Bad And Doubtful Debts In Accounting: Complete Masterclass

Master Bad & Doubtful Debts in Financial Accounting with IAS 8, IAS 10, Complete Accounting,Risk management & Prevention

What you'll learn

Understand the concept of bad debts — what they are, why they occur, and how they impact businesses and financial statements.

Record bad debts accurately — apply both the direct write-off method and the allowance method with proper journal entries.

Analyze the financial impact — assess how bad debts affect the income statement, balance sheet, and key accounting ratios.

Estimate and manage doubtful accounts — use methods like percentage of sales and aging of accounts receivable to calculate provisions.

Account for recoveries of bad debts — reinstate previously written-off receivables and record them correctly in the books.

Apply practical accounting best practices — confidently handle bad debt transactions in real-world business or academic scenarios.

Apply international standards — understand how IAS 8 and IAS 10 influence the treatment and disclosure of bad debts.

Requirements

No prior accounting experience is required — this course is designed to be beginner-friendly.

A basic understanding of financial statements (income statement and balance sheet) is helpful but not essential.

An interest in accounting, business, or financial management will make the learning experience more engaging.

Description

Master the Essentials of Bad Debt Accounting: Recognition, Recording, and RecoveryBad debts are an unavoidable part of business, but knowing how to identify, record, and manage them correctly is what separates strong financial practices from weak ones. In this comprehensive course, you’ll gain a clear, practical understanding of how bad debts impact financial statements, why they occur, and the best accounting methods to handle them.Whether you’re a student learning accounting fundamentals, a business owner managing receivables, or an aspiring professional looking to sharpen your finance skills, this course will give you the tools and confidence to deal with bad debts accurately and efficiently.What You’ll Learn:Foundations of Bad DebtWhat bad debt means and why it occursReal-world examples of uncollectible accountsAccounting for Bad DebtsThe direct write-off method explained step by stepThe allowance method and why it’s preferred under GAAP/IFRSRecording journal entries for bad debts and provisionsImpact on Financial StatementsHow bad debt affects income statements, balance sheets, and cash flowKey ratios and metrics influenced by receivables managementEstimation TechniquesPercentage of sales methodAging of accounts receivable methodChoosing the right approach for different scenariosRecovery of Bad DebtsReinstating written-off accountsBest practices for accurate and ethical reportingWhy This Course?Clear explanations with professional accounting contextPractical examples you can apply immediatelyStep-by-step breakdowns of journal entries and calculationsIdeal for beginners and intermediate learners in finance, business, and accountingBy the end of this course, you’ll understand not only how to account for bad debts but also how to present them properly in financial statements—an essential skill for anyone in business, bookkeeping, or accounting.

Overview

Section 1: Introduction to Bad and Doubtful Debts

Lecture 1 What are Bad Debts?

Lecture 2 Why Record Bad Debts?

Lecture 3 Why Businesses face Bad Debts?

Section 2: Accounting for Bad Debts

Lecture 4 Journal entries for Bad Debts

Lecture 5 Example transactions and walkthroughs

Lecture 6 Bad Debts Account - Ledger

Section 3: Provision for Doubtful Debts

Lecture 7 What are Provision for Doubtful Debts?

Lecture 8 Different Methods of Estimating Doubtful Debts

Lecture 9 Types of Provision - Specific and General

Lecture 10 Receivable A/c, Understanding Opening & Closing Balances

Lecture 11 Increase & Decrease in Provision for Doubtful Debts

Lecture 12 Provision for Doubtful Debts Account & Adjusting Entries

Lecture 13 Differences between Bad Debts & Doubtful Debts

Section 4: Bad Debt Recovery

Lecture 14 What is a Bad Debt Recovery?

Lecture 15 Journal Entries and Treatment in Accounts

Lecture 16 Illustrative Examples - Bad Debt Recovery

Section 5: Bad & Doubtful Debts in Financial Statements

Lecture 17 Impact of Bad & Doubtful Debts on Income Statement

Lecture 18 Impact of Bad & Doubtful Debts on Balance Sheet

Lecture 19 Impact of Bad & Doubtful Debts on Cash Flow Statement

Section 6: Advanced Accounting Applications

Lecture 20 IAS 10: Events After Reporting Period - A Bad Debt Perspective only!

Lecture 21 IAS 08: Changes in Accounting Estimates & Policies - A Bad Debt Perspective only

Lecture 22 Time Barred Debts

Section 7: Risk Management & Prevention

Lecture 23 Credit Policies and Creditworthiness Analysis

Lecture 24 Use of Credit Ratings and Scoring Systems

Lecture 25 Collateral, Guarantees, and Insurance against Bad Debts

Lecture 26 Internal Controls to Reduce Doubtful Debts

Beginner students who need a simple, step-by-step introduction to bad debts and journal entries.,Accounting and finance students who need a clear, step-by-step guide to understanding bad debts and related journal entries.,Small business owners and entrepreneurs who manage their own books and want to properly account for uncollectible receivables.,Bookkeepers and aspiring accountants looking to strengthen their knowledge of accounts receivable, provisions, and debt recovery.,Professionals preparing for exams or certifications who want to connect bad debt accounting with international standards such as IAS 8 and IAS 10.,Anyone interested in finance or business who wants to understand how bad debts affect financial statements and decision-making.