Indicate how the percentage-of-receivables method, based on an ageing schedule, accomplishes the objectives of the allowance method of accounting for bad debts. What other methods, besides an ageing analysis, can be used for estimating uncollectible accounts?
The percentage of receivables method based on an aging schedule calculates each year's debit to the expense account and credit to the allowance account by evaluating the collectability of open accounts receivable at the close of the year. An analysis of the accounts according to their due dates is a common procedure. For each of the age categories established in the analysis, average percentage rates may be developed on the basis of past experience and applied to the accounts in the respective age categories. This method may also utilize individual analysis for some accounts, especially those that are considerably past due, in arriving at estimated uncollectible receivables. On the basis of the foregoing analysis the balance in the valuation account is then adjusted to the amount estimated to be uncollectible.
This method of providing for uncollectible accounts is quite accurate for purposes of reporting accounts receivable at their estimated net realizable value in the balance sheet. From the stand-point of the income statement, however, the aging method may not match accurately bad debt expenses with the sales which caused them because the charge to bad debt expense is not based on sales. The accuracy of both the charge to bad debt expense and the reported value of receiv-ables depends on the current estimate of uncollectible accounts. The accuracy of the expense charge, however, is additionally dependent upon the timing of actual write-offs.
Other methods that companies may use employ estimates based on historical loss ratios for customers with different credit ratings as a basis for estimating uncollectible accounts. Or a company may utilize a probability-weighted discounted cash flow model (as illustrated in Chapter 6) to estimate expected credit losses.
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Accounting
- Distinguish between gross profit as a percentage of cost and gross profit as a percentage of sales price.
- What are the major uses of the gross profit method?
- Under what circumstances is relative sales value an appropriate basis for determining the price assigned to inventory?
- What approaches may be employed in applying the LCNRV procedure? Which approach is normally used and why?
- Why are inventories valued at the lower-of-cost-or-net realizable value (LCNRV)? What are the arguments against the use of the LCNRV method of valuing inventories?
- Why will the traditional LIFO inventory costing method and the dollar-value LIFO inventory costing method produce different inventory valuations if the composition of the inventory base changes?
- What advantage does the dollar-value method have over the specific goods approach of LIFO inventory valuation?
- What is the dollar-value method of LIFO inventory valuation?
- FIFO, average-cost, and LIFO methods are often used instead of specific identification for inventory valuation purposes. Compare these methods with the specific identification method, discussing the theoretical propriety of each method in the determination of income and asset valuation.
- Distinguish between product costs and period costs as they relate to inventory.
- Define "cost" as applied to the valuation of inventories.
- Where, if at all, should the following items be classified on a balance sheet?
- What is a repurchase agreement (product financing) arrangement? How should a product repurchase agreement be reported in the financial statements?
- What is the difference between a perpetual inventory and a physical inventory? If a company maintains a perpetual inventory, should its physical inventory at any date be equal to the amount indicated by the perpetual inventory records? Why?
- In what ways are the inventory accounts of a retailing company different from those of a manufacturing company?
- What is the fair value option? Where do companies that elect the fair value option report unrealized holding gains and losses?
- What is the theoretical justification of the allowance method as contrasted with the direct write-off method of accounting for bad debts?
- What are the basic problems that occur in the valuation of accounts receivable?
- What are two methods of recording accounts receivable transactions when a cash discount situation is involved? Which is more theoretically correct? Which is used in practice more of the time? Why?
- What are the reasons that a company gives trade discounts? Why are trade discounts not recorded in accounts like cash discounts?
- What may be included under the heading of "cash"?
- State the generally accepted accounting principle applicable to balance sheet valuation of each of the following assets.
- Where should the following items be shown on the balance sheet, if shown at all?
- In what section of the balance sheet should the following items appear, and what balance sheet terminology would you use?
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