Question

the following accounts receivable aging analysis is available at december 31 of the current year:
days outstanding total dollars estimated uncollectible %
0 - 30 $130,000 2%
31 - 60 140,000 3%
61 - 90 132,000 5%
over 90 73,200 25%
q. the allowance for bad debts account had an unadjusted credit (i.e., beginning) balance of $22,800. there was a total of $45,600 in accounts receivable write - offs for the year. the desired ending balance of the allowance for bad debts account at december 31, and the bad debt expense for the year were?
allowance for bad debts of $31,700; bad debt expense of $22,800
allowance for bad debts of $22,800; bad debt expense of $31,700
allowance for bad debts of $31,700; bad debt expense of $54,500
allowance for bad debts of $31,700; bad debt expense of $45,600

Explanation:

Step1: Calculate estimated uncollectible amount

For 0 - 30 days: $130000\times0.02 = 2600$
For 31 - 60 days: $140000\times0.03=4200$
For 61 - 90 days: $132000\times0.05 = 6600$
For over 90 days: $73200\times0.25=18300$
Total estimated uncollectible = $2600 + 4200+6600 + 18300=31700$

Step2: Calculate bad - debt expense

The formula for bad - debt expense is: Bad Debt Expense=Desired Ending Allowance+Write - offs−Beginning Allowance
Desired ending allowance = $31700$ (from Step 1), write - offs = $45600$, beginning allowance = $22800$
Bad Debt Expense=$31700 + 45600-22800=54500$

Answer:

Allowance for Bad Debts of $31,700; Bad Debt Expense of $54,500