purchase method

Purchase method

Accounting for an acquisition using market value for the consolidation of the two entities' net assets on the balance sheet. Generally, depreciation/amortization will increase for this method (due to the creation of goodwill) compared to the pooling method resulting in lower net income.

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purchase method

A method of accounting for a merger or combination in which one firm is considered to have purchased the assets of the other firm. If the price paid for the acquired firm exceeds the market value of the acquired firm's assets, the difference is recorded as goodwill on the acquiring firm's balance sheet. The goodwill must be written off over a period of years. Compare pooling of interests.