Contra accounts potential, equipment, accounting, all

dreampak

If an asset is something that adds value or has potential future value to a firm, then why is a contra asset an asset?
For example accumulated depreciation that decreases plant property and equipment, why is accumulated depreciation an asset?
Is this just an accounting rule? Is all contra assets just considered assets and all contra category x consided category x?
Thanks

Siddimaula

Contra asset by the definition is an “opposite asset”.
Since you are showing the Historic purchase value of the Asset  and also need to determine what its “current” running total balance is – the two show up next to each other. The Balance sheet otherwise will show a continuous balance of 100$ using brianr’s example  if the Accum. Depreciation shows up alongside and below the PP&E – you know what is the true asset value of the PP&E e.g.