An Analysis of the United States Accounting Codification Through Practical Case Studies

This document contains a collection of case studies that illustrate real-world accounting issues. These cases, 11 in all, involve both real and fictional companies and their accompanying financial statements. Each of these cases studies a specific accounting question –ranging from revenue recognition to valuing accounts receivable, among others– and requires a mix of factual responses and opinion synthesis. The cases blend analysis of various subfields within accounting, including general risk assessment and financial studies, and provide students with a broad overview of the field. Producing this thesis granted me valuable insight into current issues within the field of accounting as well as a first look at theoretical issues currently under study by accounting scholars and academics. Aside from the materials contained within the cases themselves, I called upon information directly from the Financial Accounting Standards Board’s Codification to furnish my responses. Additionally, as a large portion of this thesis was completed concurrently with other Honors students working on their own accounting theses, I benefitted from exposure to groupwork in a professional, academic setting