Ensign Peak Case Studies takes the approach that accounting courses should use realistic business documents. Our case studies are designed to provide the student with a realistic experience as the accountant for a fictional business. Financial events are presented using “original documents” such as an accountant would expect to receive and act upon rather than the transaction list format traditionally found in accounting cases.
The student responds to realistic customers’ POs, checks, product return request, vendor invoices, etc. Internal office memos direct the student accountant to make inventory price changes, modify stocking levels, prepare multiple price levels, prepare reports, and a host of activities common to a rapidly growing young company.
The use of “original documents” provides the student an experience approximating the “real world”. For example, the student accountant receives customer payment checks that may or may not identify the invoice it pays. The amount of a check may not agree with any of the customer’s invoices unless consideration is made for cash discounts. The student must therefore make decisions typically required by a company’s accountant.