Question

A company has the following unadjusted account balances at December 31, of the current year; Accounts Receivable of $185,700 and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts of $1,600 (credit balance). The company uses the aging of accounts receivable to estimate its bad debts. The following aging schedule reflects its accounts receivable at the current year-end:

Account Age Balance Estimated Uncollectible Percentage
Current (not yet due) $96,000 1.00%
1—30 days past due 64,000 2.50%
30—60 days past due 16,000 11.00%
61—90 days past due 6,500 37.00%
Over 90 days past due 3,200 70.00%
Total $185,700

Required:
a. Calculate the amount of the Allowance for Doubtful Accounts that should appear on the December 31, of the current year, balance sheet.
b. Prepare the adjusting journal entry to record bad debts expense for the current year .

Answer 1

a. The amount of the Allowance for Doubtful Accounts that should appear on the December 31, Balance Sheet of the current year is:

= $8,965.

b. Adjusting Journal Entry:

Debit Bad Debts Expense $7,365

Credit Allowance for Doubtful Accounts $7,365

To record bad debts expense and bring the balance of the Allowance for Doubtful Accounts to a credit balance of $8,965.

Step-by-step explanation:

a) Data and Calculations:

Accounts Receivable balance = $185,700

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts $1,600 (credit balance)

Aging Schedule:

Account Age Balance Estimated Uncollectible Amount

Percentage

Current (not yet due) $96,000 1.00% $960

1—30 days past due 64,000 2.50% 1,600

30—60 days past due 16,000 11.00% 1,760

61—90 days past due 6,500 37.00% 2,405

Over 90 days past due 3,200 70.00% 2,240

Total $185,700 $8,965

Bad Debts Expense:

Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts:

Beginning balance ($1,600)

Ending balance $8,965

Bad Debts expense = $7,365