Arborista, Inc.: An Instructional Resource Case

This deceptively simple case is intended for use as early as the first day of an M.B.A. core accounting course or as a focused review for an undergraduate accounting course. It achieves three primary objectives: accelerating student learning about the statement of cash flows, emphasizing the importance of both the cash flow statement and the income statement in valuation and capital markets, and introducing the three primary financial statements as an integrated system. The case also features the use of the direct method of presenting operating cash flows, both as a pedagogical tool and to allow interested instructors to increase their focus on that method. We have found that students benefit from the early integration of the cash flow statement, as well as the ability to clearly understand how operating cash flows are similar to—and different from—net income. Finally, the case provides an optional managerial accounting module for instructors who teach a course that integrates financial and managerial accounting.