Case study with Financial Statements is attached.

Case Study 6.1

Financial Reporting, Financial Statement Analysis and Valuation (8th Edition), Wahlen, James M.

REQUIRED

a. Given your knowledge of Starbucks' key success and risk factors, use the note information presented above to evaluate Starbucks' accounting quality.

B. If you believe that Starbucks' accounting policy does not yield measurements of assets and liabilities that reflect economic reality and a measurement of net income that is predictive of future earnings, suggest any changes that you would make to assets, liabilities, and earnings to improve accounting quality. (At this point in your learning process, if you do not have specific numerical adjustments to propose, at least describe potential journal entries you would make to change the financial statements, if any, and what information you might need to make those entries.)

c. Evaluate whether your proposed adjustments are necessary for (1) credit analyses, (2) equity valuation, and (3) management evaluation.

Exhibits 1.26-1 .28 of Integrative Case 1.1 (Chapter 1) present the financial statements for Starbucks for 2009-2012. The following presents the majority of the items Starbucks discuss in its first note to the financial statements, "Summary of significant Accounting policies,

Note 1: Summary of Significant Accounting policies

Estimates and Assumptions

Preparing financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted 1- the united states of America ("GAAP'] requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. Example-. Include, but are not limited to, estimates for asset and goodwill impairments, stock-basic compensation forfeiture rates, future asset retirement obligations, and inventory reserves assumptions underlying self-insurance reserves and income from unredeemed stored value cards; and the potential outcome of future tax consequences of events that have been recognized in the financial statements. Actual results and outcomes may differ from these estimate: and assumptions.

Fair Value

Fair value is the price we would receive to sell an asset or pay to transfer a liability (exit price in an orderly transaction between market participants. For financial instruments and investments that we record or disclose at fair value, we determine fair value based upon the quoted market price as of the last day of the fiscal period, if available. lf a quoted market price is no: available for identical assets, we determine fair value based upon the quoted market price o, similar assets or using a variety of other valuation methodologies. We determine fair value o; our auction rate securities using an internally developed valuation model, using inputs that include interest rate curves, credit and liquidity spreads, and effective maturity.

The carrying value of cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value because of the short-term nature of these instruments. The fair value of our long-term debt is estimated basic on the quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or on the current rates offered to us for debt of the same remaining maturities.

We measure our equity and cost method investments at fair value on a nonrecurring basis when they are determined to be other-than temporarily impaired. Fair values are determined using available quoted market prices or discounted cash flows.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

Allowance for doubtful accounts is calculated based on historical experience, customer credit and application of the specific identification method. As of September 30, 2012, October 2011, and October 3, 2010, the allowance for doubtful accounts was 55.6 million, $53.3 million, $3.3 million respectively.

Inventories

Inventories are stated at the lower of cost (primarily moving average cost) or market. We record inventory reserves for obsolete and slow-moving inventory and for estimated shrinkage between physical inventory counts. Inventory reserves are based on inventory obsolescence trends, historical experience and application of the specific identification method. As of September 30, 2012, October 2, 2011, and October 3, 2010, inventory reserves were $22.6 million, $19.5, and 18.1 million, respectively.

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation. Depreciation property, plant and equipment, which includes assets under capital leases, is provided on the Straight-line method over estimated useful lives, generally ranging from 2 to 15 years for equipment and 30 to 40 years for buildings. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter their estimated useful lives or the related lease life, generally l0 years. For leases with renewal periods at our option, we generally use the original lease term, excluding renewal option periods, to determine estimated useful lives. If failure to exercise a renewal option imposes an economic penalty to us, we may determine at the inception of the lease that renewal is reasonably assured and include the renewal option period in the determination of the appropriate estimated useful lives. The portion of depreciation expense related to production and distribution facilities is included in cost of sales including occupancy costs on the consolidated statements of earnings. The costs of repairs and maintenance are expensed when occurred, while expenditures for refurbishments and improvements that significantly add to the productive capacity or extend the useful life of an asset are capitalized. When assets are retired or sold, the asset cost and related accumulated depreciation are eliminated with any remaining gain or loss recognized in net earnings.

Goodwill

We test goodwill for impairment on an annual basis during our third fiscal quarter, or more frequently if circumstances, such as material deterioration in performance or a significant number if store closures, indicate reporting unit carrying values may exceed their fair values. When valuating goodwill for impairment, we first perform a qualitative assessment to determine if their fair value of the reporting unit is more likely than not greater than the carrying amount. If not, we calculate the implied estimated fair value of the reporting unit. If the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds the implied estimated fair value, an impairment charge to current operations is recorded to reduce the carrying value to the implied estimated fair value.

As a part of our ongoing operations, we may close certain stores within a reporting unit containing goodwill due to underperformance of the store or inability to renew our lease, among other reasons. We abandon certain assets associated with a closed store including leasehold improvements and other non-transferable assets. Under GAAP, when a portion of a reporting unit that constitutes a business is to be disposed of, goodwill associated with the business is included in the carrying amount of the business in determining any loss on disposal. Our evaluation of whether the portion of a reporting unit being disposed of constitutes a business occurs on the date of abandonment. Although an operating store meets the accounting definition of a business prior to abandonment, it does not constitute a business on the closure date because the remaining assets on that date do not constitute an integrated set of assets that are capable of being conducted and managed for the purpose of providing a return to investors. As result, when closing individual stores, we do not include goodwill in the calculation of any loss on disposal of the related assets. As noted above, if store closures are indicative of potential impairment of goodwill at the reporting unit level, we perform an evaluation of our reporting unit goodwill when such closures occur. During Fiscal 2012 and fiscal 2011 we recorded no impairment charges and recorded S1.6 million in fiscal 2010.

Other Intangible Assets

Other intangible assets consist primarily of trademarks with indefinite lives, which are tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. Definite-lived intangible assets, which mainly consist of contract-based patents and copyrights, are amortized over their estimated useful lives, and are tested for impairment when facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying values may not be recoverable' Based on the impairment tests performed, there was no impairment of other intangible assets in fiscal 2012, 2011, and 2010.

Long-lived Assets

When facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying values of long-lived assets may not be recoverable, we evaluate long-lived assets for impairment. We first compared the carrying value of the asset to the asset's estimated future cash flows (undiscounted). If the estimated future cash flows are less than the carrying value of the asset, we calculate an impairment loss based on the asset's estimated fair value. The fair value of the assets is estimated using a discounted cash flow model based on forecasted future revenues and operating costs, using internal projections. Property, plant and equipment assets are grouped at the lowest level for which there are identifiable cash flows when assessing impairment. Cash flows for company-operated store assets are identified at the individual store level. Long-lived assets to be disposed of are reported at the lower of their carrying amount, or fair value less estimated costs to sell.

We recognized net impairment and disposition losses of $31.7 million, $36.2 million, and $67.7 million in fiscal 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively, primarily due to underperforming company-operated stores. Depending on the underlying asset that is impaired, these losses may be recorded in any one of the operating expense lines on the consolidated statements of earnings: for retail operations, the net impairment and disposition losses are recorded in store operating expenses and for all other operations, these losses are recorded in cost of sales including occupancy costs, other operating expenses, or general and administrative expenses.

Insurance Reserves

We use a combination of insurance and self-insurance mechanisms, including a wholly owned captive insurance entity and participation in a reinsurance treaty, to provide for the potential liabilities for certain risks, including workers' compensation, healthcare benefits, general liability, property insurance, and director and officers' liability insurance. Liabilities associated with the risk that are retained by us are not discounted and are estimated, in part, by considering historical claims experience, demographic, exposure and severity factors, and other actuarial assumptions.

Revenue Recognition

Consolidated revenues are presented net of intercompany eliminations for wholly owned subsidiaries and investees controlled by us and for licensees accounted for under the equity method, based on our percentage ownership. Additionally, consolidated revenues are recognized net of any discounts, returns, allowances and sales incentives, including coupon redemptions and rebates.

Company-operated Stores Revenues

Company-operated store revenues are recognized when payment is tendered at the point of sale. Retail store revenues are reported net of sales, use or other transaction taxes that are collected from customers and remitted to taxing authorities.

Licensed Stores Revenues

Licensed stores revenues consist of product sales to licensed stores, as well as royalties and other fees paid by licensees to use the Starbucks brand. Sales of coffee, tea and related products are generally recognized upon shipment to licensees, depending on contract terms. Shipping charges billed to licensees are also recognized as revenue, and the related shipping costs are included in cost of sales including occupancy costs on the consolidated statements of earnings.

Initial nonrefundable development fees for licensed stores are recognized upon substantial performance of services for new market business development activities, such as initial business, real estate and store development planning, as well as providing operational materials and functional training courses for opening new licensed retail markets. Additional store licensing fees are recognized when new licensed stores are opened. Royalty revenues based upon a percentage of reported sales and other continuing fees, such as marketing and service fees, are recognized on a monthly basis when earned.

CPG, Foodservice and 0ther Revenues

CpG, foodservice and other revenues primarily consist of domestic and international sales of packaged coffee and tea as well as a variety of ready-to-drink beverages and single-serve coffee and tea products to grocery, warehouse club and specialty retail stores, sales to our national foodservice accounts, and revenues from sales of products to and license revenues from manufacturers that produce and market Starbucks and Seattle's Best Coffee branded products through licensing agreements. Sales of coffee, tea, ready-to-drink beverages and related products to grocery and warehouse club stores are generally recognized when received by the customer or distributor, depending on contract terms. We maintain a sales return allowance to reduce packaged goods revenues for estimated future product returns based on historical patterns. Revenues are recorded net of sales discounts given to customers for trade promotions and payments to customers for product placement in our customers' stores.

Revenues from sales of products to manufacturers that produce and market Starbucks and Seattle's Best Coffee branded products through licensing agreements are generally recognized when the product is received by the manufacturer or distributor. License revenues from manufacturers are based on a percentage of sales and are recognized on a monthly basis when earned. National foodservice account revenues are recognized when the product is received by the customer or distributor.

Stored Value Cards

Revenues from our stored value cards, primarily Starbucks Cards, are recognized when redeemed or when the likelihood of redemption, based on historical experience, is deemed to be remote. Outstanding customer balances are included in deferred revenue on the consolidated balance sheets. There are no expiration dates on our stored value cards, and we do not charge any service fees that cause a decrement to customer balances. While we will continue to honor all stored value cards presented for payment, management may determine the likelihood of redemption to be remote for certain cards due to long periods of inactivity. In these circumstances, if management also determines there is no requirement for remitting balances to government agencies under unclaimed property laws, card balances may then be recognized in the consolidated statements of earnings, in net interest income and other. For the fiscal years ended September 30, 2012, October 2, 2011, and October 3, 2010, income recognized on unredeemed stored value card balances was $65.8 million, $46.9 million, and $31.2 million, respectively. In fiscal 2012, we recognized additional income associated with unredeemed gift cards due to a recent court ruling relating to state unclaimed property laws.

Customers in the U5, Canada, and the UK who register their Starbucks Card are automatically enrolled in the My Starbucks Reward program and earn points ("stars") with each purchase. Reward program members receive various benefits depending on the number of Stars earned in a 12-month period. The value of Stars earned by our program members towards free product is included in deferred revenue and recorded as a reduction in revenue at the time the Stars are earned, based on the value of Stars that are projected to be redeemed.

Marketing & Advertising

Our annual marketing expenses include many components, one of which is advertising costs. We expense most advertising costs as they are incurred, except for certain production costs that are expensed the first time the advertising campaign takes place. Annual marketing expenses totaled $277.9 million, $244.0 million, and $198.7 million in fiscal 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively. Included in these costs were advertising expenses, which totaled $182.4 million, $141.4 million, and $176.2 million in fiscal 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively.

Store Preopening Expenses

Costs incurred in connection with the start-up and promotion of new store openings are expensed as incurred.

Operating Leases

We lease retail stores, roasting, distribution and warehouse facilities, and office space under operating leases. Most lease agreements contain tenant improvement allowances, rent holidays, lease premiums, rent escalation clauses and/or contingent rent provisions. For purposes of recognizing incentives, premiums and minimum rental expenses on a straight-line basis over the terms of the leases, we use the date of initial possession to begin amortization, which is generally when we enter the space and begin to make improvements in preparation of intended use.

For tenant improvement allowances and rent holidays, we record a deferred rent liability on the consolidated balance sheets and amortize the deferred rent over the terms of the leases as reductions to rent expense on the consolidated statements of earnings.

For premiums paid upfront to enter a lease agreement, we record a deferred rent asset on the consolidated balance sheets and then amortize the deferred rent over the terms of the leases as additional rent expense on the consolidated statements of earnings. For scheduled rent escalation clauses during the lease terms or for rental payments commencing at a date other than the date of initial occupancy, we record minimum rental expenses on a straight-line basis over the terms of the leases on the consolidated statements of earnings.

Certain leases provide for contingent rents, which are determined as a percentage of gross sales in excess of specified levels. We record a contingent rent liability on the consolidated balance sheets and the corresponding rent expense when specified levels have been achieved or when we determine that achieving the specified levels during the fiscal year is probable.

When ceasing operations in company-operated stores under operating leases, in cases where the lease contract specifies a termination fee due to the landlord, we record such expense at the time written notice is given to the landlord. In cases where terms, including termination fees, are yet to be negotiated with the landlord, we will record the expense upon signing of an agreement with the landlord. In cases where the landlord does not allow us to-prematurely exit the lease, but allows for subleasing, we estimate the fair value of any sublease income that can be generated from the location and expense the present value of the excess of remaining lease payments to the landlord over the projected sublease income at the cease-use date.

Asset Retirement Obligations

We recognize a liability for the fair value of required asset retirement obligations ("ARO") when such obligations are incurred. Our AROs are primarily associated with leasehold improvements, which, at the end of a lease, we are contractually obligated to remove in order to comply with the lease agreement. At the inception of a lease with such conditions, we record an ARO liability and a corresponding capital asset in an amount equal to the estimated fair value of the obligation. The liability is estimated based on a number of assumptions requiring management's judgment, including store closing costs, cost inflation rates and discount rates, and is accreted to its projected future value over time. The capitalized asset is depreciated using the same depreciation convention as leasehold improvement assets. Upon satisfaction of the ARO conditions, any difference between the recorded ARO liability and the actual retirement costs incurred is recognized as an operating gain or loss in the consolidated statements of earnings' As of September 30,2012and October 2, 2011, our net ARO asset included in property, plant and equipment was $8.8 million and $11.8 million, respectively, and our net ARO liability included in other long-term liabilities was $42.6 million and $50.1 million, respectively.

Income Taxes

We compute income taxes using the asset and liability method, under which deferred income taxes are provided for the temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts and the tax basis of our assets and liabilities. We routinely evaluate the likelihood of realizing the benefit of our deferred tax assets and may record a valuation allowance if, based on all available evidence, we determine that some portion of the tax benefit will not be realized. We recognize the tax benefit from an uncertain tax position only if it is more likely than not that the tax position will be sustained on examination by the relevant taxing authorities, cased on the technical merits of our position. The tax benefits recognized in the financial statements from such a position are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 5O% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. Starbucks recognizes interest and penalties related to income tax matters in income tax expense'

REQUIRED

a. Given your knowledge of Starbucks' key success and risk factors, use the note information presented above to evaluate Starbucks' accounting quality.

B. If you believe that Starbucks' accounting policy does not yield measurements of assets and liabilities that reflect economic reality and a measurement of net income that is predictive of future earnings, suggest any changes that you would make to assets, liabilities, and earnings to improve accounting quality. (At this point in your learning process, if you do not have specific numerical adjustments to propose, at least describe potential journal entries you would make to change the financial statements, if any, and what information you might need to make those entries.)

c. Evaluate whether your proposed adjustments are necessary for (1) credit analyses, (2) equity valuation, and (3) management evaluation.