When should intangibles with a finite useful life be amortised?

Intangibles with a finite useful life should be amortized over the period they become available for use. This approach aligns with the matching principle in accounting, which states that expenses should be recognized in the same period as the revenues they help generate. By amortizing the intangible asset over its useful life, a company systematically allocates the cost of the asset to the periods in which it derives economic benefits from that asset.

Amortization reflects the consumption of the asset's economic benefits, ensuring that the carrying amount of the intangible is adjusted in the financial statements over time. This method provides a clearer financial picture of the company's performance and ensures compliance with relevant accounting standards, which requires amortization to reflect the deterioration of value over the useful life.

In contrast, the other options do not comply with standard accounting practices for amortizing intangible assets. For example, amortizing based on inflation rates is impractical, as it does not relate to the actual utility or economic benefits derived from the asset. Furthermore, amortizing only when an asset is sold or transferred would not reflect the asset's usage during its productive life. Lastly, determining amortization at the end of the accounting life would not provide timely recognition of expense related to the intangible asset while it is in use.