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: 2020-02-21), 10-K (filing date: 2019-02-21), 10-K (filing date: 2018-02-15), 10-K (filing date: 2017-02-23), 10-K (filing date: 2016-02-18).
1 2019 Calculation
Allowance as a percentage of receivables, gross = 100 × Allowance for doubtful accounts and estimated returns ÷ Receivables, gross
= 100 × 76 ÷ 1,516 = 5.01%
| Financial ratio | Description | The company |
|---|---|---|
| Allowance as a percentage of receivables, gross | Allowance for doubtful accounts divided by the gross accounts receivable. | Colgate-Palmolive Co.’s allowance as a percentage of receivables, gross increased from 2017 to 2018 but then slightly decreased from 2018 to 2019 not reaching 2017 level. |