An unregistered asset is the opposite of a ghost asset: the item exists, but the register does not know about it. Audits find them when a counter scans an unknown tag or comes across an untagged item.
Common causes
- Purchases on cards or expense claims that skipped registration
- Assets received at a site without notifying the asset team
- Donated, transferred or leased-in items
- Tags applied but never linked to a record
Why it matters
Unregistered assets are not insured, maintained, depreciated or audited — and they can hide from accountability entirely. They also make the register understate what you own.
What to do
- Identify the item and confirm who owns it (it may belong to a contractor or another entity).
- Register it with its details and tag it.
- Fix the process that allowed it to bypass registration.
In Asetavo
Audit sessions list unregistered items separately so they can be registered and tagged on the spot from the mobile app.