Contra Asset Examples, How a Contra Asset Account Works

Therefore, for these three, the debit balance actually represents a negative amount. The first time a contra asset account is recorded in a journal entry, it is to be deducted from the expense. For example, when the credit amount in allowance for doubtful accounts increases, it is also recorded in the bad debt expense as a debit increase.

The net value of both these figures is usually reported on a third line. If the balance in your allowance for doubtful accounts has a credit of $1,000 and your accounts receivable has $20,000 in normal debit balance, then the net value of the receivables is $19,000. Showing contra assets on your balance sheet allows potential investors to see how you write-down a depreciable asset, such as a piece of equipment. Contra assets give investors a better picture of how you use your assets over time. The reason you show a contra asset on a balance sheet is so you can see the overall net balance of a particular asset and to give investors a more accurate look into your company’s financial activity.

GAAP, the allowance for doubtful accounts represents management’s estimate of the percentage of “uncollectible” accounts receivable (i.e. the credit purchases from customers that are not expected to be paid). Still, the dollar amounts are separately broken out in the supplementary sections most of the time for greater transparency in financial reporting. financial ratios complete list and guide to all financial ratios The sales allowance shows the discounts given to customers when returning the product. This is done to entice customers to keep products instead of returning them. Bills payable or notes payable is a liability that is created when a company borrows any specific amount of money. If the company repays the loan early, the lender may provide a discount.

Although the accounts receivable is not due in September, the company still has to report credit losses of $4,000 as bad debts expense in its income statement for the month. If accounts receivable is $40,000 and allowance for doubtful accounts is $4,000, the net book value reported on the balance sheet will be $36,000. Including contra accounts on a balance sheet is important as it allows for a more transparent view of a company’s financial position. This is done by separating the decreases that have occurred in the contra account from the original transaction amount. This allows the reader to see both the current and historical book values for a particular asset or liability. Sales returns, sales allowance and sale discounts are different examples of contra revenue accounts.

Types of Contra Accounts – Explanation

They are used in case some customers won’t be able to pay the money they owe to the business. Whenever the balance of a contra asset account increases (credit to the contra asset account), the increased amount is written off as an expense and is reported in the company’s income statement. Both the asset and the corresponding contra asset accounts must be stated clearly in the balance sheet. Usually, the asset account is listed first, and its contra asset counterpart is listed underneath, with the asset’s net value or book value.

• The offset to the Depreciation Expense account is Accumulated Depreciation.
• Therefore, it reduces the value of shareholders’ equity by the amount paid for those repurchased stocks.
• When a company repurchases shares, it increases the fractional ownership of all remaining shareholders.
• A contra account is a general ledger account with a balance that is the opposite of another, related account that it is paired with.
• You can use contra accounts to record the goods your customers return, inventory that gets damaged, and equipment depreciation.

The allowance method of accounting enables a company to determine the amount reasonable to be recorded in the contra account. Note that the asset account balance represents the purchase price of the asset in question, also known as its historical cost. Sometimes, it is important to keep the original balance of the accounts and create the contra accounts to be able to calculate the net value of the account. Hence, the term valuation account represents all types of balance sheet accounts related to their corresponding balance sheet accounts.

Sales Discounts Account

For example, an asset was purchased by a company for $100,000 – that is, the historical cost of the asset was $100,000 – and its contra asset counterpart has a balance of $30,000. The monthly accounting close process for a nonprofit organization involves a series of steps to ensure accurate and up-to-date financial records. The allowance for doubtful accounts is not specifically reported, but the 10(K) reported that the allowance is immaterial to the amount. This make sense because Home Depot wouldn’t be carrying accounts receivable with long payment terms.

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The difference between an asset’s account balance and the contra account balance is known as the book value. A company creates allowances for doubtful accounts to record the portion of accounts receivable which it believes it will no longer be able to collect. The amount in allowance for doubtful accounts is deducted from the accounts receivable account of a company.

Contra accounts are shown in the financial statements below the paired accounts, although sometimes the balances of the two accounts are merged to a net amount for presentation purposes. Are you looking for a way to account for accumulated depreciation, returned merchandise, or damaged inventory? You can use contra accounts to record the goods your customers return, inventory that gets damaged, and equipment depreciation. Contra accounts are an essential component of the accounting process, designed to reflect the true value of assets, liabilities, equity, or revenue of a business. They provide a more nuanced picture of a company’s finances, allowing stakeholders to make informed decisions based on realistic, transparent financial information.

For example, Accumulated Depreciation is a contra asset account, because its credit balance is contra to the debit balance for an asset account. This is an owner’s equity account and as such you would expect a credit balance. Other examples include (1) the allowance for doubtful accounts, (2) discount on bonds payable, (3) sales returns and allowances, and (4) sales discounts.

The Contra Asset Account

It is not classified as a liability since it does not represent a future obligation. A contra asset is paired with an asset account to reduce the value of the account without changing the historical value of the asset. Examples of contra assets include Accumulated Depreciation and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts.

Contra equity account

Contra accounts such as these have a debit balance and are deducted from the total amount of a company’s revenue. Contra liability accounts such as discount on bonds payable and discount on notes payable usually carry debit balances. With contra equity accounts, you reduce the number of outstanding shares you list on your company’s balance sheet. Treasury stock and owner’s drawing account are examples of contra equity accounts. Examples include accumulated depreciation, sales returns and allowances, and contra equity accounts like treasury stock.

Contra revenue account

Harold Averkamp (CPA, MBA) has worked as a university accounting instructor, accountant, and consultant for more than 25 years.