Human capital accounting in professional sport: Evidence from youth professional football

Abstract

© 2014, Mediterranean Center of Social and Educational Research. All rights reserved. The article comprises a set of theoretical and methodological statements and practical suggestions about the development of youth players’ registrations accounting in professional football clubs. Nowadays financial accounting of acquisition costs of professional football players’ registrations is well developed and used in practical management of sports organizations. However, accounting for the costs of internally prepared youth players have been neglected. As a result, a substantial share of assets is not adequately reflected in the accounting system and financial reporting of football club. The article proves that investments in youth players meet criteria of asset which is formed over the years in sports academies in the course of trainings and education, and which is capable to generate economic benefits as a part of club’s squad.