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Accounts Receivable
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Accounts Receivable  
Accounts Receivable

2. Accounts Receivable

We had accounts receivable of $2.3 billion and $2.5 billion, net of an allowance for bad debt of $25.7 million and $29.2 million, as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Accounts receivable are written‑off when it becomes apparent based upon age or customer circumstances that such amounts will not be collected.

The following table sets forth activities in our allowance for bad debt (in thousands):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

    
2014 

    
2013 

    
2012 

Balance as of beginning of period

 

$
29,188 

 

$
23,719 

 

$
24,301 

Charges to provision for bad debt

 

 
3,757 

 

 
11,745 

 

 
4,790 

Write-off of uncollectible accounts receivable

 

 
(8,074)

 

 
(6,940)

 

 
(6,025)

Recoveries of bad debt

 

 
821 

 

 
664 

 

 
653 

Balance as of end of period

 

$
25,692 

 

$
29,188 

 

$
23,719 

 

Included in accounts receivable is a retained beneficial interest related to accounts receivable sold under our receivables purchase agreements. The retained beneficial interest was not significant as of December 31, 2014 and 2013.