(c) In August 2004 it was discovered that the inventory at 31 December 2003 had been overstated by $100,000.

(4 marks)

Required:

Advise the directors on the correct treatment of these matters, stating the relevant accounting standard which

justifies your answer in each case.

NOTE: The mark allocation is shown against each of the three matters.

(b) Discuss the relative costs to the preparer and benefits to the users of financial statements of increased

disclosure of information in financial statements. (14 marks)

Quality of discussion and reasoning. (2 marks)

(ii) Construct the argument against Professor West’s opinion, and in favour of Professor Leroi’s opinion that

a principles-based approach would be preferable in developing countries. Your answer should consider

the particular situations of developing countries. (10 marks)

(b) Identify and explain THREE approaches that the directors of Moffat Ltd might apply in assessing the

QUALITATIVE benefits of the proposed investment in a new IT system. (6 marks)

(b) Explain how the use of SWOT analysis may be of assistance to the management of Diverse Holdings Plc.

(3 marks)

The IOA Division is also considering whether to undertake an investment in the West of the country (the West Project).

An initial cash outlay investment of ￡12 million will be required and a net cash inflow amounting to ￡5 million is

expected to arise in each of the four years of the life of the project.

The activities involved in the West project will cause the local river to become polluted and discoloured due to the

discharge of waste substances from mining operations.

It is estimated that at the end of year four a cash outlay of ￡2 million would be required to restore the river to its

original colour. This would also clear 90% of the pollution caused as a result of the mining activities of the IOA

Division.

The remaining 10% of the pollution caused as a result of the mining activities of the IOA Division could be cleared

up by a further cash outlay of ￡2 million.

(c) Evaluate the West project and, stating your reasons, comment on whether the board of directors of NCL plc

should spend the further ￡2 million in order to eliminate the remaining 10% of pollution. (6 marks)

(Ignore Taxation).

(e) Briefly discuss FOUR initiatives that management might consider in order to further enhance profitability.

(4 marks)

(c) (i) Using ONLY the above information, assess the competitive position of Diverse Holdings Plc.

(7 marks)

(ii) Explain THREE strategies that might be adopted in order to improve the future prospects of Diverse

Holdings Plc. (6 marks)

3 Better budgeting in recent years may have been seen as a movement from ‘incremental budgeting’ to alternative

budgeting approaches.

However, academic studies (e.g. Beyond Budgeting – Hope & Fraser) argue that the annual budget model may be

seen as (i) having a number of inherent weaknesses and (ii) acting as a barrier to the effective implementation of

alternative models for use in the accomplishment of strategic change.

Required:

(a) Identify and comment on FIVE inherent weaknesses of the annual budget model irrespective of the budgeting

approach that is applied. (8 marks)