Unit 5 help please - Provision for doubtful debts

schnappsgirl
schnappsgirl Registered Posts: 2 New contributor 🐸
I am a bit confused with the provision for doubtful debts. Sorry for the silly question, but I would be really grateful for any advice.

At the end of the year, someone has made sales on credit of say £80k and they received £70k from these credit customers during the year. The owner then assessed his debtors and decided to make a general doubtful debt provision of 2% of his debtors. Would you say that the 2% is the 2% of the £80k or 2% of the £10k which is remaining on the debtors account?

Thanks

Comments

  • sarahwilson
    sarahwilson Registered Posts: 567 Epic contributor 🐘
    I think its the total sales, but now you've asked I'm not sure!!!
  • Toffeemadblue
    Toffeemadblue Registered Posts: 102 Dedicated contributor 🦉
    It is from the debtor total at the end of the year, the outstanding balance on the SLCA, which in the example quoted would be £10,000 i.e. £200
  • schnappsgirl
    schnappsgirl Registered Posts: 2 New contributor 🐸
    Thank you :-)
  • sarahwilson
    sarahwilson Registered Posts: 567 Epic contributor 🐘
    God I'm rubbish!! I must re read unit 5 this weekend!!
  • Bluewednesday
    Bluewednesday Registered Posts: 1,624 Beyond epic contributor 🧙‍♂️
    Don't worry Sarah, you've probably never made a general provision since Unit 5, I know I haven't and I took unit 5 7 years ago.
  • Toffeemadblue
    Toffeemadblue Registered Posts: 102 Dedicated contributor 🦉
    Same here, does anyone in the real world actually use them ?
  • sdv
    sdv Registered Posts: 585 Epic contributor 🐘
    Same here, does anyone in the real world actually use them ?

    Go and work for a firm of chartered accountants, or even a bookkeeping service provider or someone who is providing services to help self employed fill in thie tax returs, and it will soon come apparent whether it is being used in real world or not?
  • Bluewednesday
    Bluewednesday Registered Posts: 1,624 Beyond epic contributor 🧙‍♂️
    I work in practice - does that not count?

    As I said I've used specific provisions but not general ones
  • GreenMousey
    GreenMousey Registered Posts: 154 Dedicated contributor 🦉
    We use them and I work in the accounts office of a manufacturing company, we use both specific and general ones, the auditors recommend it.
Privacy Policy