We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Finance

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Are Doubtful Debts?

Malcolm Tatum
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 3,739
Share

Doubtful debts are any type of outstanding receivables that are thought to be highly unlikely of being settled by the debtor. Many companies make some type of provision for this type of debt when planning operating budgets, typically by allowing for a certain percentage of the average monthly receivables to be considered unlikely of collection. While considered different from bad debts, doubtful debts are sometimes treated in the same manner and may eventually be classed as bad if the balance is not paid and reasonable collection efforts fail.

The criteria used to class outstanding receivables as doubtful debts will vary somewhat, depending on the policies and procedures of the company. Typically, the debt will remain outstanding for a minimum of 120 days after the invoice date. During the period in which collection efforts are made, a debt may be considered doubtful. In some cases, a vendor may consider the current balance due on a client’s account as doubtful debt after learning that the company is undergoing some type of financial trouble that could impair its ability to settle that debt in a timely manner. When a customer files for bankruptcy, any balance on that client’s account that is current considered doubtful debt will be reclassified as bad debt.

In order to safeguard the financial stability of the business, companies typically have some sort of provision or allowance for doubtful debts built into their overall accounting process. This approach makes it possible to monitor the extension of credit to customers who have higher unpaid account balances that have been outstanding for an extended period of time. The measures also help to create a reasonable and typical expectation for cash flow, since debts classed as doubtful are not included in those projections. Doing so helps to minimize financial stress on the business, since the funds are not expected to be available to manage those day to day expenses.

Utilizing a structured qualification plan before extending credit to customers can help to minimize the incidence of doubtful debts. This includes running credit checks on customers from time to time and adjusting payment terms and credit limits accordingly. Monitoring the aging on each customer account will also sometimes provide information that alerts the vendor to an unfavorable trend in the tendering of payments, such as invoices slowly moving from payment within 45 days to past 60 days. By monitoring credit activity as well as invoice aging competently, businesses can help keep the level of doubtful debts within an acceptable range and protect the interests of the company.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Malcolm Tatum
By Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum, a former teleconferencing industry professional, followed his passion for trivia, research, and writing to become a full-time freelance writer. He has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGeek, and his work has also been featured in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and newspapers. When not writing, Malcolm enjoys collecting vinyl records, following minor league baseball, and cycling.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum, a former teleconferencing industry professional, followed his passion for trivia, research, and writing...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-are-doubtful-debts.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.