What is one reason a credit might show up on an accounts receivables run?

A refund owed to a customer is a valid reason for a credit to show up on an accounts receivable run. When a company processes a refund, it reduces the amount the customer originally owed, creating a credit balance. This indicates that the company has an obligation to return money to the customer, thus appearing in the accounts receivable report as a decrease in receivables owed.

By contrast, payments made on an account receivable actually decrease the balance due from a customer, rather than creating a credit. A new sale completed would typically represent an increase in accounts receivable, as it shows that more money is owed to the company. Unpaid invoices from previous months would simply remain as accounts receivable and do not generate a credit; they reflect amounts that are still potentially collectible.