Ten hard questions to ask or be asked

1Are expenses properly booked (e.g. not improperly hidden in the balance sheet)?
2Is the breakdown between cost of sales and operating costs correct?
3How significant is depreciation?
4Is the headline net profit figure the most representative profit figure?
5What exceptional and extraordinary items are in the account? What are the implications?
6What is the origin of non-trading income? How much is recurring? Why?
7Are there any unusual items? Why? What are the implications?
8Is there other comprehensive income? Why? What are the implications?
9If there are discontinued operations, why?
10If there has been a change in accounting policies, why?

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