Question

The financial statements of (M&S) are presented in Appendix E. The company's complete annual report, including the notes to the financial statements, is available online.

Instructions

Refer to M&S’s financial statements and the accompanying notes to answer the following questions.

(a) What were M&S’s total assets at 28 March 2015? At 29 March 2014?

(b) How much cash (and cash equivalents) did M&S have on 28 March 2015?

(c) What were M&S’s selling and marketing expenses in 2015? In 2014?

(d) What were M&S’s revenues in 2015? In 2014?

(e) Using M&S’s fi nancial statements and related notes, identify items that may result in adjusting entries for prepaymentsand accruals.

(f) What were the amounts of M&S’s depreciation and amortization expense in 2014 and 2015?

Short answer

(a) Total assets as on 28 March 2015 equals £8,196.1 million , and as on 28 March 2014 equals £7,903.0 million.

(b) Cash and cash equivalent as on 28 March 2015 equals £205.9 million.

(c) Selling and marketing expense as on 28 March 2015 equals £3,207.4million , and as on 28 March 2014 equals £3,159.6 million.

(d) Revenues as on 28 March 2015 equals £10,311.4million , and as on 28 March 2014 equals £10,309.7 million.

(e) Accrued interest on the borrowings and others financial liabilities, and Depreciation and amortization, Interest income.

(f) Depreciation and amortization for 2015 equals £522.8 million and for 2014 equals £469.3 million.

Step-by-step solution

Explanation to total assets

Total assets refers to the all resources owned by the business. It includes current assets such as inventory, accounts receivables, cash and cash equivalent etc. , and the fixed assets such as Property, plant and equipment.

Explanation to cash and cash equivalent

Cash and cash equivalents are reported as current assets on the balance sheet. It includes the cash balance held by the company and other asset which are treated equivalent to cash such as commercial paper.

Explanation to selling and marketing expense

Selling and marketing expense indicates the expenses related to selling and promotion of merchandise.

Selling and marketing expense includes retail staffing, retail occupancy, distribution, marketing and related, and support. It has increased by £1.5 million as compared to 2014.

Explanation to revenues

Revenues are the income generated by way of selling merchandise to the customers. Revenues includes the revenue from multiple sources like general merchandise, food, UK revenue, Franchised revenue, owned revenue and international revenue.

Explanation to adjusting Entries

Adjusting entries are used to record the revenues and expenses which has been earned or accrued. In the case of Mark and Spencer Company, they will record adjusting entry for depreciation expense on the fixed assets, interest payable on the obligations, and also the interest income earned in the financial period.

Explanation to depreciation and amortizations

Depreciation and amortization are non-cash expense recorded to absorb the cost incurred on the purchasing fixed assets over the useful life of the asset. Depreciation and amortization has increased in year 2015, due to more investment in new stores and other expansions.