Chapter 1, Problem 1.12EYCT

The annual report is a regular activity of public firms and is sent to current owners (shareholders) and the SEC, and is also made available to prospective owners, financial analysts, and others interested in a company’s performance. Name four of the major sections contained. Please discuss the benefits and limitations of the information provided in this report.

The directors of Glowball, a public limited company, had discussed the study by the Institute of Environmental Management which indicated that over 35% of the world's largest 250 corporations are voluntarily releasing green reports to the public to promote corporate environmental performance and to attract customers and investors. They have heard that their main competitors are applying the 'Global Reporting Initiative' (GRI) in an effort to develop aworldwide format for corporate environmental reporting. However, the directors are unsure as to what this initiative actually means. Additionally, they require advice as to the nature of any legislation or standards relating to environmental reporting, as they are worried that any environmental report produced by the company may not be of sufficient quality and may detract and not enhance their image if the report does not comply with recognized standards. Glowball has a reputation for ensuring the preservation of the environment in its…

Consider yourself the financial controller of Alpha. The managing director, who is not an accountant, has recently attended a seminar and has raised the following questions for you concerning issues discussed at the seminar:The notes to the financial statements say that plant and equipment is held under the ‘cost model’. However, property which is owner occupied is revalued annually to fair value. Changes in fair value are sometimes reported in profit or loss but usually in ‘other comprehensive income’. Please explain how all these treatments comply with relevant reporting standards. The manager director also added “I wonder how the revaluation model can affect the information relevancy and reliability”