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You have been asked to take a ride on Financial Reporting Railways toThe Present

ID: 2465474 • Letter: Y

Question

You have been asked to take a ride on Financial Reporting Railways toThe Presentation Observation Station (the Station). At the Station, you will find the financial reports of railway companies from around the world. Once you’ve arrived at the station, your role is to observe and gain insights into the presentation of the balance sheets for some ofthese companies.

To find the railway companies’ financial reports, the conductor directs you to the internet café in the Station. Once you arrive at the café, youreceive a menu of select rail companies. Select at least three for each of the US and European companies and go to their websites. You may also research any railway companies “off the menu” as well, if you prefer. Locate their financial reports, specifically the balance sheet.Keep in mind that for some of the European railways, their reports might not be in English; however, that shouldn’t prevent you from making necessary observations.

The Presentation Observation Station internet café

Menu

(Links accessed August 14, 2014)

Name

Acronym

Country

Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation

BNSF

United States

http://bnsf.com/about-bnsf/financial-information/form-10-k-filings/pdf/10k-railway-2013.pdf

Danske Statsbaner

DSB

Denmark

http://www.dsb.dk/Global/PDF/%c3%85rsrapport/2013/DSB%20Annual%20Report%202013.pdf

GATX Corporation

GATX

United States

http://ir.gatx.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=70051&p=IROL-reportsannual

Iarnrod Eireann

IE

Ireland

http://www.irishrail.ie/media/ie_annual_report_2013.pdf?v=ga3dcce

Network Rail

United Kingdom

http://www.networkrail.co.uk/publications/annual-report-and-accounts/2014/

Norfolk Southern Corp.

NS

United States

http://www.nscorp.com/content/dam/nscorp/get-to-know-ns/investor-relations/annual-reports/annual-report-2013.pdf

Société Nationale Des Chemins
de Fer Francais

SCNF

France

http://www.sncf.com/ressources/reports/sncf_financier_gb_2013_13.pdf

Statens Järnvägar

SJ

Sweden

http://www.sj.se/content/1/c6/17/56/85/SJ%20Annual%20&%20Sustanability%20Report%202013.pdf

Union Pacific Corporation

UP

United States

http://www.up.com/investors/attachments/secfiling/2014/upc10k_020714.pdf

Required

Obtain and review the balance sheets for three rail companies in Europe whose financial statements are prepared using IFRS. Obtain and review the balance sheets for three rail companies in the USwhose financial statements are prepared using US GAAP. Compare the following:

The IFRS balance sheets to the US GAAP balance sheets.

The IFRS balance sheets to each other.

Answer the following questions:

Are the IFRS balance sheet classifications presented the same as theUS GAAP balance sheet classifications?

If different, which presentation do you believe is better? Explain why.

Are the IFRS balance sheet classifications the same between each of the companies?

What does IAS 1 require for a particular presentation format or orderof items on the balance sheet?

Does this agree with your observations? Discuss any differences.

Do you believe that one presentation format for balance sheetsshould be required of all companies throughout the world? Explainwhy or why not.

Explanation / Answer

1) no, different

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