Publications
Publications
- September 2010 (Revised September 2013)
- HBS Case Collection
Accounting for the iPhone at Apple Inc.
By: Francois Brochet, Krishna G. Palepu and Lauren Barley
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
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.)