How are specific allowances different from general allowances?

Specific allowances relate to recognized losses for individual invoices or receivables that are deemed unlikely to be collected, such as when a particular customer is experiencing financial difficulties. This means they're tailored to specific accounts based on the assessment of each customer's ability to pay.

In contrast, general allowances are established to anticipate losses across the whole portfolio of receivables, using an estimation based on historical data or industry averages. This broader approach does not consider individual account circumstances but instead aims to address the overall risk associated with uncollected debts.

Understanding this distinction is key in financial accounting, as it affects how an entity prepares its financial statements, particularly in accurately representing the net realizable value of accounts receivable. Properly categorizing allowances ensures that financial statements give a true and fair view of a company's financial health.