A companys year-end balance in accounts receivable is $3,000,000. The allowance for uncollectible accounts had a beginning-of-year credit balance of $46,000. An aging of accounts receivable at the end of the year indicates a required allowance of $54,000. If bad debt expense for the year was $56,000, and if credit sales for the year were $8,500,000, and $7,500,000 was collected from credit customers, what was the beginning-of-year balance in accounts receivable?

Beginning balance in A/R?

Please explain the problem so that I can understand the concept. I could care less about the ultimate answer; the concept is what matters.