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5. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE
6 Months Ended
Apr. 30, 2014
Notes to Financial Statements  
5. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

Trade accounts receivable are stated at the amount the Company expects to collect. The Company maintains allowances for doubtful accounts for estimated losses resulting from the inability of its customers to make required payments. Management considers the following factors when determining the collectibility of specific customer accounts: customer credit-worthiness, past transaction history with the customer, current economic industry trends and changes in customer payment terms. Past due balances over 60 days and other higher risk amounts are reviewed individually for collectibility. If the financial condition of the Company’s customers were to deteriorate, adversely affecting their ability to make payments, additional allowances would be required. Based on management’s assessment, the Company provides for estimated uncollectible amounts through a charge to earnings and a credit to a valuation allowance. Balances that remain outstanding after the Company has used reasonable collection efforts are written off through a charge to the valuation allowance and a credit to accounts receivable.

 

The reserve for sales discounts represents the estimated discount that customers will take upon payment.  The reserve for other allowances represents the estimated amount of returns, slotting fees and volume based discounts estimated to be incurred by the Company from its customers.  The allowances are summarized as follows:

                                                                                                           

    April 30,     October 31,  
    2014     2013  
Allowance for doubtful accounts   $ 65,000     $ 65,000  
Reserve for other allowances     35,000       35,000  
Reserve for sales discounts     44,000       44,000  
Totals   $ 144,000     $ 144,000