See Also:
Depreciation
Asset Market Value vs Asset Book Value
Fixed Asset Turnover Analysis
Research and Development
Straight-Line Depreciation

Accretion Definition

Accretion is the increase through time of a natural asset like land or a financial asset. The increases occur through growth and multiplication like through the following:

• Dividends and interest for financial assets,
• The increase in livestock, trees, or some other natural growth for a natural asset

Meaning

Businesses often use this type of accounting for the development of assets in the form of an accretion expense, or an increase in the present value as the asset draws closer to its final future value. It is also used in Mergers and Acquisitions (M&A) when discussing the earnings per share for the company using pro forma statements after the transaction takes place. In other words, these accounts for the synergies which are likely to be realized. In addition, it will feed directly into the combined entity’s bottom line. Accretion real estate is simply the development of land through the growth and development of land. This can be through the development of a shopping center or something simple like the growth of livestock through breeding.