Receivables

6 Months Ended

Apr. 30, 2021

Credit Loss [Abstract]

Receivables

Receivables

Our primary allowance for credit losses is the allowance for doubtful accounts, which is principally determined based on aging of receivables. Receivables are exposed to credit risk based on the customers' ability to pay which is influenced by, among other factors, their financial liquidity. We perform ongoing customer credit evaluation to maintain sufficient allowances for potential credit losses. Our segments perform credit evaluation and monitoring to estimate and manage credit risk through the review of customer information, credit ratings, approval and monitoring of customer credit limits, and assessment of market conditions. We may also require prepayments or bank guarantees from customers to mitigate credit risk. Our receivables are generally short-term in nature with a majority of receivables outstanding less than 90 days. Accounts receivable balances are written-off against the allowance if deemed uncollectible.

Accounts receivable are net of an allowance for credit losses of $8,176 and $9,045 at April 30, 2021 and October 31, 2020, respectively. The change in the allowance for expected credit losses includes an immaterial accounting standard adoption impact from ASU 2016-13 of $396 for the six months ended April 30, 2021. The provision for losses on receivables was $301 and $404 for the three and six months ended April 30, 2021, respectively, compared to $751 and $1,535 for the same periods a year ago, respectively. The remaining change in the allowance for credit losses is principally related to the write-off of uncollectible accounts.