Analysis of Bad Debts
Allowance for doubtful accounts receivable (bad debts) is a contra account which reduce the balance of the company’s gross accounts receivable. The relationship between the allowance and the balance in receivables should be relatively constant unless there is a change in the economy overall or a change in customer base.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable
Based on: 10-K (filing date: 2020-02-12), 10-K (filing date: 2019-02-06), 10-K (filing date: 2018-02-07), 10-K (filing date: 2017-02-14), 10-K (filing date: 2016-02-10).
1 2019 Calculation
Allowance as a percentage of accounts receivable, gross = 100 × Allowance for doubtful accounts ÷ Accounts receivable, gross
= 100 × 30 ÷ 1,016 = 2.95%
Financial ratio | Description | The company |
---|---|---|
Allowance as a percentage of accounts receivable, gross | Allowance for doubtful accounts divided by the gross accounts receivable. | CSX Corp.’s allowance as a percentage of accounts receivable, gross decreased from 2017 to 2018 but then increased from 2018 to 2019 exceeding 2017 level. |