Intermediate Accounting: Reporting and Analysis
2nd Edition
ISBN: 9781285453828
Author: James M. Wahlen, Jefferson P. Jones, Donald Pagach
Publisher: Cengage Learning
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Textbook Question
Chapter 6, Problem 3C
When a company has a policy of making sales for which credit is extended, it is reasonable to expect a portion of those sales to be uncollectible. As a result, a company must recognize bad debt expense. The two methods of recognizing bad debt expense are the (1) direct write-off method and (2) allowance method.
Required:
- 1. Describe fully both the direct write-off method and the allowance method of recognizing bad debt expense.
- 2. Explain the reasons why one of these methods is preferable to the other and the reasons why the other method is not usually in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
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When a company has a policy of making sales for which credit is extended, it is reasonable to
expect a portion of those sales to be uncollectible. As a result of this, a company must recognize
bad debt expense. There are basically two methods of recognizing bad debt expense: (1) direct
write-off method, and (2) allowance method.
Instructions
(a) Describe fully both the direct write-off method and the allowance method of recognizing bad
debt expense.
(b) Discuss the reasons why one of the above methods is preferable to the other and the reasons
why the other method is not usually in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles.
When a large account receivable balance is due from one client it is logical to use the direct write-off method to adjust the bad debt expense and accounts receivable balance. Under different circumstances, another method is used called the allowance method.
Discuss the best reason(s) for using the allowance method and give some examples of companies that are likely to use that method. Also explain why it would ever be appropriate to use the direct write-off method, especially since it is not GAAP.
When a large account receivable balance is due from one client it is logical to use the direct write-off method to adjust the bad debt expense and accounts receivable balance. Under different circumstances, another method is used called the allowance method. Discuss the best reason(s) for using the allowance method and give some examples of companies that are likely to use that method. Also explain why it would ever be appropriate to use the direct write-off method, especially since it is not GAAP.
Chapter 6 Solutions
Intermediate Accounting: Reporting and Analysis
Ch. 6 - What are the components of cash? What items may be...Ch. 6 - Prob. 2GICh. 6 - Prob. 3GICh. 6 - How are trade receivables different from nontrade...Ch. 6 - Prob. 5GICh. 6 - Prob. 6GICh. 6 - Prob. 7GICh. 6 - What is a sales return? A sales allowance?...Ch. 6 - Discuss the differences between the allowance...Ch. 6 - Prob. 10GI
Ch. 6 - Prob. 11GICh. 6 - What method of bad debt estimation categorizes...Ch. 6 - Why does the write-off of uncollectible accounts...Ch. 6 - Discuss the difference between a secured borrowing...Ch. 6 - When does a company record the transfer of...Ch. 6 - Prob. 16GICh. 6 - What is a non-interest-bearing note? How does...Ch. 6 - Prob. 18GICh. 6 - How are the cash proceeds determined when a note...Ch. 6 - Under IFRS, what criteria must be satisfied in...Ch. 6 - Prob. 21GICh. 6 - (Appendix 6. 1) What is the purpose of a petty...Ch. 6 - (Appendix 6. 7) Why are actual expenses, rather...Ch. 6 - Prob. 24GICh. 6 - Prob. 25GICh. 6 - Prob. 1MCCh. 6 - Prob. 2MCCh. 6 - A company is in its first year of operations and...Ch. 6 - Prob. 4MCCh. 6 - Prob. 5MCCh. 6 - Prob. 6MCCh. 6 - A method of estimating bad debts that focuses on...Ch. 6 - When the accounts receivable of a company are sold...Ch. 6 - Prob. 9MCCh. 6 - Prob. 10MCCh. 6 - Prob. 11MCCh. 6 - On December 31, Harrison Company reports the...Ch. 6 - Lindley Enterprises sells hand woven rugs. Paige...Ch. 6 - Long Corporation is a fabric manufacturing...Ch. 6 - Prob. 4RECh. 6 - Prob. 5RECh. 6 - Prob. 6RECh. 6 - Prob. 7RECh. 6 - On December 1 of the current year, Jordan Inc....Ch. 6 - On December 1 of the current year, Jordan Inc....Ch. 6 - On December 1, Newton Enterprises sells 100,000 of...Ch. 6 - Kaseys Cake Shop made 20,000 in sales of wedding...Ch. 6 - On June 1, Phillips Corporation sold, with...Ch. 6 - Prob. 13RECh. 6 - Prob. 1ECh. 6 - Prob. 2ECh. 6 - Journal Entry to Separate Receivables An...Ch. 6 - Prob. 4ECh. 6 - Prob. 5ECh. 6 - Prob. 6ECh. 6 - Prob. 7ECh. 6 - Prob. 8ECh. 6 - Prob. 9ECh. 6 - Aging Analysis of Accounts Receivable Cowens, a...Ch. 6 - Bradford Companys accounting records on December...Ch. 6 - Prob. 12ECh. 6 - Prob. 13ECh. 6 - Prob. 14ECh. 6 - Transfer of Accounts Receivable Inder Corporation...Ch. 6 - Prob. 16ECh. 6 - Prob. 17ECh. 6 - Computing the Proceeds from the Sale of Notes...Ch. 6 - Recording the Sale of Notes Receivable Singer...Ch. 6 - Prob. 20ECh. 6 - Prob. 21ECh. 6 - Prob. 22ECh. 6 - Prob. 23ECh. 6 - Prob. 24ECh. 6 - Prob. 1PCh. 6 - Prob. 2PCh. 6 - Prob. 3PCh. 6 - Prob. 4PCh. 6 - From inception of operations to December 31, 2015,...Ch. 6 - Prob. 6PCh. 6 - Prob. 7PCh. 6 - Prob. 8PCh. 6 - Prob. 9PCh. 6 - Prob. 10PCh. 6 - Factoring and Assignment of Accounts Receivable...Ch. 6 - Recording Note Transactions The following...Ch. 6 - Notes Receivable Transactions The following notes...Ch. 6 - Prob. 14PCh. 6 - Prob. 15PCh. 6 - Prob. 16PCh. 6 - Prob. 17PCh. 6 - Prob. 18PCh. 6 - Prob. 19PCh. 6 - Prob. 1CCh. 6 - Prob. 2CCh. 6 - Bad Debt Expense When a company has a policy of...Ch. 6 - Prob. 4CCh. 6 - Prob. 5CCh. 6 - Components of Cash Cash is an important asset of a...Ch. 6 - Prob. 7CCh. 6 - Transfer of Accounts and Notes Receivable Tidal...Ch. 6 - Prob. 9CCh. 6 - Prob. 10CCh. 6 - Researching GAAP Situation Hamilton Company...
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- Which method delays recognition of bad debt until the specific customer accounts receivable is identified? A. income statement method B. balance sheet method C. direct write-off method D. allowance methodarrow_forwardWhen a large account receivable balance is due from one client it is logical to use the direct write-off method to adjust the bad debt expense and accounts receivable balance. Under different circumstances, another method is used called the allowance method. Discuss the best reason(s) for using the allowance method and give some examples of companies that are likely to use that method. Also explain why it would ever be appropriate to use the direct write-off method, especially since it is not GAAarrow_forwardK GAAP requires companies to method to record bad debts expense. OA. use the allowance OB. use the fair value OC. select either the direct write-off or allowance O D. use the direct write - offarrow_forward
- There are two approaches to implementing the allowance method of recognizing bad debt – Percentage of Net Sales and Accounts Receivable Aging Method. Requirements: What accounting principle requires the use of the allowance method for recognizing bad debt? Compare and contrast the two methods identified above. Discuss the philosophical differences between them and identify the one that is more accurate and why.arrow_forwardThis is a method of recognizing bad debts that requires a company to estimate the uncollectible accounts rather than wait for an account to actually be identified as uncollectible. Direct write-off method O Allowance methodarrow_forwardWhich of the following relationships best describes the percentage of receivables basis of valuing accounts receivable? O A. Matching, emphasis on statement of financial position relationships. O B. Matching, emphasis on income statement relationships. Oc. Cash realizable value, emphasis on statement of financial position relationships. O D. Cash realizable value emphasis on income statement relationships.arrow_forward
- If a company uses the allowance method of accounting for bad debts, which one of the following statements is true?a. It violates the matching principle. b. It will record bad debts only when an account is determined to be uncollectible. c. It will reduce the accounts receivable at the end of the accounting period for estimated uncollectible accounts. d. It will report accounts receivable in the balance sheet at their net realizable value.arrow_forwardI need the answer as soon as possiblearrow_forwardExplan optionsarrow_forward
- Recording bad debt expense under the allowance method will have what effect on the financial statements? Select one: a. Profit is unchanged and total assets decrease b. Profit decreases and total assets is unchanged c. Profit is unchanged and total assets is unchanged d. Profit increases and total assets decrease e. Profit decreases and total assets decreasearrow_forwardUsing the allowance method, is Bad Debt Expense recognized in the period in which ( a ) sales related to the uncollectible account were made or ( b ) the seller learns that thecustomer is unable to pay?arrow_forwardIf the provision for doubtful debt is increased, the accounting adjustment will be: Select one: a. Debit: Bad debt expense Credit: Trade receivables b. Debit: Bad debt expense Credit: Provision for bad debts c. Debit: Provision for bad debts Credit: Bad debt expense d. Debit: Trade receivables Credit: Bad debt expensearrow_forward
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