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In 2009, Southwest Airlines produced its first integrated annual report, the Southwest Airlines One Report, combing financial and nonfinancial performance information. This case examines Southwest's environmental and corporate social responsibility (CSR) reports produced in the two years preceding 2009 and follows the company's decision to transition to a new reporting format. Preparing for the 2010 report, the Southwest reporting team contemplates how to improve the One Report. The case also allows for debate on the future of integrated reporting, including its impact on internal management processes, integrated audits, and mandated nonfinancial reporting.

This technical note focuses on common business entities: sole proprietorships, general partnerships (GPs), limited partnerships (LPs), limited liability partnerships (LLPs), limited liability companies (LLCs), S corporations, and C corporations and offers insights into the basic factors to consider when choosing one of these entities. The Appendix provides an overview of other important entities in the federal tax code: real-estate investment trusts (REITs), regulated investment companies (e.g., mutual funds), and publicly traded partnerships (PTPs).

Appropriate for students interested in purchasing a company. Follows two MBA graduates with $5.2 million in equity to invest as they start the process of choosing an entity structure for their new venture.

This case deals with a rural charitable homeopathic hospital in the state of Maharashtra, India, set in the year 2008. The hospital, Dr. M. L. Dhawale Memorial Trust's Rural Homeopathic Hospital, is one among many clinics and hospitals run by the Dr. M. L. Dhawale Memorial Trust (MLDT). Dr. Navin Pawaskar, the head of the hospital, has to make recommendations to the management team to improve the profitability of the hospital and be financially sustainable. He has findings and data from a field study done by management students of S. P. Jain Institute of Management and Research, Mumbai, India. The study involved a preliminary costing exercise of the various services offered in the hospital. The data from the costing exercise must now be analyzed to arrive at actionable conclusions.

Apple initially recognized revenue associated with its iPhone product using subscription accounting. However, in 2008, the company started providing non-GAAP supplemental numbers where substantially all of the revenue was recognized upfront. Market participants' reactions to the disclosure were mixed. Was Apple "right" in arguing that subscription accounting was inadequate for the iPhone?

Liza Davis, an upscale women's fashion retailer, is reeling from worldwide recession and lower demand. Should the company target the fast growing bargain hunter segment or hold the line on price discounts to preserve its brand image? Customer profitability calculations show that the bargain hunting customer loses money--does that mean the company should ignore this customer in favor of full-price shoppers?

A fast-growing retailer is facing two different leasing options for its stores. In choosing between the two options, management is considering the potential impact of the two options on the company's financial statements, in light of the proposed new accounting standard for leases.

Company pursues ways to reduce its debt to equity ratio by resorting to off balance sheet debt transactions.

Company pursues ways to reduce its debt to equity ratio by resorting to off balance sheet debt transactions.

Company pursues ways to reduce its debt to equity ratio by resorting to off balance sheet debt transactions.

Company pursues ways to reduce its debt to equity ratio by resorting to off balance sheet debt transactions.

Company pursues ways to reduce its debt to equity ratio by resorting to off balance sheet debt transactions.

This note presents a simple way to estimate time equations using regression analysis in Excel. The note quickly outlines regression analysis, then presents a real-life case example from the natural gas industry that students can use to gain experience developing and interpreting the results of time equations.

Note on accounting for retiree pension and health benefits under IFRS and US GAAP.

The case explores a new venture to bring clean water to Tanzanians who otherwise cannot access or afford it. Management has enough money to get their company through August 2010, but needs more capital. An HBS alum is interested in investing in the company; consequently management needs to revisit their early assumptions, decide on the incentive structure for water vendors in Tanzania, and put together a pro-forma income statement, cashflow statement, and balance sheet in anticipation of their meeting with the potential investor.

Management must decide which exchange rate to use to consolidate the company's Venezuelan subsidiary

Second case in the Cosmeticos de Espana case series. What should management's accounting response be to a devaluation of the Bolivar?

The third case in the Cosmeticos de Espana case series. What should management's accounting response be to a further devaluation of the Bolivar?

The fourth case in the Cosmeticos de Espana case series. What should management's accounting response b to the imposition of foreign currency controls?

Recent changes to the fine art industry and the economy had impaired Marten Arts Gallery's financial performance. The owner of Marten Arts Gallery was concerned that there was no longer a future for him in the fine art industry. Although the business had regained profitability in the first half of 2009, the owner decided it was time to look at all options, ranging from adding a second store to selling the business.