Many a company will need to decide whether it wishes to lease the equipment in the form of a capital lease ( $10.00 buyout), or use an operating lease (10% buyout); they also should know the difference between these two forms of financing. There are a number of differences involved when considering either form, particularly how the leased asset is accounted for. One must consider the company's credit rating, how long the equipment is going to last, and when it will become obsolete. Taking into consideration all of these factors should help in deciding the better option for each company.

While accounting with an operating lease, it will be treated as an out and out expense and will find mention in the income statement and it will not impact the ratio of debt to worth, or any other balance sheet ratios that will have any significant impact on the creditworthiness of your company or business. As a long term option, your business may end up paying more for this form of lease rather than purchasing the equipment or securing under a capital lease, but it is a viable economical option in the short term.

The capital lease option is one in which your company or business will be accounting for equipment that is being leased as if it were purchased. When the term of the lease expires, your company would most likely have to a pay a nominal amount to get the ownership of the equipment transferred into your company or business name.

As far as accounting for capital lease option is concerned, the lease must per force be capitalized on the balance sheet, and it will directly impact your company in a number of ways including liabilities over an extended period of time as well as on assets like bank loans. The ease with which your business can obtain a capital lease as well as the low amount of start-up capital that is required makes the capital lease an attractive option.

By classifying a lease as either capital or operating lease, you will be able to determine how payments for the lease will be treated in the financial statements. The main point of difference between operating leasing and capital leasing is how the asset is owned as well as how to depreciate it. The operating lease involves ownership of the asset by the financial institution which must then allow for its depreciation. On the other hand, with capital leasing, the asset is the property of your company or business, and thus is much like a cash purchase transaction.

Operating leases are not shown in your balance sheet, while the capital lease means that assets are the property of your company or business, and will thus be shown in your accounting books. Your company or business should remember that it is not who owns the asset that will make a significant difference to your company's profitability and prosperity, but its proper use that will ultimately make a profit and grow your company's earnings.