The term ‘contra’ means 'opposite'. Therefore, a contra revenue account is an account that is opposite of the revenue accounts of a business i.e. sales account. It has the opposite balance of the revenue account i.e. debit balance. The purpose of the contra revenue account is to ascertain the actuaRead more
The term ‘contra’ means ‘opposite’. Therefore, a contra revenue account is an account that is opposite of the revenue accounts of a business i.e. sales account. It has the opposite balance of the revenue account i.e. debit balance.
The purpose of the contra revenue account is to ascertain the actual amount of sales and record the items which have reduced the sales.
These are the contra revenue accounts commonly seen in businesses:
- Sales return account: This account records the amount of goods sold returned by customers. The journal entry for recording sale return is as follow:

The total sales return is deducted from the sales in the balance sheet. Though being opposite of the sales account, the sale return account is not an expense account. It is considered an indirect loss as it reduces sales.
- Sale Discount account: This account records the amount of discount allowed to customers. The journal entry for recording sale discounts is as follows:

Sales discount is an expense hence it is debited to the profit and loss account.
Sales returns and sales discounts are shown in the trading and profit and loss account in the following manner:





The provision for doubtful debts is the estimated amount of bad debts which will be uncollectible in the future. It is usually calculated as a percentage of debtors. The provision for a doubtful debt account has a credit balance and is shown in the balance sheet as a deduction from debtors. It is aRead more
The provision for doubtful debts is the estimated amount of bad debts which will be uncollectible in the future. It is usually calculated as a percentage of debtors. The provision for a doubtful debt account has a credit balance and is shown in the balance sheet as a deduction from debtors. It is a contra asset account which means an account with a credit balance.
When a business first sets up a provision for doubtful debts, the full amount of the provision should be debited to bad debts expense as follows.
In subsequent years, when provision is increased the account is credited, and when provision is decreased the account is debited. This is so because provision for doubtful debts is a contra account to debtors and has a credit balance, and is treated as a liability.
Effects of Provision for Doubtful Debts in financial statements:
For example, ABC Ltd had debtors amounting to Rs 50,000. It creates a provision of 5% on debtors.
Provision for Doubtful Debts = 50,000*5%
= 2,500
Journal entry for provision will be:
Effect on financial statements will be:
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