What does capitalising expenses do to a balance sheet?

Capitalising expenses involves recording a cost as an asset on the balance sheet rather than as an immediate expense on the income statement. This approach typically applies to expenditures that are expected to provide future economic benefits, such as purchasing equipment or property. When a business capitalises an expense, the amount is added to the asset section of the balance sheet, reflecting its potential to generate revenue over time.

As a result, this practice increases the total value of assets on the balance sheet, which can positively impact the company's financial ratios and overall financial position. It allows the business to spread the cost of the asset over its useful life through depreciation or amortisation, rather than incurring a lump sum expense in the current period. This accounting treatment aligns the costs with the revenues they help generate.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the effects of capitalising expenses. For instance, capitalising does not inherently reduce liabilities or increase operating expenses; instead, it shifts the recognition of expense from the income statement to the balance sheet. Additionally, while capitalising can affect net profit by potentially deferring expense recognition, it does not immediately decrease overall profits as it affects the recognition in future periods.