September 2010 (Revised September 2013)
Case
HBS Case Collection

Accounting for the iPhone at Apple Inc.

By: Francois Brochet, Krishna G. Palepu and Lauren Barley

Format:Print
| Language:English
| Pages:19

Abstract

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?

Keywords

Corporate Disclosure; Revenue Recognition; Standards; Technology Industry; United States

Citation

Brochet, Francois, Krishna G. Palepu, and Lauren Barley. "Accounting for the iPhone at Apple Inc." Harvard Business School Case 111-003, September 2010. (Revised September 2013.)