What are total assets?

The sum of a company's fixed assets and its current assets. The monetary value of the total assets shown in the accounts may differ to real market value. Assets owned by the company include physical plant, machinery, patents, and goodwill. Goodwill refers to the difference in value between net assets and market value. In a private company, goodwill will not be apparent until a company is sold. For public companies, goodwill can easily be calculated by looking at the difference between net assets and market value, as determined by share price.