An asset is generally defined as something of value that is owned by an individual, company, or organization, and which can be used to generate income or provide future economic benefit. Assets can be tangible, such as property, equipment, or cash, or intangible, such as patents, trademarks, or goodwill.

Examples of assets include:

• Cash and cash equivalents
• Accounts receivable
• Inventory
• Real estate
• Machinery and equipment
• Investments
• Intellectual property (patents, trademarks, copyrights)
• Goodwill

On the other hand, something that is not an example of an asset would be a liability or an expense. Liabilities are obligations that an entity owes to others, such as loans, accounts payable, or mortgages. Expenses are costs incurred in the process of generating revenue, such as salaries, utilities, or rent.

For example:

• Loan payable: This is a liability, not an asset, because it represents an obligation to repay borrowed money.
• Salaries expense: This is an expense, not an asset, because it represents the cost of labor incurred during a specific period.
• Depreciation expense: This is an expense, not an asset, because it represents the allocation of the cost of a tangible asset over its useful life.

In summary, anything that does not provide future economic benefit or is not owned by the entity would not be considered an asset. Liabilities and expenses are not assets because they do not represent ownership of value or future economic benefit.