1. Chapter 20 Accounting for Uncollectible Accounts Receivable

2. Uncollectible Accounts Accounts receivable that cannot be collected. Also known as bad debts. The amount not collected is recorded as an expense.

3. Estimating Uncollectible Accounts Expense At the end of each fiscal period, a business can calculate and record an estimated amount of uncollectible accounts expense. This accomplishes two objectives: An up-to-date value of uncollectible accounts prevents an overstatement of the value of accounts receivable on the balance sheet. Recording the estimated uncollectible expense prevents an understatement of expenses on the income statement. Many businesses use a percentage of total sales on account.

4. Recording Uncollectible Accounts Expense To record, an adjusting entry is made affecting two accounts: Uncollectible Accounts Expense Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts Uncollectible Accounts Expense Debit Normal Increase Credit Decrease Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts Debit Decrease Credit Normal Increase

5. Allowance Method of Recording Losses from Uncollectible Accounts Crediting the estimated value of uncollectible accounts to a contra account.

6. Book Value of Accounts Receivable The difference between the balance of Accounts Receivable and its contra account, Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts.

7. Writing Off An Account Canceling the balance of a customer account because the customer does not pay.

8. Collecting Written-Off Accounts Receivable Occasionally, after an account has been written off, the customer pays the delinquent account. Two journal entries need to be made: A general journal entry to reopen the customer account A cash receipts journal entry to record the cash received on account.