What method is allowed under U.S. GAAP to estimate uncollectible accounts receivable? - Universal CPA Review (2024)

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What method is allowed under U.S. GAAP to estimate uncollectible accounts receivable? - Universal CPA Review? ›

Under U.S. GAAP, only the allowance method is an allowable method to estimate uncollectible accounts receivable. The allowance method recognizes bad debt expense when the company believes there is a high likelihood the receivable will not be collected, which follows the matching principle.

The direct method treats a bad account as an expense when it's clear that you can't collect it and is required for federal income tax purposes. The allowance method is the other way to account for bad debt and is preferred by professional accountants as the more accurate way to handle uncollectible receivables.

Estimating uncollectible receivables involves predicting the amount of a company's current outstanding accounts receivable that will not be paid by customers. This is typically done using one of two methods: the allowance method and the direct write-off method.

The percentage of sales method and the accounts receivable aging method are the two most common ways to estimate uncollectible accounts.

There are two fundamental methods for handling these uncollectible accounts: the direct write-off method and the allowance method.

Under U.S. GAAP, only the allowance method is an allowable method to estimate uncollectible accounts receivable.

Explanation: GAAP does not allow the use of the direct write-off method. It violates the matching principle by not properly recording bad debt expense in the same period as the related sale.

The allowance for uncollectible accounts is calculated by multiplying the receivable balance in the various aging categories (see table below) by a reserve rate. A higher reserve rate is applied to older receivables because those receivables are less likely to be collected.

Uncollectible accounts are recorded using one of two methods: the direct write-off method, or the allowance method. The allowance method is an estimate of the amount the company expects will be uncollectible made by debiting bad debt expense and crediting allowance for uncollectible accounts.

The percentage-of-receivables method estimates uncollectible accounts by determining the estimated net realizable value of accounts receivable, so many accountants refer to this as the balance-sheet method.

Which method of accounting for uncollectible accounts receivable uses an estimate based on a percentage of sales? ›

Percentage-of-receivables approach

This approach looks at the balance of accounts receivable at the end of the period and assumes that a certain amount will not be collected. Accounts receivable is reported on the balance sheet; thus, it is also known as the balance sheet approach.

The allowance method estimates the uncollectible accounts receivable at the end of the accounting period. Based on this estimate, Bad Debt Expense is recorded by an adjustment.

Explanation: The Aging of Accounts Receivable method is generally considered more accurate in estimating uncollectible accounts compared to the Percentage of Credit Sales method. This method involves categorizing outstanding accounts by age and applying different percentages based on the likelihood of collection.

Percentage-of-receivables method The percentage-of-receivables method estimates uncollectible accounts by determining the desired size of the Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts. Rankin would multiply the ending balance in Accounts Receivable by a rate (or rates) based on its uncollectible accounts experience.

Two methods of accounting for uncollectible accounts are the direct write-off method and the allowance method.

Under the direct write off method, when a small business determines an invoice is uncollectible they can debit the Bad Debts Expense account and credit Accounts Receivable immediately. This eliminates the revenue recorded as well as the outstanding balance owed to the business in the books.

According to US GAAP, the company's accounts receivable balance must be stated at “net realizable value”. In basic terms, this just means that the accounts receivable balance presented in the company's financial statements must be equal to the amount of cash they expect to collect from customers.

GAAP prefers the accrual accounting method because it records sales at the time they occur, which provides a clearer insight into a company's performance and actual sales trends as opposed to just when payment is received.

If the individual is unable to fulfill the obligation, the outstanding balance must be written off after collection attempts have occurred. Asset/Liability Reconciliation Guidelines require that accounts receivable object codes be reconciled monthly, assuming monthly activity has been posted.

Since bad debts may take time to be recognized as uncollectible, the allowance method will better estimate the true value of Accounts Receivable rather than the direct method where bad debts are expensed when they are determined to be in default.