Table:
|  |  | Years Ended December 31, |  |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
|  | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 |
| Balance, beginning of period | -$3,912 | -$4,799 | -$3,873 |
| Provision increase | -2,561 | -1,505 | -2,086 |
| Amounts written off, net of recoveries | 1,368 | 2,269 | 1,305 |
| Foreign currency translation adjustments and other | -44 | 123 | -145 |
| Balance, end of period | -$5,149 | -$3,912 | -$4,799 |
Paragraphs:
The Company maintains a general allowance for doubtful accounts based on historical experience, along with additional customer specific allowances. The Company regularly monitors credit risk exposures in consolidated receivables. In estimating the necessary level of our allowance for doubtful accounts, management considers the aging of accounts receivable, the creditworthiness of customers, economic conditions within the customer’s industry, and general economic conditions, among other factors.
The following reflects activity in the Company’s allowance for doubtful accounts receivable for the periods indicated (in thousands):
Provision increases recorded in general and administrative expense during the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, and 2017, reflect increases in the allowance for doubtful accounts based upon collection experience in the geographic regions in which the Company conducts business, net of collection of customer-specific receivables that were previously reserved for as doubtful of collection.
Question:
What does the company consider in estimating the necessary level of allowance for doubtful accounts?
Answer: the aging of accounts receivable, the creditworthiness of customers, economic conditions within the customer’s industry, and general economic conditions, among other factors.