Gill Co. prepared an aging of its accounts receivable at December 31, 20x5, and determined that the net realizable value of the receivables was $278889. Additional information is available as follows:

Bad debt expense for 20x5	$4653
Accounts written off as uncollectible during 20x5	10397
Accounts receivable at December 31, 20x5	331524
Uncollectible accounts recovery during 20x5	3111

What was the credit balance in the allowance for doubtful accounts at Jan 1, 20x5?

a. $54177

b. $281522

c. $334157

d. $55268