HFMA Certified Specialist Accounting and Finance (CSAF) Practice Test

An operating lease is recognized by third parties as an allowable cost because it is structured differently from other types of leases, such as capital or finance leases. In an operating lease, the lessee does not assume the risks and rewards of ownership. Instead, the lease payments are considered rental expenses and are typically fully deductible in the period they are incurred. This recognition is important for financial statements and tax purposes since it impacts the lessee's reported expenses and liabilities.

Operating leases also tend to have shorter terms than capital leases, which can make them more flexible for businesses. This characteristic often aligns with the desires of third parties, such as lenders or investors, who prefer to see commitments that do not unduly burden an organization with long-term obligations. In contrast, capital leases (or finance leases) are viewed differently because they are recorded on the balance sheet as assets and liabilities, reflecting ownership and associated depreciation and interest expense, making them less favorable as an allowable cost from the perspective of third parties.