成本與管理會計學

Below are the depreciation policies disclosed in the financial statement footnotes of three semiconductor manufacturers.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC):

Depreciation is recognized so as to write off the cost of the assets less their residual values over their useful lives, and it is computed using the straight-line method mainly over the following estimated useful lives: land improvements - 20 years; buildings (assets used by the Company and assets subject to operating leases) - 10 to 20 years; machinery and equipment (assets used by the Company and assets subject to operating leases) - 5 years; and office equipment - 5 years. The estimated useful lives, residual values and depreciation method are reviewed at the end of each reporting period, with the effect of any changes in estimates accounted for on a prospective basis. Land is not depreciated.

United Microelectronics Corporation (UMC):

Depreciation is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives. A significant part of an item of property, plant and equipment which has a different useful life from the remainder of the item is depreciated separately. The depreciation methods, useful lives and residual values for the assets are reviewed at each fiscal year end, and the changes from the previous estimation are recorded as changes in accounting estimates. Except for land, which is not depreciated, the depreciation of the assets is calculated mainly over the following estimated useful lives: buildings - 20 to 56 years; machinery and equipment - 6 years; transportation equipment - 6 years; furniture and fixtures - 6 years; leasehold improvement - the shorter of lease terms or useful lives.

Intel Corporation:

We compute depreciation using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of assets......... Our depreciable property, plant, and equipment assets are depreciated over the following estimated useful lives: machinery and equipment, 3 to 8 years; and buildings, 10 to 25 years..........When we determine that the useful lives of assets are shorter or longer than we had originally estimated, we adjust the rate of depreciation to reflect the assets' revised useful lives. Effective January 2023, the estimated useful lives of certain machinery and equipment in our wafer fabrication facilities were increased from 5 to 8 years. This change in estimate was applied prospectively beginning in the first quarter of 2023.

Required:

From a cost and management accounting perspective, discuss the economic and managerial implications of these depreciation policy choices. (You are not asked to explain accounting standards. You may draw on any cost or management accounting concepts you consider appropriate. Your answer should be presented in clearly structured bullet points or numbered paragraphs, with each point developing a distinct line of reasoning. Your answer will be graded based on the depth, coherence, and relevance of your analysis.)