Chapter 6: Reporting & Analyzing Operating Assets Part 1: Accounts Receivable

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Chapter 6:Chapter 6:Reporting & Analyzing Reporting & Analyzing

Operating AssetsOperating AssetsPart 1:Part 1:

Accounts ReceivableAccounts Receivable

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Accounts ReceivableAccounts ReceivableAccounts receivable arise from selling goods

or services to customers on account.Recorded at face amount to be collected.However, we must also reflect the fact that a

portion of A/R may not be collected.Reasons for lack of collection:

(1) sales discounts (2) sales returns(3) uncollectible A/R (bad debts)

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Uncollected A/R Uncollected A/R (1)Sales Discounts occur when a customer takes

advantage of a cash discount for early payment.(2)Sales Returns occur when a customer returns a

purchase.Both items reduce sales revenue to a net amount.Calculation of net sales on the I/S:

Sales revenue - sales discounts (SD)

- sales returns (SR) = Net salesFormula: S - SD - SR = S(net)

(3)Uncollectible A/R (bad debts) occur when a customer defaults on the receivable, and the company cannot collect the amount owed.This item requires a separate expense account (rather than a reduction of revenue).

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Uncollectible A/R (Bad Debts)Uncollectible A/R (Bad Debts)For matching, we estimate the A/R that will not be

collected, and match that expense to current revenues.

The AJE (adjusting journal entry) to record an estimate for future uncollectibles in year of sale:

Bad Debt Expense xxAllowance for Uncoll. xx

The General JE in later periods, when a specific A/R is deemed uncollectible (this is called the write-off of a specific A/R):

Allowance for Uncoll. xxA/R xx

When are the income statement and balance sheet affected?

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Estimation of UncollectiblesEstimation of UncollectiblesNote that we do not know in 2004 which

A/Rs will not be collected in 2005. Therefore, we must estimate uncollectibles. There are two methods to estimate uncollectibles (for the AJE):1. Percentage of sales2. Percentage of accounts receivable

Both methods are acceptable under GAAP, but we will examine the percentage of A/R method (used by larger companies).

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Percentage of A/R Method Percentage of A/R Method (using Aging Schedule) (using Aging Schedule)

Based on ending A/R and ending Allowance account.

Calculation: Ending A/R x % = Ending Allowance

(focus on the credit side of the AJE)Called Balance Sheet approach, because:

ending asset x % = ending contra asset.Requires the analysis of the Allowance account

before preparing the AJE.An aging schedule of A/R is the most accurate

way to estimate uncollectibles (see Exhibit 6-1).

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T-Account Approach for T-Account Approach for Percentage of A/R MethodPercentage of A/R Method

Based on the analysis of the Allowance account.

Calculate the “desired ending balance” based on an aging of A/R.

Now, given the Beginning, Ending and Write-off amounts, calculate the amount of the current estimate that must be added to the Allowance account to achieve the “desired ending balance.”

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Allowance for Uncollectibles Allowance for Uncollectibles (T-account)(T-account)

Allowance for Uncollectibles

1. Beginning Balance

1. The allowance established in the prior period carries forward for current period write-offs.

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Beginning Balance

Accounts Receivable

2. Write-off of specific accountsreceivable

2. Write-off of specific accountsreceivable

2. As specific accounts are determined uncollectible during the year, they are written-off to the allowance account as shown. These write-offs may cause the allowance account to have a debit balance before the AJE if the prior year’s expense was underestimated.

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Allowance for UncollectiblesAllowance for Uncollectibles(T-account)(T-account)


Beginning Balance

Accounts Receivable

Write-off ofaccountsreceivable

3. Ending Balance


3. The “desired ending balance” in the allowance account is estimated using the percentage calculation or the aging schedule.

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Beginning Balance

4. Recognitionof bad debt expense

Bad Debts Expense

4. Recognition of bad debt expense

Accounts Receivable


Ending Balance


4. The AJE to record the estimate of uncollectibles is calculated based on the amount necessary to achieve the “desired ending balance” in the allowance account. The focus is on the Allowance account.

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Class ProblemClass ProblemGiven the following information: At December 31, 2008, Company Z prepared

an aging schedule to determine that the uncollectible accounts receivable at that date were $18,000. The balance in the Allowance for Uncollectibles at 1/1/08 was a $3,000 credit. During 2008, the company wrote off $5,000 of specific accounts receivable that were deemed to be uncollectible.

Required: prepare the AJE to record the estimated uncollectibles at 12/31/08.

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Solution to Class ProblemsSolution to Class Problems


(1) Post the beginning balance and write-off.

(2) Post the desired ending balance.

(3) Post the adjusting journal entry.

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Manipulation of Sales and Bad Debt ExpenseManipulation of Sales and Bad Debt Expense

Financial statement users should be aware of the fact that policies may vary from company to company in recognition of sales and in estimation of bad debt expense.

Early recognition of sales (before revenue is realizable) is not GAAP, and is a violation of SEC Regulations.

Estimation of bad debt expense may vary because of legitimate reasons and the judgment of the accountants, but may also vary because of manipulation.

Users should watch for inconsistencies in the recognition of these amounts from period to period.

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Other Manipulations of Other Manipulations of Revenues and ExpensesRevenues and Expenses

Historically, managers have used estimates and AJEs to create “cookie jar reserves”, or to take a “big bath” to manipulate income statement items.

Cookie jar reserves: overestimate expense in current period, and “draw” against estimate in future periods.

Big bath: accrue a number of expenses and losses into one year, so that future years look better.

See Business Insight, page 6-10.

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Analysis of A/R and AllowanceAnalysis of A/R and Allowance

Basic analysis of the allowance account may reveal inconsistencies in bad debt estimation.

Compare change in allowance to change in A/R; growth in one with reduction in the other may indicate manipulation.

Review note in the financials relating to the allowance account; the amounts for expense and write-offs are disclosed in this section.

See Exhibit 6.4, page 6-8.

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Ratios Relating to A/R ActivityRatios Relating to A/R Activity

A/R Turnover: SalesAverage A/R

Indicates how often we “turn over” or collect our A/R. High factor is a positive indicator.

Average Collection Period (Days sales outstanding):

Average A/R Sales/365

Indicates how many days A/R are outstanding. Shorter periods are desirable.

Documents

Chapter 6: Reporting & Analyzing Operating Assets Part 1: Accounts Receivable