The accounting rate of return (ARR) method may be known as the return on capital employed (ROCE) or return on investment (ROI).
The ARR is ratio of the accounting profit to the investment in the project, expressed as a percentage.
The decision rule is that if the ARR is greater than, or equal to, a hurdle rate, then accept the project.
Advantages:- familiarity, ease of understanding and communication;
- managers' performances are often judged using ARR and therefore wish to select projects on the same basis.
Disadvantages:- it can be calculated in a wide variety of ways;
- profit is a poor substitute for cash flow;
- no allowance for the time value of money;
- arbitrary cut-off date;
- some perverse decisions can be made.