Which of the following is an example of a charge that does not impact EBIT but requires analysis?

Changes in accounting policies are indeed an example of a charge that does not impact EBIT, yet still requires thorough analysis. When a company changes its accounting policies, it may affect how various items are recognized or reported in financial statements without directly altering the operating performance measured by Earnings Before Interest and Taxes (EBIT). Such changes often relate to the timing of revenue recognition, valuation of inventory, or asset capitalization.

While these adjustments might lead to significant differences in reported metrics, they do not necessarily reflect the underlying operational performance or cash flow of the company. Therefore, analysts must carefully evaluate the implications of these accounting changes to understand their effects on financial ratios and overall business strategy.

In contrast, restructuring charges directly impact EBIT, as they represent one-time costs associated with organizational changes aimed at improving efficiency. Product sales returns can lead to a reduction in revenue recognized, hence directly impacting EBIT as well. Depreciation expenses are operational costs that reduce taxable income and EBIT, reflecting the allocation of asset costs over time. Each of these items influences EBIT, while changes in accounting policy require a careful examination without impacting the operational performance metrics directly.