Christopher Schröder May 15, 2012:

I stand by my comments... Cost is used by the IASB in IAS and IFRS, is used by the EU, is 100% standard in the UK, is even used in FAR, and I still believe it is standard in the US (see Microsoft's accounts for example). I got not a single Google hit on "ending accumulated acquisition cost", and all 30 hits on "closing accumulated acquisition cost" were translations from Swedish.

Deane Goltermann May 15, 2012:

What a term! Now that the dust has settled, will first thank Åsa for good support, but acknowledge the basis for using just 'cost' -- HM Treasury wants it that way, and my PWC and Deloitte guides tend that way based, as Chris indicates, on the IAS standards and ... Having just sweated through an AR for a Swed gov't agency where ESV lays down the guidelines and where they have their own views on the subject -- that is, 'acquisition cost' and even 'acquisition value', I sort of have it this way in my head. So this isn't just skandi-translatorese. Naturally if you're doing a private business, you need to go for the term that suits your target audience. BTW this term was a serious prob in a 3-year project I worked on in the mid-90s where the CEO had to get involved and say 'we'll do it the American way'. Am perhaps a little biased there, while much has happened since...

Åsa Schoening May 15, 2012:

Acquisition cost is standard term in English Good point; "ending" obviously works if you use "starting," although I personally prefer "opening" and "closing." I also agree that "cost of acquisition," which is OK on its own, quickly gets awkward when qualified in numerous ways and that "acquisition cost" therefore is a better choice here. "Acquisition cost" is standard and has nothing to do with translation into English from Swedish or any other language. There are different contexts, however, see e.g. http://www.investopedia.com/terms/a/acquisition-cost.asp#axz... http://accounting-financial-tax.com/2009/02/determining-the-...

Deane Goltermann May 15, 2012:

BTW There are several ways to say -opening/closing vs. starting/ending. including simply using the date 'At Jan1 2011' -- 'At Dec 31, 2011'