A recent report for UPS contained the following data: (in thousands) Accounts receivable Less: Allowance for bad debts Net accounts receivable Bad debt expense Current year $1,034,608 36,800 $ 997,808 $55,147 Previous year $ 805,495 38,225 S 767,270 $31,388 Required: 1. Prepare the journal entry for the amount of accounts receivable that were actually written off during the current year. 2. Prepare the journal entry to record the bad debt expense for the current year 3. What is the purpose of the account "Allowance for doubtful accounts"? Although the normal balance of this account is a credit balance, it sometimes has a debit balance. Briefly explain how this can happen.

Principles of Accounting Volume 1
19th Edition
ISBN:9781947172685
Author:OpenStax
Publisher:OpenStax
Chapter9: Accounting For Receivables
Section: Chapter Questions
Problem 4PB: Bristax Corporation recorded $1,385,660 in credit sales for the year, and $732,410 in accounts...
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A recent report for UPS contained the following data:
(in thousands)
Accounts receivable
Less: Allowance for bad debts
Net accounts receivable
Bad debt expense
Current year
$1,034,608
36,800
$ 997,808
$55,147
Previous year
$ 805,495
38,225
S 767,270
$31,388
Required:
1. Prepare the journal entry for the amount of accounts receivable that were actually
written off during the current year.
2. Prepare the journal entry to record the bad debt expense for the current year
3. What is the purpose of the account "Allowance for doubtful accounts"? Although
the normal balance of this account is a credit balance, it sometimes has a debit balance.
Briefly explain how this can happen.
Transcribed Image Text:A recent report for UPS contained the following data: (in thousands) Accounts receivable Less: Allowance for bad debts Net accounts receivable Bad debt expense Current year $1,034,608 36,800 $ 997,808 $55,147 Previous year $ 805,495 38,225 S 767,270 $31,388 Required: 1. Prepare the journal entry for the amount of accounts receivable that were actually written off during the current year. 2. Prepare the journal entry to record the bad debt expense for the current year 3. What is the purpose of the account "Allowance for doubtful accounts"? Although the normal balance of this account is a credit balance, it sometimes has a debit balance. Briefly explain how this can happen.
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