In an effort to boost sales in the current year, Roy\'s Gym has
implemented a new program where members do not have to pay for their
annual membership until the end of the year. The program seems to have
substantially increased membership and revenues. Below are year-end
amounts.
MembershipRevenues AccountsReceivable
Last year $ 112,000 $ 5,400
Current year 310,000 141,000
Arnold, the owner, realizes that many members have not paid their
annual membership fees by the end of the year. However, Arnold believes
that no allowance for uncollectible accounts should be reported in the
current year because none of the nonpaying members\' accounts have
proven uncollectible. Arnold wants to use the direct write-off method to
record bad debts, waiting until the end of next year before writing off
any accounts.
Required:
1. Do you agree with Arnold\'s reasoning for not reporting any allowance for future uncollectible accounts?
2.
Suppose that similar programs in the past have resulted in uncollectible
accounts of approximately 80%. If Arnold uses the allowance method,
what should be the balance of allowance for uncollectible accounts at
the end of the current year?
3. Based
on your answer in Part 2, for what amount will total assets and
expenses be misstated in the current year if Arnold uses the direct
write-off method? Ignore tax effects.
