Accounting Insolvency

What Does Accounting Insolvency Mean?
A situation where the value of a company's liabilities exceeds its assets. Accounting insolvency looks only at the firm's balance sheet, deeming a company "insolvent on the books" when its net worth appears negative.

Investopedia explains Accounting Insolvency
Accounting insolvency is a different approach to standard insolvency. The latter involves a firm missing or being unable to make a debt-servicing payment, while the former examines the firm's balance sheet.

When a firm appears to be insolvent on the books, it is likely the debtholders will force a response. The company may attempt to restructure the business to alleviate its debt obligations, or be placed in bankruptcy by the debtholders.

Related Terms

Balance Sheet
Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy Risk
Insolvency
Net Worth
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