Please find below the assignment:

During the course we will discuss different areas where companies may apply doubtful accounting practices. For the individual project you have to select a listed company where you think there may be a "grey area" or doubtful or obscure accounting practices (for example, accounting for leases, depreciation policies, financial instruments, etc.). Alternatively, you may choose two companies and explain how different accounting treatments for similar items may cause a significant variation in companies performance and results (for example, use of different depreciation policies or use of different inventory valuation methods).

Sources of Information:

You should use public information available (e.g., information available at the websites of the chosen companies, information from regulators such as the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC, EDGAR database: http://www.sec.gov/edgar/searchedgar/companysearch.html). For the company financials, you may also use the database ORBIS, available at IE library. This database contains information on over 44,000 listed companies from 46 countries. If you have difficulties in getting access to information, please let me know in advance.

Length of the report:

The report should be an executive report, between 3-5 pages (maximum 5 pages; font: Times New Roman, 11).

Brief Description of the Content of the report:

Description of the accounting issue (briefly refer to the appropriate GAAP or IFRS applicable).

Explain how the company/companies apply such requirements (that is, the accounting treatment of the issue under investigation in the case of the company/companies you are analyzing).

The different alternative ways of accounting for this particular item/issue and the impact they will have on companys performance and valuation.