Operating expenditure covers the day-to-day costs of keeping the business and its assets running: wages, rent, utilities, fuel, consumables, subscriptions, routine repairs and maintenance. It is recorded as an expense in the period incurred.
Why the distinction matters
Classifying spend as CapEx or OpEx changes reported profit, the balance sheet and tax timing. Leasing or subscribing instead of buying can shift costs from CapEx to OpEx (subject to lease accounting rules such as IFRS 16 and ASC 842).
Example
Buying a $20,000 printer fleet → CapEx, depreciated. Paying $600 a month for a managed print service → OpEx.
In Asetavo
Maintenance costs and parts are captured on work orders, giving you the operating cost of each asset alongside its capital cost.