Recognizing Employees as Assets

by Nathan Holgate
(Chicago, Illinois)

Q: You mentioned first that employees could sometimes be considered assets. Because you can't assign a value to them, though, they are not included in assets in accounting? Are there times when they would be quantified and included as assets?

A: Great question Nathan. The only example I can think of where this could be done, funnily enough, would be in professional sports - and specifically team sports - where each player can be bought and sold for a sum of money. For example soccer teams, baseball, basketball, hockey, rugby teams, etc.

Does anyone know for sure if these "employees" are listed as assets on the balance sheet in accounting for sports teams?

Can anyone provide other examples of employees as assets? Comments are welcome.