the negative effects of bad debts have already been recorded. This is illustrated by walking
students through writing off an actual bad debt and then subsequently collecting on an account
previously written off. Students are also introduced to the aging method, explaining that the
collectability of a receivable is inherently linked to its age (or number of days past due).
Part C deals with notes receivable. Students are reminded that accounting for notes
receivable is similar to accounts receivable, except for interest collection, which usually
accompanies notes receivable.
The analysis section discusses the receivables turnover ratio and the average collection
period to help students understand how decision makers use receivables information. The
analysis is performed for Tenet Healthcare and Lifepoint Hospitals, two companies with
relatively high uncollectible accounts because of the nature of the industry in which they operate.
The analysis demonstrates that the lower profit performance of Tenet may be linked to the
company’s higher uncollectible accounts.
For those interested in comparing the balance sheet method (percentage-of-receivables) to
the income statement method (percentage-of-credit-sales), the appendix provides an analysis.
Understanding this comparison may be helpful from a conceptual understanding that accounting
choices have real effects on amounts reported in the financial statements. However, students are
reminded that the percentage-of-credit-sales method is allowed only if the ending balance of the
allowance account is not materially different than that under the percentage-of-receivables
method. Accounts receivable must be recorded at their net realizable value, which is a balance
sheet focus.
Assignment Charts
Assignment Charts
Questions Learning
Objective(s) Topic
Time
(Min.)
1 LO5-1 Describe recording of a credit sale 5
2 LO5-1 Explain the difference between a trade receivable
and a nontrade receivable
5
3 LO5-2 Explain the difference a trade discount and sales
discount
5
4 LO5-2 Explain accounting treatment for sales returns and
allowances
5
5 LO5-2 Provide an example of revenue earned at one point
or over time
5
6 LO5-3 Explain how companies account for uncollectible
accounts receivable
5
7 LO5-3 Understand purposes of estimating future
uncollectible accounts
5
8 LO5-3 Relate accounting for uncollectible accounts to the
matching principle
5
9 LO5-3 Identify the financial statement effects of accounting
for uncollectible accounts
5
10 LO5-3 Describe the year-end adjustment for the allowance
for uncollectible accounts
5