Noun

assets

1. Plural form of asset.
2. (finance) Any property or object of value that one possesses, usually considered as applicable to the payment of one's debts.

   His assets are much greater than his liabilities.

3. (law) Sufficient estate; property sufficient in the hands of an executor or heir to pay the debts or legacies of the testator or ancestor to satisfy claims against it.
4. Any goods or property properly available for the payment of a bankrupt's or a deceased person's obligations or debts.

In business and accounting, assets are economic resources owned by business or company. Any property or object of value that one possesses, usually considered as applicable to the payment of one's debts is considered an asset. Simplistically stated, assets are things of value that can be readily converted into cash. The balance sheet of a firm records the monetary value of the assets owned by the firm. It is money and other valuables belonging to an individual or business. Two major asset classes are tangible assets and intangible assets. Tangible assets contain various subclasses, including current assets and fixed assets. Current assets include inventory, while fixed assets include such items as buildings and equipment. Intangible assets are nonphysical resources and rights that have a value to the firm because they give the firm some kind of advantage in the market place. Examples of intangible assets are goodwill, copyrights, trademarks, patents and computer programs, and financial assets, including such items as accounts receivable, bonds and stocks.