Question

On December 31, Year 1, the Loudoun Corporation estimated that 3% of its credit sales of $112,500 would be uncollectible. Loudoun uses the allowance method of accounting for uncollectible accounts. In February of Year 2, one of Loudoun's customers failed to pay his $1,050 account and the account was written off. On April 4, Year 2, this customer paid Loudoun the $1,050.

Which of the following answers correctly states the effect of the December 31, Year 1 adjusting entry for uncollectible accounts on the financial statements of the Loudoun Corporation?

Assets = Liab. + Equity Rev. − Expenses = Net Inc. Cash Flow
A. (3,375) = 3,375 + NA NA − NA = NA NA
B. (3,375) = NA + (3,375) NA − 3,375 = (3,375) NA
C. 3,375 = NA + 3,375 NA − (3,375) = 3,375 3,375 OA
D. NA = NA + NA NA − NA = NA NA

Answer 1

The correct answer is B. (3,375) = NA + (3,375) NA − 3,375 = (3,375) NA.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks for the effect of the adjusting entry on December 31, Year 1, that is, the creation of the 3% allowance for uncollectible debts.

Allowance for bad debts = 3% x $112,500 = $3,375

Its effect is as follows.

Assets: Since accounts receivable (an asset) is reduced, assets are reduced by $3,375.

Liabilities: No effect.

Equity: As Equity = Assets - Liabilities, the net effect is to reduce the equity by $3,375.

Revenue: No effect.

Expenses: Sales worth $3,375 is written off as an expense. Hence, total expenses increase by $3,375.

Net increase: As revenue remains unchanged while expenses increase by $3,375, the net increase is a negative of $3,375.

Cash flow: No effect, because there is no exchange of cash since the amount of $3,375 was never received by Loudoun Corporation.

These entries correspond to option B. which is thus the correct answer.