Allowance for Credit Losses
Candlefocus EditorThe allowance helps to bridge the gap between the full amount a company expects to receive from customers and the amount they can reasonably collect. Additionally, it limits the amount of estimated future income the company is allowed to report on its financial statement by taking expected losses into account as part of its accounting process.
The allowance for credit losses is calculated using a variety of methods, such as historical debt data, specific-industry benchmarks, and current market conditions. This ensures the amount of the allowance is accurate and reflective of what can reasonably be expected to be collected from the customer. Companies will also use internal data derived from accounting systems to get a more precise idea of the allowance.
The allowance for credit losses is a necessary accounting tool for any company that engages in any form of credit operations. Without the allowance, companies would have to rely purely on their historical performance to predict future profits and losses. The allowance also allows companies to be more precise in their assessment of receivable accounts, by allowing them to account for expected non-payment of invoices in their financial statements.
This system provides a more honest portrayal of a company’s future prospects, as it considers both positive and negative revenue outcomes. As such, the allowance for credit losses is usually an accurate way to determine if a company will post a profit or a loss in the near future.