Research and Analysis Using the Annual Report

Obtain Whirlpool’s Fiscal 2016 10-K (filed Feb. 13, 2017) through the "Investor Relations" portion of its website (do a web search for Whirlpool investor relations). Once at the Investor Relations section of the website, look for "SEC Filings" under the "FINANCIAL INFORMATION" header. When you see the list of all the filings, either filter for the "Annual Filings" or search for "10-K." Another option is to go to www.sec.gov and click "Company Filings Search" under "Filings."

Required:

Look at the "Accounts Receivable" heading to Note 1 (Summary of Significant Accounting Policies). Do you think Whirlpool uses the percentage of credit sales method or the aging method to estimate bad debt expense?

Concept introduction:

Allowance for doubtful debts:

Companies generally make credit sales to improve their business and expand their customer base. When a credit sales is made the amount that the company has to receive from its customers is known as receivable. Usually all the customers does not repay the amount they owe to the company and hence there are chances of some not repaying the amount and these are called as bad debts. The company usually estimates that a portion of its receivables will become bad debts and create provisions for the same. This provision is called as allowance for doubtful debts.

Receivables:

Companies generally make credit sales to improve their business and expand their customer base. When a credit sales is made the amount that the company has to receive from its customers is known as receivable. Usually company all the customers does not repay the amount they owe to the company and hence there are chances of some not repaying the amount and these are called as bad debts. The company usually estimates that a portion of its receivables will become bad debts and create provisions for the same. Therefore the bad debts for the year is adjusted by transferring the amount to allowance for bad debts account.

Aging Method of accounts receivables:

Under this method bad debts expenses are estimated by determining the age of the accounts receivable i.e. each accounts receivable are categorized by their age then the amount of default under each category is estimated based on experience and past history.

Percentage of Credit Sales Method:

Under this method bad debts are estimated as a percentage of credit sale. The percentage is estimated based on previous experience and past history.

Determine whether Whirlpool uses the percentage of credit sales method or the aging method to estimate bad debts expense?

The information regarding accounts receivable and allowance for doubtful accounts of Whirlpool has been searched in the Summary of accounting policies from 10K report available in the sec.gov website. The Whirlpool has clearly mentioned that it created allowance for doubtful debts based on the...