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The reserve for bad debts is a provision set aside for debts (debtors) in the balance sheet that might not be collectable. This provision can be either specific or general: * Specific bad debt provision - a provision set aside for specific or identified individual debts considered not collectable. This provision is allowable for tax deduction * General bad debt provision - a provision set aside for non specific debts, it might be for eexample 100% of all debts over 90 days old and 50% of debts over 60 days old. It is a general provision to cover the fact if any of these debts go bad and is not an allowable deduction for tax purposes

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Q: Reserve for doubtful debts definition in accounting?
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Why it is good accounting practice to provide for doubtful debts?

to emphasize asset valuation


Which account is opened for provision for doubtful debts?

Provison for doubtful debts, under liabiliity, will be created by debiting bad debts account.


Provision for doubtful debts?

is where you make provision for personal that is might no pat there debts


Journal entries of provision for doubtful debts?

The provision for doubtful debts is also known as the provision for bad debts and the allowance for doubtful accounts.The provision for doubtful debts is identical to the allowance for doubtful accounts. The provision is the estimated amount of bad debt that will arise from accounts receivable that have not yet been collected. The provision is used under accrual basis accounting, so that an expense is recognized for probable bad debts as soon as invoices are issued to customers, rather than waiting several months to find out exactly which invoices turned out to be bad debts. Thus, the net impact of the provision is to accelerate the recognition of bad debts.You typically estimate the amount of bad debt based on historical experience, and charge this amount to expense with a debit to the bad debt expense account (which appears in the income statement) and a credit in the provision for doubtful debts account (which appears in the balance sheet). You should make this entry in the same period when you bill the customer, so thatrevenues are matched with all applicable expenses (as per the matching principle).The provision for doubtful debts is an accounts receivable contra account, so it should always have a credit balance, and is listed in the balance sheet directly below the accounts receivable line item.Later, when you identify a specific customer invoice that is not going to be paid, you eliminate it against the provision for doubtful debts. This can be done with a journal entry that debits the provision for doubtful debts and credits the accounts receivable account; this merely nets out two accounts within the balance sheet, and has no impact on the income statement. If you are using accounting software, you would create a credit memo in the amount of the unpaid invoice, which creates the same journal entry for you.


What concept is used in allowance for doubtful debts?

Prudence concept

Related questions

Why it is good accounting practice to provide for doubtful debts?

to emphasize asset valuation


How do you prepare an adjusting journal entry to record bad debts expense?

Bad debts DR Allowance for doubtful debt CR Some accounting practioners may use provison for doubtful debts instead of allowance for doubtful debts. Example of bad debts, suppose a customer was unable to pay their debts totalling $150. This will be the journal entry for the transaction: Bad debts 150 Allowance for doubtful debts 150


Which account is opened for provision for doubtful debts?

Provison for doubtful debts, under liabiliity, will be created by debiting bad debts account.


Provision for doubtful debts?

is where you make provision for personal that is might no pat there debts


What is reserve and provision?

A provision is a charge against the profits of a Company (or a set-aside) while a reserve is a transfer of profits. You could also call reserve a book entry, or a below the line adjustment. Provision is made irrespective of profits, for instance, a provision against Bad and Doubtful debts. A reserve is created out of, and only if there exists, profits.


Journal entries of provision for doubtful debts?

The provision for doubtful debts is also known as the provision for bad debts and the allowance for doubtful accounts.The provision for doubtful debts is identical to the allowance for doubtful accounts. The provision is the estimated amount of bad debt that will arise from accounts receivable that have not yet been collected. The provision is used under accrual basis accounting, so that an expense is recognized for probable bad debts as soon as invoices are issued to customers, rather than waiting several months to find out exactly which invoices turned out to be bad debts. Thus, the net impact of the provision is to accelerate the recognition of bad debts.You typically estimate the amount of bad debt based on historical experience, and charge this amount to expense with a debit to the bad debt expense account (which appears in the income statement) and a credit in the provision for doubtful debts account (which appears in the balance sheet). You should make this entry in the same period when you bill the customer, so thatrevenues are matched with all applicable expenses (as per the matching principle).The provision for doubtful debts is an accounts receivable contra account, so it should always have a credit balance, and is listed in the balance sheet directly below the accounts receivable line item.Later, when you identify a specific customer invoice that is not going to be paid, you eliminate it against the provision for doubtful debts. This can be done with a journal entry that debits the provision for doubtful debts and credits the accounts receivable account; this merely nets out two accounts within the balance sheet, and has no impact on the income statement. If you are using accounting software, you would create a credit memo in the amount of the unpaid invoice, which creates the same journal entry for you.


How do you calculate new provision for doubtful debts?

In the P and L A/C calculate the percentage mentioned for provision for doubtful debts on sundry debtors and write the amount. This will be your new provision


The effects of bad and doubtful debts on the profitability of a commercial banks in nigeria?

Bad and doubtful debts decrease the amounts of profits that a commercial bank in Nigeria can make. Because the banks cannot collect these debts, they make significant losses.


What concept is used in allowance for doubtful debts?

Prudence concept


What is the FRS governing provision for doubtful debts?

frs 18


Why bad debts comes on asset side?

The Allowance for Doubtful Account is on the asset side of the balance sheet because this account is a contra account to accounts receivable. In accrual accounting there is an assumption that not all receivables will be paid.


How does relevance of the concept of prudence to bad debts and the provision for doubtful debts?

The prudence concept assumes that the worst can happen and tries to account for it in the accounts. The provision for doubtful debts is an estimated percentage of debtors that are not expected to pay during the year. All the debtors may pay up during the year, meaning that the provision for doubtful debts was unnecessary, but it still lets the companies account for any possible bad debts during the year.