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What is a Finance Lease?
A finance lease, also referred to as a capital lease or sales lease, is a type of commercial lease in which a finance company is the legal owner of an asset, and the user rents the asset for an agreed-upon period of time. In this legal contract, the leasing company, usually the finance company, is called the lessor, and the user of the asset is called the lessee.
When a lessee enters into this agreement, they have operating control over the asset. They take responsibility for all the risks and rewards associated with the ownership of the asset. For accounting purposes, the lease provides the lessee with economic characters of ownership of the asset.
The lessee will record the asset as a fixed asset in their general ledger. In this situation, the lessee will record the interest of the lease payment as an expense.
To be classified as a finance lease under US GAAP, the rental contract must meet at least one of the following requirements:
- The present value of the lease rentals is equal to or greater than the fair market value of the asset
- The lease term is more than 75% of the leased asset’s useful life
- The option to purchase the leased asset at a lower price than the fair value of the leased asset is given to the lessee.
- The legal ownership of the leased asset transfers from the lessor to the lessee at the end of the lease.
In an IFRS jurisdiction, however, a lease is classified as a finance lease if all of the following basic criteria are met:
- Throughout the duration of the lease period, the lessor remains the legal owner of the asset
- The risk and rewards related to leased assets are transferred to the lessee
- Legal ownership of leased asset transfers from the lessor to the lessee after the end of the lease.
For more information about finance leases and their impact on a company’s accounting, click here.
How a Finance Lease Works
A finance lease is essentially a commercial rental agreement where the following steps take place:
Step 1: The lessee selects an asset that they require for a business.
Step 2: The lessor, usually a finance company, purchases the asset.
Step 3: The lessor and lessee enter into a legal contract in which the lessee will have use of the asset during the agreed upon lease.
Step 4: The lessee makes a series of payments for the use of the asset.
Step 5: The lessor recovers the cost of the asset plus interest.
Step 6: At the end of the lease agreement, the lessee has the option to acquire ownership of the asset.
For accounting purposes, a finance lease can have significant impacts on a company’s financial statements. These types of leases are viewed as ownership rather than a rental, so they influence interest expenses, depreciation expenses, assets, and liabilities.
Due to a finance lease being capitalized, a company’s balance sheet will reflect an increase in assets and liabilities but working capital will remain the same. The debt and equity ratio, however, will increase.
The expenses related to a finance lease will be split between interest expenses and principal value. This is similar to a bond or a loan. Part of the payments will be reported under operating cash flow, and the other part will be reported under financing cash flow. This causes operating cash flow to increase when a company is involved in a finance lease.
What’s Included in a Finance Lease
Finance leases will vary based on the specific needs of both the lessor and the lessee. Depending on the asset being leased, the price of the asset, and the term of the agreement, a finance lease will have to be tailored to the individuals involved.
Although these agreements will differ, it is common to find the following information in most finance leases:
- Names of both parties involved in the lease and designation as the lessor and the lessee
- Asset to be leased
- The total price of the asset
- The economic life of the asset
- Interest rate
- Principal and interest payment schedule
- Associated penalties and fees
This lease document can be very complicated, and it is best to consult with a business lawyer or financial services lawyer who can help ensure that the agreement is drafted correctly and includes all pertinent information.
Advantages and Disadvantages of a Finance Lease
Finance leases offer companies both advantages and disadvantages as far as costs, liabilities, and accounting.
Some advantages are as follows:
- The Lessee is able to use a needed asset without purchasing it
- Lease financing is usually less expensive than other types of financing options
- A lessee is able to spread payments out over several years
- There is no burden of a lump-sum cost for an asset
- The lessee claims depreciation on the leased asset reducing tax liability
- Even if the asset rises in price, the lessee only has to pay the installments already agreed upon
- The lessee retains the right to purchase the asset at the end of the lease period, usually at a bargain rate
Some limitations or disadvantages of a bargain lease include the following:
- The lessee is responsible for all maintenance or repairs on the asset
- The lessee is liable for all risks involved with the asset
- The lessee cannot cancel a finance lease
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Finance Lease vs. Operating Lease
Both operating leases and finance leases allow a company to rent and use an asset. However, the main difference is that under a finance lease, the lessee conveys ownership of the asset. Under an operating lease, the lessee does not get the benefits of ownership rights for accounting purposes.
Installment payments for assets leased under an operating agreement are recognized as a rent expense on a balance sheet. They are recorded in financial statements under the cost of sales or operating expenses. This is different from a finance lease, where the payments for the leased asset are recorded as an amortization expense and interest expense.
Lessees involved in an operating lease are not liable for the same risks as lessees involved in a finance lease. In an operating lease, the lessee is simply renting the asset and only has the right to use. This means that the lessor retains all of the risks and benefits associated with the asset. In addition, the lessor is responsible for all maintenance or repair costs.
To read more about the similarities and differences between finance leases and operating leases, check out this article.
Examples of Finance Leases
Finance leases can be found in a wide variety of industries and are used primarily when a company requires an expensive piece of equipment but wants to preserve its cash flow and avoid paying a large lump sum for the required equipment.
Some examples of assets that are leased through finance leases include:
- Aircraft
- Land
- Buildings
- Plant equipment
- Heavy machinery
- Ships
- Diesel engines
- Patents
Get Help with a Finance Lease
Do you have questions about finance leases and want to speak to an expert? Post a project on ContractsCounsel today and receive bids from business lawyers and finance lawyers who specialize in finance lease agreements.
Meet some of our Finance Lease Lawyers
Jason H.
Jason has been providing legal insight and business expertise since 2001. He is admitted to both the Virginia Bar and the Texas State Bar, and also proud of his membership to the Fellowship of Ministers and Churches. Having served many people, companies and organizations with legal and business needs, his peers and clients know him to be a high-performing and skilled attorney who genuinely cares about his clients. In addition to being a trusted legal advisor, he is a keen business advisor for executive leadership and senior leadership teams on corporate legal and regulatory matters. His personal mission is to take a genuine interest in his clients, and serve as a primary resource to them.
Jeremiah C.
Creative, results driven business & technology executive with 24 years of experience (15+ as a business/corporate lawyer). A problem solver with a passion for business, technology, and law. I bring a thorough understanding of the intersection of the law and business needs to any endeavor, having founded multiple startups myself with successful exits. I provide professional business and legal consulting. Throughout my career I've represented a number large corporations (including some of the top Fortune 500 companies) but the vast majority of my clients these days are startups and small businesses. Having represented hundreds of successful crowdfunded startups, I'm one of the most well known attorneys for startups seeking CF funds. I hold a Juris Doctor degree with a focus on Business/Corporate Law, a Master of Business Administration degree in Entrepreneurship, A Master of Education degree and dual Bachelor of Science degrees. I look forward to working with any parties that have a need for my skill sets.
Jane C.
Skilled in the details of complex corporate transactions, I have 15 years experience working with entrepreneurs and businesses to plan and grow for the future. Clients trust me because of the practical guided advice I provide. No deal is too small or complex for me to handle.
Nicholas M.
Nicholas Matlach is a cybersecurity expert (CISSP) and an attorney who is dedicated to helping small businesses succeed. He is a client-focused professional who has a deep understanding of the challenges that small businesses face in the digital age. He also provides legal counsel to small businesses on a variety of issues, including formation, intellectual property, contracts, and employment law.
May 30, 2023
Jocelyne U.
Jocelyne Uy graduated from law school in 2002 where she began her career in insurance defense where she practiced a wide range of issues relating to insurance policies and claims. Identifying a need for representation for those working cross border, Jocelyne understood the unique interplay of the laws of Canada and the U.S. and started her first firm in Michigan focusing on Canadian American immigration and tax law. Jocelyne and her partner realize that Nevada residents continuously face challenges in finding affordable and accessible representation to assist with their debt issues. Because of these challenges and continuous shifting economy, they are committed to assisting anyone who finds themselves struggling to handle the debt and credit cycle that often feels hopeless and endless. Jocelyne's firm has assisted clients in post-COVID financial crisis ranging from credit card debt, student loan debt, and COVID unemployment repayment hearings.
June 2, 2023
Steven W.
Attorney Steven Wax is ardent about helping his clients. Whether creating personalized estate plans, drafting and negotiating contracts or other legal matters. Steven’s goal is to assist and counsel his clients to protect them and their loved ones. Steven grew up on Long Island, New York. He attended the University of Massachusetts in Amherst earning a BS in Sport Management. He earned his paralegal certificate at Duke University and earned his Juris Doctorate from North Carolina Central University School of Law in Durham, NC. Steven has an extensive legal career in the life science sector, working for some of the world’s largest Contract Research Organizations since 2013. Steven has negotiated a broad range of contracts for both businesses and individuals. Steven participated in the NCCU Elder Law Project, where he prepared wills, durable powers of attorney, living wills, and health care powers of attorneys for low/fixed income clients in Durham and surrounding counties. Steven finds meaningful ways to share his skills and passion with his community. Steven volunteers his time to Wills for Heroes, which provides no-cost estate planning documents to first responders and their families, through the NC Bar Foundation.
June 6, 2023
William W.
My name is Will, and I'm the Principal Attorney at Accelerate Law STL, a startup attorney who helps entrepreneurs and small businesses with everything from formation to IPO. Whether your small to mid-sized business needs help drafting or reviewing contracts, securing intellectual property, complying with government regulations, or even streamlining your business' internal policies, I'm prepared to help.
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