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.
| Bad Debts A/c | Debit | Debit the increase in expense. |
| To Provision for Doubtful Debts A/c | Credit | Credit the increase in liability. |
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:
- Trading A/c: No effect.
- Profit and Loss A/c: Debited to P&L A/c and charged as an expense.
- Balance Sheet: Deducted from Debtors.
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:
| Bad Debts A/c | 2,500 |
| To Provision for Doubtful Debts A/c | 2,500 |
Effect on financial statements will be:
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Generally, Assets are classified into two types. Non-Current Assets Current Assets Non-Current Asset Noncurrent assets are also known as Fixed assets. These assets are an organization's long-term investments that are not easily converted to cash or are not expected to become cash within an acRead more
Generally, Assets are classified into two types.
Non-Current Asset
Noncurrent assets are also known as Fixed assets. These assets are an organization’s long-term investments that are not easily converted to cash or are not expected to become cash within an accounting year.
In general terms, In accounting, fixed assets are assets that cannot be converted into cash immediately. They are primarily tangible assets used in production having a useful life of more than one accounting period. Unlike current assets or liquid assets, fixed assets are for the purpose of deriving long-term benefits.
Unlike other assets, fixed assets are written off differently as they provide long-term income. They are also called “long-lived assets” or “Property Plant & Equipment”.
Examples of Fixed Assets
Valuation of Fixed asset
fixed assets are recorded at their net book value, which is the difference between the “historical cost of the asset” and “accumulated depreciation”.
“Net book value = Historical cost of the asset – Accumulated depreciation”
Example:
Hasley Co. purchases Furniture for their company at a price of 1,00,000. The Furniture has a constant depreciation of 10,000 per year. So, after 5 years, the net book value of the computer will be recorded as
1,00,000 – (5 x 10,000) = 50,000.
Therefore, the furniture value should be shown as 50,000 on the balance sheet.
Presentation in the Balance Sheet
Both current assets and non-current assets are shown on the asset side(Right side) of the balance sheet.
Difference between Current Asset and Non-Current Asset
Current assets are the resources held for a short period of time and are mainly used for trading purposes whereas Fixed assets are assets that last for a long time and are acquired for continuous use by an entity.
The purpose to spend on fixed assets is to generate income over the long term and the purpose of the current assets is to spend on fixed assets to generate income over the long term.
At the time of the sale of fixed assets, there is a capital gain or capital loss but at the time of the sale of current assets, there is an operating gain or operating loss.
The main difference between the fixed asset and current asset is, although both are shown in the balance sheet fixed assets are depreciated every year and it is valued by (the cost of the asset – depreciation) and current asset is valued as per their current market value or cost value, whichever is lower.
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