Question

Haven Company uses the percentage of receivables method for recording bad debt expense. The accounts receivable balance is $600,000 and credit sales are $2,700,000. Management estimates that 4% of accounts receivable will be uncollectible.
Required:
1. What adjusting entry will Haven Company make to record bad debt expense if the Allowance for Doubtful Accounts has a $5,000 credit balance before adjustment?

Answer 1

Answer:

Debit Bad debt expense   $19,000

Credit Allowance for doubtful debt   $19,000

Explanation:

When a company makes sales on account, debit accounts receivable and credit sales. Based on assessment, some or all of the receivables may be uncollectible.  

To account for this, debit bad debit expense and credit allowance for doubtful debt. Should the debt become uncollectible (i.e go bad), debit allowance for doubtful debt and credit accounts receivable.

Where a debit that had previously been determined to have gone bad gets settled, debit cash and credit bad debt expense.

Amount that may be uncollectible

= 4% *  $600,000

= $24,000

Given that the Allowance for Doubtful Accounts has a $5,000 credit balance before adjustment, the additional amount to be adjusted for

= $24,000 - $5,000

= $19,000