Kasequivalenten

Kasequivalenten, or cash equivalents, are short-term, highly liquid investments that are readily convertible to known amounts of cash and that present an insignificant risk of changes in value. They are considered part of an entity’s liquidity management and are typically reported together with cash on the balance sheet.

A key criterion for kas-equivalenten is their original maturity. They are usually investments with maturities of three months or less from the date of acquisition, and they must be readily convertible to a fixed amount of cash. They should also be subject to minimal risk of changes in value and not be restricted in their use. Because of these characteristics, they are viewed as nearly as liquid as cash itself.

Common examples include treasury bills, short-term government securities, commercial paper, money market funds, and certificates of deposit with very short maturities. Items with longer maturities, equities, long-term debt instruments, or assets with significant interest-rate or credit risk are generally not considered kas-equivalenten. Restricted cash (cash set aside for specific purposes) is typically excluded from cash equivalents until the restrictions lapse.

In financial reporting, kas-equivalenten are presented as current assets and are often disclosed together with cash as “cash and cash equivalents.” They are usually measured at fair value or amortized cost, depending on the instrument and applicable accounting standards (for example, IFRS or GAAP).

Understanding kas-equivalenten helps assess an organization’s immediate liquidity and its ability to meet short-term obligations without liquidating longer-term assets.