The Sum of the Year’s Digits (SYD) method is a technique used to depreciate assets over time, emphasizing accelerated depreciation. Unlike straight-line depreciation, which spreads the cost evenly, SYD allocates higher expenses in the earlier years. It calculates depreciation by dividing the asset’s remaining life by the sum of the year’s digits and multiplying by the depreciable amount. This method benefits businesses wanting a faster expense recognition, reflecting the asset’s decreasing utility and economic value over time, aligning with the matching principle in accounting.