How bad debt transactions are recorded depends on the whether the entity uses the allowance (GAAP) method or the direct write-off (non-GAAP) method. Under the allowance method, the entity calculates, based on experience and other factors, an estimate of anticipated unrecovered debt for the year, and records that amount as the Allowance for Bad Debt (or Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, or Bad Debt Provision, etc.). The allowance is a contra account to Accounts Receivable, and permits receivables to be reported at their net realizable value. dr Bad Debt Expense, cr Allowance for Bad Debt. When the sale is first transacted, dr Accounts Receivable, cr Sales. When an unrecoverable amount has been determined, cr Accounts Receivable, dr Allowance for Bad Debt. Using the allowance method, the write-off of bad debt has no effect on the Profit & Loss. The entry simply removes the receivable and reduces the allowance account. If debt is subsequently paid, reverse the write-off entry, then record the receipt as usual. dr Accounts Receivable, cr Allowance for Bad Debt. dr Cash, cr Accounts Receivable If the entity uses the direct write-off method, any amount determined to be unrecoverable is posted directly to Bad Debt Expense. dr Bad Debt Expense, cr Accounts Receivable.
Under the allowance method, the cash realizable value of receivables is the same both before and after an account has been written off. True.
Under the allowance method, entry would be: Allowance for Doubtful Accounts (DR) Account Receivable (CR)
true
True
Admin expense
The direct write-off method. For tax purposes, companies must use the direct write-off method, under which bad debts are recognized only after the company is certain the debt will not be paid. Before determining that an account balance is uncollectible, a company generally makes several attempts to collect the debt from the customer. Recognizing the bad debt requires a journal entry that increases a bad debts expense account and decreases accounts receivable.
Operating Expenses are expenses that are incurred while running a business. Maintenance Expense could be considered anything from the cost of maintaining a company vehicle to repairs made on a building or some other type of "maintenance" that is require by the business in order to function at 100%. Many expenses have their own account such as, Utilities Expense, Rent Expense, Insurance Expense, Interest Expense, Supply Expense, just to name a few. Other expense may not have a specific account in which to be recorded, such as Travel Expense, Food Expense (perhaps to entertain a possible client), these expense are often listed under "Other Expenses".
It is a selling expense to be accounted for on the Income Statement under Selling Expenses.
It should be posted under operating expense.
Marketing expense is not a period cost. Typically, marketing expense will be reflected under S&A on the income statement.
Depreciation expense can be allocated to Administrative Expense or Selling & Marketing Expense or even to Cost Of Goods Sold. The amount of allocation and how that is done is specific to the type of business or industry.