Question

The following information is available for Quality Book Sales's sales on account and accounts receivable:

Accounts Receivable Balance, January 1, Year 2 $78,500
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, January 1, Year 2 4,710
Sales on Account, Year 2 550,000
Collections of Accounts Receivable, Year 2 556,000
After several collection attempts, Quality Book Sales wrote off $2,850 of accounts that could not be collected. Quality Book Sales estimates that 0.5% of sales on account will be uncollectible. Required:
(A) Compute the following amounts:
(1) Using the allowance method, the amount of uncollectible accounts expense for Year 2.
(2) Net realizable value of receivables at the end of Year 2.
(B) Explain why the uncollectible accounts expense amount is different from the amount that was written off as uncollectible.
(1) Uncollectible accounts expense is an estimate of current receivables that may eventually be uncollectible.
(2) Uncollectible accounts expense is the actual amount that was determined in the current accounting period to be uncollectible.

Answer 1

Quality Book Sales

1) Uncollectible accounts expense for Year 2 = $890

2) Net realizable value of receivables at the end of Year 2 = $69,650

B) The reason why the uncollectible accounts expense amount is different from the amount that was written off as uncollectible is:

(2) Uncollectible accounts expense is the actual amount that was determined in the current accounting period to be uncollectible.

Step-by-step explanation:

a) Data and Calculations:

Accounts Receivable Balance, January 1, Year 2 = $78,500

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, January 1, Year 2 = 4,710

Sales on Account, Year 2 = 550,000

Collections of Accounts Receivable, Year 2 = 556,000

Uncollectibles written off = $2,850

Allowance for Uncollectible accounts = 0.5% of Sales ($550,000 * 0.5%)

= $2,750

1) Uncollectible accounts expense for Year 2 = $890 ($2,850 + $2,750 - $4,710)

2) Net realizable value of receivables at the end of Year 2 = $69,650

B) The reason why the uncollectible accounts expense amount is different from the amount that was written off as uncollectible is:

(2) Uncollectible accounts expense is the actual amount that was determined in the current accounting period to be uncollectible.

Accounts Receivable Account

Account Titles Debit Credit

Beginning balance $78,500

Sales 550,000

Cash $556,000

Allowance for Uncollectibles 2,850

Ending balance 69,650

Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts

Account Titles Debit Credit

Beginning balance $4,710

Accounts receivable $2,850

Uncollectible Accounts Expense 890

Ending balance 2,750