Question

At the end of the current year, Accounts Receivable has a balance of $4,375,000; Allowance for Doubtful Accounts has a debit balance of $21,300; and sales for the year total $102,480,000. Bad debt expense is estimated at 1/4 of 1% of sales. a. Determine the amount of the adjusting entry for uncollectible accounts.

Answer 1

Answer: The adjusting entries for the uncollectible accounts would be as follows: Debit Bad debt expense $277,500; Credit Allowance for doubtful accounts $277,500

Explanation: As provided in the question, bad debt expense is determined by the percentage of sales method. In this instance, it is estimated at 1/4 of 1% of sales. 1% of $102,480,000 = $1,024,800; 1/4 of $1,024,800 = $256,200. Please note that there was an existing debit balance of $21,300 in allowance for doubtful accounts (usually, it should have a credit balance), in order to reinstate the allowance for doubtful account to $256,200, we have to credit it with $277,500 ($256,200 + $21,300), by way of the journals above.