Question
Interpreting the Accounts receivable Footnote Hewlett-Packard Company (HPQ) reports the following in its 2012 10-K report. October 31 (in millions) 2012 2011 Accounts receivable, net
Interpreting the Accounts receivable Footnote Hewlett-Packard Company (HPQ) reports the following in its 2012 10-K report.
October 31 (in millions) | 2012 | 2011 |
---|---|---|
Accounts receivable, net | $16,407 | $18,224 |
HPQ footnotes to its 10-K provide the following additional information relating to its allowance for doubtful accounts.
For the fiscal years ended October 31 (in millions) | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 |
---|---|---|---|
Allowance for doubtful accounts-accounts receivable | |||
Balance, beginning of period | $ 470 | $ 525 | $ 629 |
Increase in allowance from acquisition | -- | 27 | 7 |
Addition of bad debts provision | 100 | 23 | 80 |
Deductions, net of recoveries | (106) | (105) | (191) |
Balance, end of period | $ 464 | $ 470 | $ 525 |
(a) What is the gross amount of accounts receivables for HPQ in fiscal 2012 and 2011?
($ millions) | 2012 | 2011 |
---|---|---|
Gross accounts receivable |
(b)What is the percentage of the allowance for doubtful accounts to gross accounts receivable for 2012 and 2011? (Round your answers to two decimal places.)
($ millions) | 2012 | 2011 |
---|---|---|
Percentage of uncollectible accounts to gross accounts receivable |
(c)What amount of bad debts expense did HPQ report each year 2010 through 2012 (ignore increase in allowance from acquisitions)? What amount was actually written off?
($ millions) | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 |
---|---|---|---|
Bad debt expense | |||
Amounts actually written off |
Which of the following statements describes how bad debts expense compares with the amounts of its accounts receivable actually written off?
Generally, HP has overestimated its accruals, which has deflated profit by the over-accrual of bad debts.
Generally, HP has underestimated its accruals, which has inflated profit by the under-accrual of bad debts.
The difference between bad debt expense and write-off during the three years is insignificant so it appears that profit has been fairly stated.
The difference between bad debt expense and write-off during the three years has inflated HPQ's cash flows reported.
(d)Compute HPQ's write-offs as a percentage of the allowance account at the beginning of the year. (Round your answers to two decimal places) 2012 write-offs as a percentage of beginning of year allowance: Answer% 2011 write-offs as a percentage of beginning of year allowance: Answer%
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