MIT Sloan Accounting Case Studies

Illustrates the application of the DuPont formula and cash-to-cash cycle in financial statement analysis.

Provides a comprehensive introduction to fully integrated financial statement forecasting and valuation models.

Drives understanding of the mechanics of purchase accounting and the economic intuition underlying goodwill.

Illustrates differential analysis – the comparison of alternative decisions based on their relevant costs and benefits.

Surfaces an important difference between U.S. GAAP and IFRS: the treatment of development costs.

Active Surfaces, an MIT start-up that developed low-cost, ultra-lightweight, flexible solar panels designed to be applied to practically any surface, serves as the setting for a simple bookkeeping exercise that has students utilize the balance sheet equation to record a series of business transactio...

Develops critical thinking skills in analyzing cost behavior patterns, specifically focusing on how cost structures may shift with changes in activity levels.

This case examines how Marsha Jackson, the Head of Internal Audit at RiseEngineer, deals with a whistleblower allegation of bribery in the company’s foreign subsidiary. Marsha’s compliance team conducts an investigation focused on the subsidiary’s bid on a major construction project. Students are as...

Helps students understand the mindset of individuals that engage in fraud, and avoid making the same mistakes. The case is particularly relevant for understanding the incentives that lead to fraud in private companies.

Throughout 2017 and into 2018, Tesla was burning through cash as the company sought to ramp up production of its Model 3 all-electric vehicle (EV). Investors were questioning whether Tesla would need to raise additional capital. While the company had been successful in the past at issuing both equit...