optiix

Galaxy Corporation manufactures custom motorcycles. Galaxy finances the motorcycles over 36 months for customers who make a minimum down payment of 10%. Historically, Galaxy has experienced bad debt losses equal to 1% of sales. Galaxy also provides a 24 month unlimited warranty on all new motorcycles. In the past, warranty expense has averaged 3% of sales. Ignoring taxes, how does the recognition of bad debt expense and warranty expense at the time of sale affect Galaxy’s liabilities?

Bad debt expense

Warranty expense

A) No effect No effect

B) Increase Increase

C) No effect Increase

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The recognition of bad debt expense has no effect on liabilities, current revenues are reduced by the expected amount of uncollectable accounts. Bad debt expense reduces net income and reduces assets. The recognition of expected warranty expense decreases net income (following the matching principle), and since it is not currently paid (doesn’t reduce assets) it creates or increases a liability at the time of sale.