The following excerpt is taken from Microsofts 2015 annual report in relation to the expected recognition of unearned revenue in future periods (ignore tax effect).

a) What is the journal entry to record deferred or unearned revenue? What is the total amount of unearned revenue that is deferred from being recognized in income for FY2015? (Hint: The total amount of deferred revenue can be found from the cash flow statement)

b) What is the journal entry when the revenue is earned? What is the total amount of unearned revenue that is recognized for FY2015?

c) Discuss how unearned revenue accounts could potentially be used for earnings management.

Unearned Revenue Unearned revenue at June 30, 2015 was comprised mainly of unearned revenue from volume licensing programs. Unearned revenue from volume licensing programs represents customer billings for multi-year licensing arrangements paid for either at inception of the agreement or annually at the beginning of each coverage period and accounted for as subscriptions with revenue recognized ratably over the coverage period. Unearned revenue at June 30, 2015 also included payments for: post-delivery support and consulting services to be performed in the future; Xbox Live subscriptions and prepaid points; Microsoft Dynamics business solutions products; Office 365 subscriptions; Skype prepaid credits and subscriptions; Bundled Offerings, and other offerings for which we have been paid in advance and earn the revenue when we provide the service or software, or otherwise meet the revenue recognition criteria. The following table outlines the expected future recognition of unearned revenue as of June 30, 2015: (In millions) Three Months Ending, September 30, 2015 December 31, 2015 March 31, 2016 June 30, 2016 Thereafter Total $ 8,889 7,172 4,848 2,314 2,095 $ 25,318 CASH FLOWS STATEMENTS (In millions) Year Ended June 30, 2015 2014 2013 $ 12,193 $ 22,074 $ 21,863 7,498 5,957 2,574 (443) (588) 224 45,072 (44,920) 0 5,212 2,446 (109) (271) (331) 44,325 (41,739) 0 3,755 2,406 80 (209) (19) 44,253 (41,921) 1,456 (272) 62 346 (1,054) (624) 1,599 29,080 (1,120) (161) (29) (628) 473 1,075 1,014 32,231 (1,807) (802) (129) (478) 537 146 1,158 28,833 Operations Net income Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash from operations: Goodwill and asset impairments Depreciation, amortization, and other Stock-based compensation expense Net recognized losses (gains) on investments and derivatives Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation Deferred income taxes Deferral of unearned revenue Recognition of unearned revenue Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Accounts receivable Inventories Other current assets Other long-term assets Accounts payable Other current liabilities Other long-term liabilities Net cash from operations Financing Proceeds from issuance of short-term debt, maturities of 90 days or less, net Proceeds from issuance of debt Repayments of debt Common stock issued Common stock repurchased Common stock cash dividends paid Excess tax benefits from stock-based compensation Other Net cash used in financing Investing Additions to property and equipment Acquisition of companies, net of cash acquired, and purchases of intangible and other assets Purchases of investments Maturities of investments Sales of investments Securities lending payable Net cash used in investing Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents Net change in cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents, end of period 4,481 10,680 (1,500) 634 (14,443) (9,882) 588 362 (9,080) 500 10,350 (3,888) 607 (7,316) (8,879) 271 (39) (8,394) 0 4,883 (1,346) 931 (5,360) (7,455) 209 (10) (8,148) (5,944) (5,485) (4,257) (3,723) (98,729) 15,013 70,848 (466) (23,001) (73) (3,074) 8,669 5,595 (5,937) (72,690) 5,272 60,094 (87) (18,833) (139) 4,865 3,804 8,669 (1,584) (75,396) 5,130 52,464 (168) (23,811) (8) (3,134) 6,938 3,804 $ $ $