill (invoice) is recorded and paid at same exchange rate in single accounting
period. The bill represents services that will be completed over several months and tracked as a project.
Expenses is to be amortized based on the percentage of project completion. This example assumes:
■ Foreign currency transactions are recorded in local currency using the exchange rate in effect on the
date the transaction occurred.
■ The company's base currency is GBP.
■ The effect of hedging transactions is not considered in the analysis.
Recording the Bill and Payment
On February 1, a bill is received from a USD vendor for services to be rendered. The bill is fully paid when
received at the same exchange rate. The exchange rate on February 1 is 1.50 USD to 1.00 GBP (600 / 1.50
= 400). The project associated with this bill for computer maintenance is created and associated with this
line on the bill.
Accounting for bill, currency rate, 1.50 USD to 1.00 GBP (600/1.50 = 400):
Accounting for bill payment, currency rate 1.50 USD to 1.00 GBP (600/1.50 = 400):
Accounts Payable USD 600 400
Cash USD (600) (400)
Because the bill is settled, there is no revaluation of the transaction for A/P purposes at month-end.
Amortization Guide
Amortization Schedule
The amortization schedule is created without lines because the amount to amortize is based on the
percentage of project completion and not known at this point.
The project work is completed as follows:
■ February - 25% complete (25% total)

■ March - 50% complete (75% total)
■ April - 25% complete (100% total)
The amortization schedule calculated the following amounts:
Period Deferral Destination Transaction % Amortized Total Amortized Foreign Amount* Base Amount**
Account Account Currency
Feb 2010 Prepaid Services Service Expense USD 25% 25% 150 (25% of 600) 100 (25% of 400)
Mar 2010 Prepaid Services Service Expense USD 50% 75% 300 200
Apr 2010 Prepaid Services Service Expense USD 25% 100% 150 100
*The foreign amount is based on the foreign amount of the transaction.
**The base amount is foreign amount divided by the rate on the transaction (300/1.5 = 200)
Creation of Amortization Journal Entries
At the end of each period, amortization journal entries are created for the period using historical rates.
Journal posted on February 28, currency rate 1.50 USD to 1.00 GBP (200/1.50 = 133.33):
Services Expense USD 150 100
Prepaid Services USD (1500) (100)
Journal posted on March 31, currency rate 1.50 USD to 1.00 GBP (300/1.50 = 200.00):
Service Expense USD 300 200
Prepaid Services USD (300) (200)
Journal posted on April 30, currency rate 1.50 USD to 1.00 GBP (200/1.50 = 133.33):
Accounts Payable USD (150 (100)
Amortization Reports
The following expense amortization reports are available from the Reports > Financial menu and the
Financial group on the Reports page:
Amortization Guide
Amortization Reports 36
■ Amortization Forecast Summary

■ Amortization Forecast Detail
■ Deferred/Capitalized Expense
■ Deferred Expense Waterfall Summary Report
■ Deferred Expense Waterfall Detail Report
■ Deferred Expense Rollforward Report
Amortization Forecast Summary

The Amortization Forecast Summary report shows the total deferred expense amounts at the transaction
level. When you set the Column report footer to Accounting Period, expense amounts to be amortized are
displayed for each period of the date range you select.
You can use this report to view the total deferred expense for each transaction and when that expense is
scheduled to be recognized.
Note: Amortization reports can only be run by period. If you set the Report by Period
preference to Never, the setting is ignored when running this report.
You must have the Reports permission Amortization Reports to view this report.
For information about using Report Builder to customize this report, see the help topic Report
Customization.
To view this report:
1. Go to Reports > Financial > Amortization Forecast.

2. Select a value in the Period filter.
The From and To values update automatically.
3. Use these additional filters as needed:
■ If you have a OneWorld account, select a value in the Subsidiary Context filter to access
different subsidiaries.
■ If you are using multi-book accounting, select a value in the Accounting Book filter to access
different accounting books.
■ In the Column list, select Accounting Period to add columns showing the amounts planned for
each period in your date range.
■ To show forecast amounts, clear the Is Recognized box. If the Is Recognized box is not visible,
click to show the box.
4. Click Refresh to apply your filters.
Amortization Forecast Detail

The Amortization Forecast Detail report shows the deferred expense amounts at the line item level. When
you set the Column report footer to Accounting Period, expense amounts to be amortized are displayed
for each period of the date range you select.
You can use this report to view the total deferred expense at the line item level and when that expense is
scheduled to be recognized.
Amortization Guide
Customization.
To view this report:
1. Go to Reports > Financial > Amortization Forecast > Detail.

2. Select a value in the Period filter.
The From and To values update automatically.
3. Use these additional filters as needed:
■ If you have a OneWorld account, select a value in the Subsidiary Context filter to access
different subsidiaries.
■ If you are using multi-book accounting, select a value in the Accounting Book filter to access
different accounting books.
■ In the Column list, select Accounting Period to add columns showing the amounts planned for
each period in your date range.
■ To show forecast amounts, clear the Is Recognized box. If the Is Recognized box is not visible,
click to show the box.
4. Click Refresh to apply your filters.
Deferred/Capitalized Expense
Use the Deferred/Capitalized Expense report to view the total deferred and amortized expenses for a set
of transactions over a certain period and to see the recognized portion of those expenses, if any.
The balances shown are based on the reporting dates selected and the amortization schedules for the
account. Schedule details are shown at the line-level rather than at the transaction-level.
The Deferred/Capitalized Expense report includes the following:
■ Amortized Expense – the total amortized amount on the schedule

■ Deferred/Capitalized Expense – the remaining deferred balance on the schedule
From each transaction line on the report you can drill down to the associated transaction, vendor record,
and the amortization schedule.
Customization.
To see a Deferred/Capitalized Expense report:

Go to Reports > Financial > Deferred/Capitalized Expense.
Amortization Guide
A message appears indicating that your report is loading. The status bar in the footer of the report
indicates the progress as your report loads. You can click Cancel Report next to the status bar to stop the
report from loading.
Amortization Guide

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Amortization Guide

April 26, 2023

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Amortization: Expense Recognition

NetSuite provides amortization reports. See Amortization Reports.

Setup for Amortization

■ Enabling the Amortization Feature

Enabling the Amortization Feature

Setting Amortization Preferences

To set the amortization accounting preferences:

1. Go to Setup > Accounting > Accounting Preferences.

Enabling Auto-Numbered Amortization Schedules

To enable auto-numbering for revenue recognition schedules:

1. Go to Setup > Company > Setup Tasks > Auto-Generated Numbers.

Specifying Deferral Accounts for Amortization

Specifying a Deferral Account on an Amortization Template

Specifying a Deferral Account on an Item Record

■ Non-inventory Item for Purchase/Resale

To specify the deferral account on an item record:

Specifying a Deferral Account on an Expense Account

To set up a general ledger account for amortization expense:

1. Go to Lists > Accounting > Accounts.

Amortization Template Term Reference

■ Amortization Template Types

Amortization Template Types

Straight-Line Amortization Methods

Custom Amortization Methods

For example, a custom schedule may be defined as:

Amortization Term Source

Amortization Period Offset and Start Offset

■ Method = Straight-line, by even periods

This results in the following amortization schedule:

Period Amortization Deferral Debit Target Credit Contra Credit Contra

2 100 1300 100 100 100

... ... ... ... ... ...

12 100 200 100 100 1200

Note: A residual amount entered on a transaction overrides a residual amount entered on an

Amortization Initial Amount

■ Initial amount = 25%, or $300.

Straight-Line Amortization Method Examples

■ Amortization start date 20 August

■ Amortization end date 19 December of the same year

■ Straight-line, by even periods

Straight-line, by even periods

Straight-line, prorate first & last period

■ The first period is prorated for 20 August through 31 August, or 12 days.

Period Expense Calculation

August $39.34 12 ÷122 × $400 = $39.45

September $99.45 $298.35 ÷ 3 = $99.45

October $99.45 $298.35 ÷ 3 = $99.45

Period Expense Calculation

November $99.45 $298.35 ÷ 3 = $99.45

December $62.31 19 ÷122 × $400 = $62.31

Straight-line, using exact days

Straight-line, prorate first & last period (period-rate)

Period Note Calculation Expense

Period Note Calculation Expense