Chapter 09 – Accounting for Receivables
VISUAL # 9-1
METHODS OF ACCOUNTING FOR BAD DEBTS
DIRECT WRITE-OFF METHOD
Accounts for bad debts from an uncollectible account
receivable at the time account is determined to be
uncollectible.
ALLOWANCE METHOD
At the end of each accounting period,
bad debts expense is
estimated and recorded.
Year-end No adjusting entry
Adjusting entry required:
Bad Debt Expense XXX
Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts XXX
(The amount is an estimate based on a percentage of sales or a
percentage of outstanding accounts receivable. If the estimate is based
on sales, the full estimate is used in the adjusting entry. If the estimate
is based on accounts receivable the allowance account balance is
brought to the amount of the estimate.)
When an account is
determined to be
uncollectible
Write-off entry required:
Bad Debts Expense XXX
Accounts Receivable/Customer XXX
(The amount is the balance of the uncollectible account.)
Write-off entry required:
Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts XXX
Accounts Receivable/Customer XXX
(The amount is the balance of the uncollectible account.)
When an account
previously written
off is recovered
1. Reinstate account by reversing write-off:
Accounts Receivable/Customer XXX
Bad Debts Expense XXX
(The amount is the account balance that was written off.)
2. Record collection on account normally:
Cash XXX
Accounts Receivable/Customer XXX
(The amount is the amount collected.)
1. Reinstate account by reversing write-off:
Accounts Receivable/Customer XXX
Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts XXX
(The amount is the account balance that was written off.)
2. Record collection on account normally:
Cash XXX
Accounts Receivable/Customer XXX
(The amount is the amount collected.)
Advantages: Does not require adjusting entry.
Does not require year-end estimating of
uncollectibles.
Matches expense against related revenues.
Reports the net realizable accounts receivable on the balance
sheet (a more accurate reporting of assets).
Disadvantages: Violates matching (expense recognition) principle,
therefore only allowed if qualified under
materiality principle. (Permitted if a business
anticipates an immaterial amount of uncollectibles.)
Requires adjusting entry.
Requires year-end estimating of uncollectibles.
9-8
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