Question

Swathmore Clothing Corporation grants its customers 30 days’ credit. The company uses the allowance method for its uncollectible accounts receivable. During the year, a monthly bad debt accrual is made by multiplying 2% times the amount of credit sales for the month. At the fiscal year-end of December 31, an aging of accounts receivable schedule is prepared and the allowance for uncollectible accounts is adjusted accordingly.

At the end of 2020, accounts receivable were $610,000 and the allowance account had a credit balance of $74,000. Accounts receivable activity for 2021 was as follows:

Beginning balance	$	610,000
Credit sales		2,800,000
Collections		(2,663,000	)
Write-offs		(57,000	)
Ending balance	$	690,000

The company’s controller prepared the following aging summary of year-end accounts receivable:

		Summary
Age Group	Amount		Percent Uncollectible
0−60 days	$	460,000	4	%
61−90 days		78,000	15
91−120 days		67,000	26
Over 120 days		85,000	41
Total	$	690,000

Required:
1. Prepare a summary journal entry to record the monthly bad debt accrual and the write-offs during the year.
2. Prepare the necessary year-end adjusting entry for bad debt expense.
3-a. What is total bad debt expense for 2021?
3-b. How would accounts receivable appear in the 2021 balance sheet?

Answer 1