Accountants who understand the difference between fleet leasing (or open-end leasing) and consumer leasing are tremendous advocates of leasing. Accountants who only understand consumer leasing (or closed-end leasing) are opponents of leasing.
Fleet leases have no mileage charges or damage charges. The lessee bears the risk for the value of the vehicle at the end of the lease and has the benefit of the equity built up during the lease. Closed-end leases, by contrast, are typically consumer leases and include mileage and damage charges. The lessor bears risk for the value of the vehicle at the end of the lease and the lessee has no claim to equity. Mileage and damage charges are often much greater than the actual loss in value to the vehicle. Watch Adam Berger of Doering Fleet Management discuss this concept.
