How to Account for Bad Debt Expense
Service2Client

How to Account for Bad Debt ExpenseBad debt expense is an important concept that businesses must account for when it comes to their financial reporting. Regardless of the timeframe a company accounts for, it helps companies determine what portion of their receivables are collectible and what portion are not – and therefore, a bad debt expense. Depending on the receivables’ amount, this bad debt expense can take the form of either the allowance method or the direct write-off method.

Direct Write-Off Method Explained

While a company can see its receivables increase quickly, collections of these receivables might not be possible in the future due to client defaults. The direct write-off method is recommended for accounts with nominal amounts in question. A company’s receivables account sees an immediate write-off with this method. This lowers a company’s revenue, reducing net income. When it comes to accounting for it properly, the journal entry for the direct write-off method is as follows:

 
Description Debit Credit
Bad Debt Expense $500  
Accounts Receivable – ABC Business   $500

Description: Uncollectible ABC Account

Therefore, the journal entry would debit $500 to the Bad Debt Expense and credit $500 to the Accounts Receivable for the ABC Account.

Allowance Method

When it comes to more substantive or material amounts, businesses are inclined to use the Allowance Method because it’s set up to interact well with contra asset accounts that offset accounts receivable. Reported on the balance sheet, a contra asset account has an opposite balance to accounts receivable, and the journal entry is as follows:

Assets

Cash: $500,000

Accounts receivable: $300,000

Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts: $25,000

Equipment: $200,000

Less Accumulated Depreciation: $5,000

Building: $100,000

Less Accumulated Depreciation: $15,000

Since there’s zero impact on income statement accounts, contra accounts are advantageous for companies to use since the revenues aren’t lowered from a direct loss that bad debt expenses can cause with other methods.

When it comes to the Allowance Method in action, the three components are as follows:

First Step: Assess the uncollectible receivables

This is done by either determining the percentage of sales or by the percentage of receivables.

Percentage of Sales Method

This is usually determined by taking a percentage of either net or total credit sales. It’s generally dictated by past trends (both internal and macro economy forecast). For example, 2 percent of $10,000,000 = $200,000.

Percentage of Receivables

This method works by looking at the aging schedule for receivables, including those that are due but not yet late. For example, the receivables that are not late but not yet paid can have a low percentage for the particular bucket. Each successive and later bucket of unpaid receivables would require a higher percentage estimated as uncollectible.

Second Step: Journal entries are notated by entering the bad debt expense as a debit and the allowance for doubtful accounts as a credit.

Third Step: After an account is considered permanently uncollectible, the last two entries are as follows:

Description Debit Credit
Bad Debt Expense $250  
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts   $250
Description Debit Credit
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts $250  
Accounts Receivable – ABC Business   $250

Conclusion: The Importance of Calculating Bad Debt Expense

When it comes to determining a company’s results, it is required in their financial statements. If a company does not include this information, their assets could be inflated, potentially leading to overstating their net income. Calculating bad debt expense also helps companies determine which customers have defaulted on past bills, while at the same time highlighting customers that pay on time.

When it comes to accounting for bad debt expense, businesses that are experts at the two methods can effectively navigate the needs of internal and external audiences.


Disclaimer 

Have any questions, give us a call here at Metro Tax & Financial Services.
We are here to help you get through the stress of taxes!

We offer a free 30-minute consultation so call us and let’s get your appointment set up (928) 680-1444

For more Tax Facts make sure you are following us on Facebook

Click HERE for more Tax Facts and Financial News

Suggested Articles

Securing Client Data: The Importance of Encrypted Apps

The Salt Typhoon cyberattack is among recent cyberattacks that reaffirm the urgent need for robust data security measures. This attack targeted major telecommunications providers, compromising critical infrastructure and potentially exposing vast amounts of sensitive...

Valuation Ratio Calculating the EV / 2P

When it comes to analyzing a company’s financials, there are many avenues we can take. One way is through multiples; calculating the EV/2P multiple is the focus of this analysis.This ratio looks at a business' enterprise value against its proven and probable 2P...

Tax Fact: Employee or My Own Boss

Should I be an employee or be my own boss? Everyone needs income to live and support their family. Question is should I be an employee, or should I be my own boss? There are pros and cons to both. As an employee, you are subject to fewer taxes (7.65%) being taken out...

Basics of Small Business Accounting:

There are lots of different reasons to be here, but we’re sure learning more of the basics of small business accounting is a great start! If you’re reading this, you’ve probably considered opening up your very own business. Or maybe you’re interested in learning more...

Cash Flow Available for Debt Service (CFADS)

When it comes to the risk of default, Moody's found that during COVID-19, American businesses had a 7.8 percent chance of defaulting. This is compared to a low of 4 percent in 2021, but lower than the current 9.2 percent risk of default, according to a March 2025...

Tax Fact: Financial Tips

It's Tax Fact Tuesday!I We would like to share with you some financial tips... some you may have never thought of......When is a good time to focus on your financial health? I am going to say... NOW Get paid what you're worth and spend less than you earn. That may...

6 Tax Filing Tips & Important Info for 2025

As Benjamin Franklin said, there’s only two certainties in life: death and taxes. With the former, you don’t have much control over; however, the latter can be affected. That’s why we’re here to give you some tips and info about filing in our...

Tax Fact: Does buying or selling a house affect my Taxes?

How does buying or selling a house affect my taxes? Whether you are buying or selling a house, the process can be quite stressful, especially when thinking about potential tax implications. Buying a House- The new Closing Disclosure Form is one of the most important...

Tax Fact: Do you need an Accountant?

As a business owner, an accountant can help you handle growth transitions, such as hiring employees or taking on more office space. They'll look after the detail (payroll, employee tax management, property tax, utility payments, and so on), leaving you free to look at...

Understanding Carbon Accounting

Also known as greenhouse gas (GHG) accounting, carbon accounting is a way for managers and analysts to measure a company's total carbon emissions. It's a comprehensive approach to analyze how a company uses energy for its buildings, offices, conveyances and...