Did Microsoft Alter Windows Sales Figures?

Saxophonist writes "InformationWeek claims to have analyzed Microsoft's most recent Form 10-Q and observed that a reported increase in earnings for the Windows unit may be due to accounting trickery rather than actual sales growth. Microsoft apparently increased its reported revenues for its Windows, Server & Tools, and Office units at least partly through shifting revenues from other units. While there may be nothing 'to suggest the company's revisions violate any accounting rules,' the actual growth in Windows sales was likely nowhere near the high double-digit percentage growth claimed. InformationWeek speculates that revenues from Xbox and Surface may have been among the revenues shifted to the other divisions."

Comments

Re:Shuffling deck chairs on the Titanic?

[gman003]

I'm hoping it's shuffling deck chairs on the Hindenberg - it will be more fun to watch.

Accoutant Interview:

[AnonymousClown]

A manager was interviewing accountants for a job. The first accountant came in and the boss asked, "What's 2+2?"

The first guy says, "4".

The mgr thanked him for his time and dismissed him because he was too honest. Then he called the second guy in. "What's 2+2?", he asked again.

"5" was the response.

He was thanked and rejected because he was incompetent, The manager then asked the third accountant in. "What's 2+2?"

The third accountant answered, "What do you want it to be?"

He was hired on the spot.

Re:SOP?

[Black.Shuck]

decided by a bunfight

If only *all* things in life could be decided by a bunfight.

*sigh*

Re:the truth!

[rmcd]

Obvious retort: You can't handle the truth.

This brilliant parody has been floating around for quite a while, author unknown (I found it at http://www.trinity.edu/rjensen/fraudenron.htm )

        A take-off from the movies "A Few Good Men" (Some phrases are in the original script and some are altered.)

        Tom Cruise: "Did you order the shredding?"

        Jack Nicholson: "You want answers?"

        Tom Cruise: "I think I'm entitled."

        Jack Nicholson: "You want answers!!"

        Tom Cruise: "I want the truth!"

        Jack Nicholson: "You can't handle the truth!"

        Jack Nicholson: "Son, we live in a world that has financial statements. And those financial statements have to be audited by men with calculators. Who's gonna do it? You? You, Dept. of Justice? I have a greater responsibility than you can possibly fathom. You weep for Enron and you curse Andersen. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know: that Enron's death, while tragic, probably saved investors. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves investors. You don't want the truth. Because deep down, in places you don't talk about at parties, you want me on that audit. You need me on that audit! We use words like materiality, risk-based, special purpose entity...we use these words as the backbone to a life spent auditing something. You use 'em as a punchline. I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very assurance I provide, then questions the manner in which I provide it. I'd prefer you just said thank you and went on your way. Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a pencil and start ticking. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you're entitled to!!"

        Tom Cruise: "Did you order the shredding???"

        Jack Nicholson: "You're damn right I did!"

Re:SOP?

[Locke2005]

In bunfights, there are no losers, only weiners.