Bad Debt is the amount that is irrecoverable from the debtors. It is the portion of the receivables. It includes two accounts “Bad Debts A/c” and “Debtors A/c or Accounts Receivable A/c”. The amount cannot be recovered by the debtor for reasons like the debtor is no longer in the position to pay offRead more
Bad Debt is the amount that is irrecoverable from the debtors. It is the portion of the receivables. It includes two accounts “Bad Debts A/c” and “Debtors A/c or Accounts Receivable A/c”.
The amount cannot be recovered by the debtor for reasons like the debtor is no longer in the position to pay off the debt or has become insolvent.
There are two methods to write off bad debts:
- Direct Method
- Allowance for Doubtful Debts
1. Direct Method: In this method, the amount of bad debts is directly deducted from the total receivables and the second effect is transferred to the debit side of Profit and Loss A/c as an expense.
The journal entry for bad debts as per modern rules of accounting is as follows:
| Bad Debts A/c | Debit | Increase in expenses |
| To Accounts Receivable A/c | Credit | Decrease in assets |
| (Being bad debts written off ) |
Journal entry for transferring bad debts to profit and loss account:
| Profit and Loss A/c | Debit |
| To Bad Debts A/c | Credit |
| (Being bad debts transferred to profit and loss a/c ) |
For example, A Ltd had a total receivable of Rs.2,50,000 and bad debts for the period amounted to Rs.10,000.
Here, the journal entries will be:
| Bad Debts A/c | Debit | 10,000 |
| To Accounts Receivable A/c | Credit | 10,000 |
| (Being bad debts written off ) |
| Profit and Loss A/c | Debit | 10,000 |
| To Bad Debts A/c | Credit | 10,000 |
| (Being bad debts transferred to profit and loss a/c ) |
2. Allowance for Doubtful Debts: In this method allowance is the estimation of the debts which is doubtful to be paid. The company creates a reserve for such debts which are uncollectible.
Firstly, the company will create a reserve which will be based on the accounts receivable. The journal entry will be:
| Bad Debts A/c | Debit |
| To Allowance for Doubtful Debts A/c | Credit |
| (Being allowance for doubtful debts created) |
When a specific receivable is uncollectible it will be charged as an expense, and Allowance for Doubtful Debts will be “Debited” and Accounts Receivable will be “Credited”.
| Allowance for Doubtful Debts A/c | Debit |
| To Accounts Receivable A/c | Credit |
| (Being bad debts written off) |
For example, Mr.B sold goods worth Rs.15,000 to Mr.D. He creates an allowance of Rs.15,000 in case Mr.D fails to pay the amount. At the end of the period, Mr.D defaults and does not pay the debt.
In this case, Mr.B will first record the journal entry for allowance and then will write off Mr.D’s account.
| Bad Debts A/c | 15,000 |
| To Allowance for Doubtful Debts A/c | 15,000 |
| (Being allowance of Rs.10,000 created for doubtful debts) |
| Allowance for Doubtful Debts A/c | 15,000 |
| To Mr.D’s A/c | 15,000 |
| (Being Mr.D’s account written off) |






The journal entry for the closing stock is passed at the year-end as closing stock is the inventory held by a business at the end of its accounting period. However, the entry for recording closing stock depends on how it is treated in the books of accounts. The two types of the accounting treatmentRead more
The journal entry for the closing stock is passed at the year-end as closing stock is the inventory held by a business at the end of its accounting period. However, the entry for recording closing stock depends on how it is treated in the books of accounts.
The two types of the accounting treatment of closing stock are as follows:
Closing stock is not shown in the Trial Balance:
As per this treatment, the closing stock is not shown in the Trial Balance because it is already a part of the purchases of the business. Showing it in the Trial Balance would lead to a double effect. This will not give us accurate profit/loss at the end of the year.
The closing stock is transferred to Trading A/c by passing a closing entry.
Closing stock is an asset. It is debited because there is an increase in the assets. Trading A/c is credited because of the Matching concept as the value of the closing stock is adjusted against the cost of goods sold.
At the end of the year, it is shown on the Asset side of the Balance Sheet, under the head Current Assets and sub-head Inventory.
For example,
ABC Ltd. at the beginning of the year had an opening inventory of 20,000. During the year, purchases worth 5,000 were made and goods worth 10,000 were sold. At the end of the year, the value of the closing stock will be 15,000 (20,000 + 5,000 – 10,000).
Now the closing stock worth 15,000 will be recorded through this journal entry:
Closing stock is shown in the Trial Balance:
This scenario is possible only when the closing stock is adjusted against purchases. By adjusting against purchases, the double effect of showing both purchases and closing stock in Trial Balance is eliminated.
The following entry is recorded to adjust closing stock against purchases.
Closing Stock is debited as there is an increase in the asset. Purchase A/c is credited because of the Matching concept.
After recording the adjustment entry, the closing stock is shown on the debit column of the Trial Balance. It is not shown in the Trading A/c as it is already adjusted against purchases. In the Balance Sheet, it is shown as a Current Asset.
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