Depreciation Data Conversion—BNA Fixed Assets Desktop to Fixed Assets CS
This application converts your depreciation data from BNA Fixed Assets™ Desktop. You can then import this data into Fixed Assets CS® version 2020.1 and later.
note
For purposes of this document and the conversion, BNA Fixed Assets DesktopPro is the same as BNA Fixed Assets Desktop.
This conversion doesn't change any of your BNA Fixed Assets Desktop client data.
important
To avoid delays in converting your data, don't install any updates to your previous application.
Review information before the data conversion
Before you start this conversion, do the following:
Identify the clients to be converted and note their client IDs and file names in BNA Fixed Assets Desktop.
Identify the client IDs you'll use in Fixed Assets CS. If you'll integrate your depreciation client data with UltraTax CS® and/or Accounting CS™, the client IDs need to match.
Note the drive and path where the BNA Fixed Assets Desktop client data resides.
Note the entity type of the client (I = Individual, C = C Corporation, S = S Corporation, P = Partnership, and so on).
Note the current-year beginning and ending dates (found in the Basic Information tab in the Client Properties screen).
Before you convert your client data, verify that the current depreciation has been calculated for all of the client’s assets in BNA Fixed Assets Desktop.
Create conversion files from BNA Fixed Assets Desktop data files—Step 1 create the export file
Open the BNA Fixed Assets Desktop program.
Open the BNA Fixed Assets client to be converted.
With the client open, select
Export to BNAFA Web
from the Asset menu.
Go to
Name
and enter a client ID then select
Next
. Also, record this ID as you'll need the ID in the “Create the conversion import file” procedure.
Select
Browse
, enter the same client ID you used in the previous step in the File name field, then select
Save
.
Note the data path and file name that show in the File name field, then select
Next
. This information is used in the “Create the conversion import file” procedure.
Select
Next
.
Select
Finish
to create the export file
note
A client ID can be any alphanumeric characters and should be unique. Examples include the FEIN, company acronym, or company name.
Create conversion files from BNA Fixed Assets Desktop data files—Step 2 create the conversion file
To start the CS Conversions application, double-click
CS Data Conversions
on your desktop.
note
If you didn't install the shortcut, select
Start
on the Windows taskbar then select
All Programs
,
CS Professional Suite
, then
CS Data Conversions
.
Go to Conversion Type and select
Depreciation
.
Go to Competitor and select
BNA Fixed Assets Desktop
.
Go to the Input Data Folder and select
Browse
to navigate to the data path used in step 6 of the procedure to create the export file.
Select
Start
to start the conversion program.
In the client list, select the client you want to convert then select
OK
.
The client’s data is converted and a Client Data Transfer Report is prepared. When the process is complete, select
OK
.
To process another client, repeat steps 5 through 7.
To import the converted data into Fixed Assets CS, select
Close
and then go to the “Import the conversion file into Fixed Assets CS” section.
note
If the first 11 characters of the file name are identical for 2 or more clients, you'll need to complete the entire conversion process for each client before you go to the next client. You'll need to complete the “Import the conversion file into Fixed Assets CS” and “Create the export file” procedures before you create the export file in BNA Fixed Assets Desktop for another client with the same first 11 characters in the file name. If you don't complete the entire conversion process for each of these clients, the conversion program will overwrite the Client Data Transfer Reports.
Import the conversion file into Fixed Assets CS
Before you start the import procedure, review the converted items and items not converted lists below. These lists describe all known exceptions during the conversion from BNA Fixed Assets Desktop to Fixed Assets CS.
Double-click
Fixed Assets CS
on your desktop to start the program. If you didn't install the shortcut, select
Start
on the Windows taskbar then
All Programs
,
CS Professional Suite
,
Fixed Assets CS
.
Select
File
then
New Client
to create a new client in Fixed Assets CS.
note
If applicable, you'll need to complete the
Current fiscal year end
and
Short years
fields in the New Client window exactly as the information was entered in BNA Fixed Assets Desktop to ensure that the processing periods and depreciation calculation in the 2 applications match.
Select
Utilities
,
Import Asset Data
, then
ASCII file
. If the path specified in the
Location of import
file field isn't the location of your BNA Fixed Assets Desktop client data, select
Change Location
and go to the correct location.
Enter the name of the conversion file you want to import or select the dropdown for a list of conversion files that are available in the specified location. The name of the conversion file is in the
XXXXXXXXXXX.DSW
format, where
XXXXXXXXXXX
is the client’s file name from BNA Fixed Assets Desktop.
note
To limit the number of files that show, select
Only include files with DSW extensions
. The conversion program truncates file names longer than 11 characters.
Select
Import
to transfer the files.
When the import is complete, select
Done
.
Repeat steps 2 through 6 for each client you’ve created a conversion file for. For any client whose conversion file hasn't yet been created, repeat the 2 steps to create conversion files from BNA Fixed Assets Desktop (create export file and create conversion file).
Converted items—Known exceptions
The following list of converted items describe known exceptions when you convert the BNA Fixed Assets Desktop data to Fixed Assets CS. This list also shows differences between the 2 applications and any data modifications that may be required in Fixed Assets CS after the conversion is complete.
Converted items—Activity
Assets for a client whose activity is Form 8829 or Depletion convert to a Misc activity. You'll need to assign the assets to the correct form or schedule after the assets are imported into Fixed Assets CS.
Converted items—Treatments
The following table describes how the method type entered in BNA Fixed Assets Desktop converts into Fixed Assets CS as a treatment.
Method Type in BNA Fixed Assets Desktop
Treatment converted to Fixed Assets CS
Federal Tax
Tax
Federal Tax — AMT
AMT
Federal Tax — ACE
Other/ACE
GAAP
Book
Federal Tax — E&P
E & P
The New Parent and Child Books treatments will convert and be added to the client data in Fixed Assets CS.
note
Treatment descriptions that exceed 6 characters are truncated
Converted items—Methods
The Remaining Bal / Remaining Life and No Depreciation methods in BNA Fixed Assets Desktop convert to Fixed Assets CS as the Memo method.
Fixed Assets CS doesn't have an option for a declining-balance 175% method. Assets that used this method will convert with the declining-balance 200% method. To continue depreciating the assets using 175% declining balance, create a custom method of depreciation in Fixed Assets CS.
Converted items—Asset life
In BNA Fixed Assets Desktop, you could enter any number in the
Life
field for
Property Type
,
Placed In Service Date
, and
Method
combinations; with Fixed Assets CS, you can enter only certain lives based on the type of property. For lives that are available in both BNA Fixed Assets Desktop and Fixed Assets CS, the converted method and life are the same as the method and life you entered in BNA Fixed Assets Desktop. For any lives that are available in BNA Fixed Assets Desktop but aren't available in Fixed Assets CS, the conversion application converts these assets using the following table. You may need to manually change this life by accessing the Depreciation tab and entering the proper life for any asset with a life that's not available in Fixed Assets CS.
Life entered in BNA Fixed Assets Desktop
MACRS class life converted to Fixed Assets CS
4 years or less
3 year property
More than 4 years but less than or equal to 9.5
5 year property
More than 9.5 years but less than or equal to 15
7 year property
More than 15 years but less than 16
10 year property
More than 16 years but less than 20
15 year property
22 year Indian Nonresidential
39 year property
More than 39 years but less than 40
31.5 or 39 year property
Converted items—Alternative Depreciation System (ADS) method
BNA Fixed Assets Desktop allows you to depreciate an asset using the Alternative Depreciation System code AD. BNA Fixed Assets Desktop requires that you enter the ADS life used to depreciate the asset instead of the class life of the asset. In Fixed Assets CS, you'll need to enter both the class life and ADS life to depreciate an asset. Fixed Assets CS uses the class life for the grouping and reporting of assets on Form 4562 and other reports for ADS assets.
The following table specifies how the conversion application determines the class life of an asset based on the ADS life you entered in BNA Fixed Assets Desktop.
note
This table represents personal property only.
ADS life entered in BNA Fixed Assets Desktop
MACRS class life converted to Fixed Assets CS
4 years or less
3 year property
More than 4 years but less than 10
5 year property
10 years or more but less than 16
7 year property
16 years or more but less than 20
14 year property
20 years or more but less than 25
20 year property
Converted items—Alternative Depreciation System, code ASL – MACRS Real
Asset Keeper Pro doesn't make a distinction between Non-Residential Real Property and Residential Rental Property. Assets that had an ASL – MACRS Real method and a life of 40 in Asset Keeper Pro are converted as follows:
If the asset was acquired before May 13, 1993, the asset converts to Fixed Assets CS with a life of 31.5.
If the asset was acquired after May 12, 1993, the asset converts to Fixed Assets CS with a life of 39.
Converted items—BNA Fixed Assets Desktop straight-line AS
When you use this method, in BNA Fixed Assets Desktop, you had to enter the recovery class life used to depreciate the asset instead of the class life of the asset. In Fixed Assets CS, you'll need to enter both the class life and recovery class life to depreciate an asset. Fixed Assets CS uses the class life for the grouping and reporting of assets on Form 4562 and other reports for ADS assets.
The following table specifies how the conversion determines the class life of an asset based on the ADS life you entered in BNA Fixed Assets Desktop.
Recovery class life entered in BNA Fixed Assets Desktop
ACRS class life converted to Fixed Assets CS
3 years
3 year property
5 years
5 year property
10 years
10 year property
12 years
5 year property
15 years
15 year property
18 years
18 year property
19 years
19 year property
25 years
5 year property
35 years
15 year property
45 years
15 year property
All others
5 year property
note
To manually change the life for an asset, select the proper life for each asset in the Depreciation tab.
Converted items—Asset dispositions
The information located in the BNA Fixed Assets Desktop depreciation wizard in BNA Fixed Assets Desktop isn't converted. The date the asset was disposed on converts. The asset converts with a disposal method of Sold / Scrapped and a property type of 1245 – Trade or business property. To manually enter or update the information, enter the proper information for the asset in the Disposal tab in Fixed Assets CS.
note
Due to differences in BNA Fixed Assets Desktop and Fixed Assets CS, you'll need to delete assets that were disposed of in a prior year from Fixed Assets CS after you convert the data. The Import window shows a description of “Date of disposal must be within the current fiscal year” for these assets.
Converted items—Inactive assets
Assets that don't have the
Active
checkbox marked in BNA Fixed Assets Desktop are converted as active assets. You'll need to manually enter the disposal method in the Disposal tab in Fixed Assets CS for these assets.
Converted items—Listed property
Due to differences in file structures between BNA Fixed Assets Desktop and Fixed Assets CS, assets convert as follows.
BNA Fixed Assets Desktop property type
Fixed Assets CS property type
Listed-Personal (PL)
Other business & personal
Listed-Auto (AL)
Luxury auto (Passenger)
Luxury Trucks and Vans (TL)
Van or light truck if placed in service after 2002; otherwise, the asset will convert as Luxury Auto
Clean Fuel Luxury Vehicle (CF)
Electric vehicle if placed in service after 2006; otherwise, the asset will convert as Listed Property
Sports Utility Vehicle (SV)
Sport utility vehicle if placed in service after 10/22/2004; otherwise, the asset will convert as Other Business & Personal
All other assets with a business use other than 100 percent will convert as Listed property (Non-vehicle).
note
If in BNA Fixed Assets Desktop, you assigned a listed property type to a calendar date that would be invalid for that vehicle classification, the listed property code won't convert to Fixed Assets CS. Additional data entry may be required in Fixed Assets CS. Fixed Assets CS has different types of codes for listed property. If necessary, you can manually change this code for each asset by selecting the
Vehicle/Listed
tab and then selecting the proper code.
Converted items—Asset ID
Asset IDs are converted to the Memo 2 field in Fixed Assets CS. Assets are renumbered sequentially during the conversion.
Converted items—Associations
BNA Fixed Assets Desktop associations are converted to Fixed Assets CS as follows.
BNA Fixed Assets Desktop Fixed Assets field
Fixed Assets CS field
Asset ID
Memo 2
Replacement Value
Replacement Val
Asset GL Acct #
Asset GL Acct #
Depr Exp GL Acct #
Depr Exp GL Acc
Accum Depr GL Acct #
Accum Depr GL A
Asset Type
Type
Class
Group
Manufacturer
Manufacturer
Description 2
Description 2
Description 3
Description 3
Location
Location
Tag ID
Tag #
Department
Department
Cost Center
Cost Center
Serial Number
Serial Number
Custodian
Custodian
Comments
Memo 1
Model Number
Model #
Vendor
Vendor
In addition, up to 10 user-defined entries from the BNA Fixed Assets Desktop “Field List” can be converted to Fixed Assets CS as custom associations. Choose which user-defined entries are converted in step 7 of “Create the conversion import file.”
Converted items—Section 168(k)
Fixed Assets CS automatically complies with section 168(k) (bonus depreciation) for qualifying assets. You can elect out of bonus depreciation on a single asset, per class life, per treatment, or per client.
Converted items—Business use
The current-year business use percentage entered in the Federal Tax book will convert. Prior-year business use percentages will default to 100 percent in Fixed Assets CS. If necessary, you can modify the prior business use percentages in Fixed Assets CS after the assets have been imported.
Converted items—Section 179
The section 179 amount converted in the current year even if you exceeded the limit in BNA Fixed Assets Desktop. Modify the amount as needed in Fixed Assets CS.
Converted items—ITC basis reduction and ITC codes
Due to differences in file structures between BNA Fixed Assets Desktop and Fixed Assets CS, the ITC amount and code can't be converted to Fixed Assets CS. The ITC basis reduction and code need to be manually entered in each applicable column for all assets using the ITC basis reduction. If you don't enter this information, Fixed Assets CS will continue to depreciate the asset without regard to the nondepreciable ITC portion of the basis.
Converted items—Amortization
The amortization code section number converts if the code matches one of the amortization codes that are available in Fixed Assets CS.
Date in service
BNA Fixed Assets Desktop allows a different
Placed in Service Date
to be entered for each treatment. Only 1 of these dates is converted to Fixed Assets CS. The date that shows in the last book
Placed in Service Date
field in BNA Fixed Assets Desktop is converted to the
Date in service
field in Fixed Assets CS. You'll need to manually enter the correct date in service at the top of the Asset Detail window in Fixed Assets CS for these assets if the Federal Tax book
Placed in Service Date
is different from the last book on the Depr Expense tab in BNA Fixed Assets Desktop.
Converted items—Mid-quarter
The mid-quarter convention is applied for assets in Fixed Assets CS if a convention of “MQ” or “AMQ” is selected in BNA Fixed Assets Desktop. You can manually select or deselect mid-quarter convention on a treatment-by-treatment basis after the conversion.
Converted items—Monthly depreciation
Fixed Assets CS provides an option to calculate monthly depreciation, but due to differences in the data file structure between BNA Fixed Assets Desktop and Fixed Assets CS, BNA Fixed Assets Desktop clients with monthly depreciation need to be converted as annual depreciation clients. Once the data is imported into Fixed Assets CS, you can change the calculation period to monthly or quarterly.
When you create the client in Fixed Assets CS, select
Annual
in the Calc period tab of the New Client window. Once the BNA Fixed Assets Desktop data is imported, you can change the calculation period to monthly. Select
File
,
Client Properties
, then select the Monthly option on the
Calc period
tab. Then, you can select the period to process by selecting
File
then
Select Period to Process
.
note
In BNA Fixed Assets Desktop, you could calculate monthly depreciation on a treatment-by-treatment basis; however, Fixed Assets CS calculates monthly depreciation for all of a client’s treatments.
Converted items—Switch to Straight-Line field
BNA Fixed Assets Desktop uses a Switch to Straight-Line field to force assets to switch to straight line when this method is advantageous. If you have assets for which
No, Continue
or
No, Stop
was entered in the
Calculation Source
field in BNA Fixed Assets Desktop, additional data entry may be required.
Items not converted
We didn't convert the following items due to application differences between BNA Fixed Assets Desktop and Fixed Assets CS.
General information, such as company name, company acronym, fiscal year-end dates, and short year information. You'll need to manually enter this information when you add the client.
General ledger account numbers. GL asset account, GL depr./amort. exp. acct., and GL accum. Depr./amort. acct. numbers in the Detail tab in BNA Fixed Assets Desktop. You'll need to set up the journal entry accounts in Fixed Assets CS to create asset cost and corresponding depreciation journal entry information.
Customized depreciation reports. Custom reports are available in Fixed Assets CS.
Custom depreciation methods.
Client notes.
Data in the Vehicles and Listed tab.
Disposition information.
Information entered in the Type of disposition, Property code, Gross sales price, and Disposition expense and other disposal fields in the Disposition tab in BNA Fixed Assets Desktop.
Review the converted data
After you complete the conversion for a specific client, we recommend that you follow these steps to ensure the accuracy of your converted fixed assets data.
Make any necessary changes identified in the “Items not converted” section of this article.
Print the
Asset Depreciation Report
in BNA Fixed Assets Desktop.
Print the
Tax Asset Detail Report
in Fixed Assets CS.
Compare the totals for basis, accumulated depreciation, and current depreciation expense.
Print and review the
Client Data Transfer Reports
.
note
These reports are created for each client to identify any differences in the data that resulted from the conversion process. Most items included on the report are strictly informational; however, you may need to manually update certain items (such as abbreviations and truncations) in Fixed Assets CS. In most instances, no action is required.
You can print or view these reports using My Computer or Windows Explorer to navigate to the folder in which the client’s original BNA Fixed Assets Desktop data and conversion files are stored. Double-click the XXXXXXXXXXX_D.PDF file, where XXXXXXXXXXX represents the client ID. Note that if the client ID is more than 11 characters, only the first 11 characters appear.
We recommend that you print and review the Client Data Transfer Reports and store the reports with the client files in your office. These reports are PDF files. To view and print the reports, use Adobe® Reader®. To install Adobe Reader, select Help, On the Web, then Adobe Reader in Fixed Assets CS, which opens the Adobe website from which you can download and install the Reader.
Get help
If you have any questions about your converted data, access Live Chat at CS.ThomsonReuters.com/MyAccount or call CS Support at 800.968.0600 and follow the prompts. Normal weekday support is from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm ET.