Intermediate Accounting: Reporting and Analysis
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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Chapter 6, Problem 3C

Bad Debt Expense

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. 1. Describe fully both the direct write-off method and the allowance method of recognizing bad debt expense.
  2. 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 - 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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