This course is designed to strengthen your ability to correctly interpret financial statements and their accompanying disclosures. The course is aimed at anyone whose career might involve working with accounting data, and should be especially useful for those interested in consulting and financial analysis. Throughout the semester we will discuss the key disclosure rules in the United States, the communication methods available to managers, managers¿ incentives and ability to exert discretion over reported earnings, and the interplay between a company¿s corporate strategy and its financial reporting policies and practices. The course revolves around a number of topics of recent interest to the business community including the quality of earnings, mergers and acquisitions, purchased R&D, post employment benefits, executive compensation, and intangible assets.