concentration of credit risk financial instruments that potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist of cash and cash equivalents , trade accounts receivable and derivative instruments .
we place our cash and cash equivalents with high quality financial institutions .
such balances may be in excess of fdic insured limits .
to manage the related credit exposure , we continually monitor the credit worthiness of the financial institutions where we have deposits .
concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade accounts receivable are limited due to the wide variety of customers and markets in which we provide services , as well as the dispersion of our operations across many geographic areas .
we provide services to commercial , industrial , municipal and residential customers in the united states and puerto rico .
we perform ongoing credit evaluations of our customers , but do not require collateral to support customer receivables .
we establish an allowance for doubtful accounts based on various factors including the credit risk of specific customers , age of receivables outstanding , historical trends , economic conditions and other information .
no customer exceeded 5% ( 5 % ) of our outstanding accounts receivable balance at december 31 , 2010 or 2009 .
accounts receivable , net of allowance for doubtful accounts accounts receivable represent receivables from customers for collection , transfer , recycling , disposal and other services .
our receivables are recorded when billed or when the related revenue is earned , if earlier , and represent claims against third parties that will be settled in cash .
the carrying value of our receivables , net of the allowance for doubtful accounts , represents their estimated net realizable value .
provisions for doubtful accounts are evaluated on a monthly basis and are recorded based on our historical collection experience , the age of the receivables , specific customer information and economic conditions .
we also review outstanding balances on an account-specific basis .
in general , reserves are provided for accounts receivable in excess of ninety days old .
past due receivable balances are written-off when our collection efforts have been unsuccess- ful in collecting amounts due .
the following table reflects the activity in our allowance for doubtful accounts for the years ended december 31 , 2010 , 2009 and 2008: .

2010
2009
2008
Balance at beginning of year
$55.2
$65.7
$14.7
Additions charged to expense
23.6
27.3
36.5
Accounts written-off
(27.9)
(37.8)
(12.7)
Acquisitions
-
-
27.2
Balance at end of year
$50.9
$55.2
$65.7

in 2008 , subsequent to the allied acquisition , we recorded a provision for doubtful accounts of $ 14.2 million to adjust the allowance acquired from allied to conform to republic 2019s accounting policies .
we also recorded $ 5.4 million to provide for specific bankruptcy exposures in 2008 .
restricted cash and restricted marketable securities as of december 31 , 2010 , we had $ 172.8 million of restricted cash and restricted marketable securities .
we obtain funds through the issuance of tax-exempt bonds for the purpose of financing qualifying expenditures at our landfills , transfer stations , and collection and recycling facilities .
the funds are deposited directly into trust accounts by the bonding authorities at the time of issuance .
as the use of these funds is contractually restricted , and we do not have the ability to use these funds for general operating purposes , they are classified as restricted cash in our consolidated balance sheets .
in the normal course of business , we may be required to provide financial assurance to governmental agencies and a variety of other entities in connection with municipal residential collection contracts , closure or post- republic services , inc .
notes to consolidated financial statements , continued .

Question: Analyse this data from a financial earnings document. in 2008 what was the change in the allowance for doubtful accounts
Choices:
40.5
0
-9.7
80.4
51.0
Correct choice index: 4