Intermediate Accounting (2nd Edition)
Intermediate Accounting (2nd Edition)
2nd Edition
ISBN: 9780134730370
Author: Elizabeth A. Gordon, Jana S. Raedy, Alexander J. Sannella
Publisher: PEARSON
bartleby

Concept explainers

bartleby

Videos

Textbook Question
Book Icon
Chapter 3, Problem 3.2E

Cognitive Bias. A team of accounting students is working on a case where they are required to assess a set of information to determine a company’s allowance for bad debts. The students have many pieces of information to analyze, including

The company’s allowance for bad debts has been 5% of its receivables for the last several years

This year, the company has strengthened its credit extension policy.

The average time that an accounts receivable has been outstanding has increased from 40 to 50 days this year.

The economy has weakened over the year, with a pending recession.

Following is part of the discussion at their first team meeting. Analyze the discussion and determine the type of cognitive bias most consistent with the statements made by each student, providing an explanation for your answer.

Discussion

Tom initiated the discussion saying, “I have seen this kind of situation before when a company has to report a higher allowance than last year. Allowances are always increasing.”

Jennifer offered. “The first piece of information in the case is always the most important.

The bad debts have historically been 5%. Therefore, the allowance has to be 5%.”

Jake added, “As I look at the case, I keep coming back to the fact that the average time that an account receivable has been outstanding has increased by 10 days. In my view, this is the most important piece of information—the other facts don’t matter.”

Manna’s view was, “Even though the economy has deteriorated, the historical data is always more important. The general trends in the economy are not relevant.”

Blurred answer
Students have asked these similar questions
You joined Henderson Technology Limited as accounting manager recently.  In a management meeting, William Buckle, the managing director, expressed his concern on an amount due from Hunters Limited, which is long overdue and is unlikely to be recoverable. In a review of the aged debtors report, you found that over 40% of the debtors have overdue accounts.  You also noted that there is no control system in place.  You believe a better credit control system would help.        You are required to prepare notes for your meeting with William, to outline the objective of having a control system in place, and the key points of a credit control system that would help to reduce overdue accounts.
2
Hi I'm copying this question from my school text, the version of which you don't have on your site. I can't seem to get to the given answer....   Liang Company began operations in Year 1. During it's first two years, the company completed a number of transactions involveing sales on credit, accounts receivable collections and bad debts. These transactions are summarized as follows.   Year 1  a. Sold $1,345,434 of merchandise (that had costs $975,000) on credit, terms n/30. b. Wrote off $18,300 of uncollectivle accounts receivable c. Received $669,200 cash in payments of acccounts receivable. d. In adjusting the accounts on Decmeber 31, the company estimated that 1.5% of accounts receivable would be uncollectible. We are to prepare the journal entries to record Liang's Summariezed trasnsactions and its year end adjustments to record bad debts expenses. The company uses the perpectual inventory system and it applies the allowance method for it's accounts receiveable. Round to the nearest…
Knowledge Booster
Background pattern image
Accounting
Learn more about
Need a deep-dive on the concept behind this application? Look no further. Learn more about this topic, accounting and related others by exploring similar questions and additional content below.
Similar questions
SEE MORE QUESTIONS
Recommended textbooks for you
Text book image
CONCEPTS IN FED.TAX., 2020-W/ACCESS
Accounting
ISBN:9780357110362
Author:Murphy
Publisher:CENGAGE L
Text book image
College Accounting, Chapters 1-27
Accounting
ISBN:9781337794756
Author:HEINTZ, James A.
Publisher:Cengage Learning,
Text book image
Cornerstones of Cost Management (Cornerstones Ser...
Accounting
ISBN:9781305970663
Author:Don R. Hansen, Maryanne M. Mowen
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Text book image
Essentials of Business Analytics (MindTap Course ...
Statistics
ISBN:9781305627734
Author:Jeffrey D. Camm, James J. Cochran, Michael J. Fry, Jeffrey W. Ohlmann, David R. Anderson
Publisher:Cengage Learning
Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable; Author: The Finance Storyteller;https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_aUWbQa878;License: Standard Youtube License