FAR: Uncollectible accounts expense

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    Topic
  • #180169
    CPApracticer
    Participant

    Ward estimates its uncollectible accounts expense to be 2% of credit sales. Ward’s credit sales during the current year were $1,000,000. During the year, Ward wrote off $18000 of uncollectible accounts. Ward’s allowance for uncollectible accounts had a $15,000 balance on January 1. In its December 31 income statement, what amount should Ward report as uncollectible accounts expense?

    a. 17000

    b. 23000

    c. 18000

    d. 20000

    Answer:

    Begin balance Jan 1: 15000

    Add: Uncollectible accounts expense (provision): 20000

    Subtotal: 35000

    Less: Write offs (18000)

    Ending Balance: 17000

    Choice d is correct $20000 uncollectible accounts expense.

    The only pertinent info is the:

    Credit sales: 1000000

    Uncollectible provision: 2%

    Uncollectible expense: 20000

    My question: I got my answer to equal $17000 after using the Base format. How come the answer is $20000 and not $17000. Can someone please explain this to me. Thank you.

    F: 54 (4/13) 60 (4/14) 67 (9/14) 66 (10/14) 63 (11/15) 79 (2/16) PASSED
    A: 60 (5/13) 80 (4/16) PASSED
    R: 60 (7/13) 61 (2/15) 70 (4/15) 77 (7/15) PASSED
    B: (6/16)

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  • #435627
    mla1169
    Participant

    The balance in the allowance for uncollectible accounts (balance sheet) will be 17k, but that's not what the question is asking. It's asking for the expense (income statement) which is 20k (1,000,000 x 2%)

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    #435628
    acamp
    Participant

    Only the amount charged to the uncollectible reserve is the expense.

    Dr. Bad Debt Expense $20K

    Cr. Bad Debt Allowance $20K

    A write off only changes the balance sheet.

    Dr. Bad Debt Allowance $18K

    Cr. Accounts Receivable $18K

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