Microsoft Excel LibreOffice Calc

Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE)

Analysis of Bad Debts

Advanced level

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

Microsoft Excel LibreOffice Calc
Dec 31, 2019 Dec 31, 2018 Dec 31, 2017 Dec 31, 2016 Dec 31, 2015
Selected Financial Data (US$ in millions)
Allowance for doubtful accounts 527  541  584  609  384 
Trade accounts receivable, gross 9,251  8,566  8,805  8,834  8,560 
Financial Ratio
Allowance as a percentage of trade accounts receivable, gross1 5.70% 6.32% 6.63% 6.89% 4.49%

Based on: 10-K (filing date: 2020-02-27), 10-K (filing date: 2019-02-28), 10-K (filing date: 2018-02-22), 10-K (filing date: 2017-02-23), 10-K (filing date: 2016-02-29).

1 2019 Calculation
Allowance as a percentage of trade accounts receivable, gross = 100 × Allowance for doubtful accounts ÷ Trade accounts receivable, gross
= 100 × 527 ÷ 9,251 = 5.70%

Financial ratio Description The company
Allowance as a percentage of trade accounts receivable, gross Allowance for doubtful accounts divided by the gross accounts receivable. Pfizer Inc.’s allowance as a percentage of trade accounts receivable, gross decreased from 2017 to 2018 and from 2018 to 2019.