Estimating Bad Debts Expense and Reporting Receivables

At December 31, Barber Company had a balance of $420,000 in its accounts receivable and an unused bal-ance of $2,600 in its allowance for uncollectible accounts. The company then aged its accounts as follows.

Current ....................... $346,000

160 days past due ............. 48,000

61180 days past due ........... 17,000

Over 180 days past due .......... 9,000

Total accounts receivable......... $420,000

The company has experienced losses as follows: 1% of current balances, 5% of balances 160 days past due, 15% of balances 61180 days past due, and 40% of balances over 180 days past due. The company continues to base its allowance for uncollectible accounts on this aging analysis and percentages.

a. What amount of bad debts expense does Barber report on its income statement for the year?

b. Show how Barbers December 31 balance sheet will report the accounts receivable and the allowance for uncollectible accounts.