For several years, sales have been on a "cash only" basis. On January 1, 2004, however, Sheepshank Co. began offering credit on terms of n/30. The amount of the adjusting entry to record the estimated uncollectible receivables at the end of each year has been ¼ of 1% of credit sales, which is the rate reported as the average for the industry. Credit sales and the year-end credit balances in Allowance for Doubtful Accounts for the past four years are as follows:

Carisa Parker, president of Sheepshank Co., is concerned that the method used to account for and write off uncollectible receivables is unsatisfactory. She has asked for your advice in the analysis of past operations in this area and for recommendations for change.
1. Determine the amount of (a) the addition to Allowance for Doubtful Accounts and (b) the accounts written off for each of the four years.
2. a. Advise Carisa Parker as to whether the estimate of ¼ of 1% of credit sales appears reasonable.
b. Assume that after discussing (a) with Carisa Parker, she asked you what action might be taken to determine what the balance of Allowance for Doubtful Accounts should be at December 31, 2007, and what possible changes, if any, you might recommend in accounting for uncollectible receivables. How would yourespond?

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Allowance for Doubtful Accounts $5,100 11,100 16,850 25,375 Credit Sales Year 2004 2005 2006 2007 $7,800,000 8,000,000 8,100,000 9,250,000