Final answer:
Comparing the financial statements of conglomerate companies does not present a problem in itself as their diversification can protect overall profits. Geographical differences and varying accounting methods, however, do create challenges in financial comparison.
Step-by-step explanation:
When comparing the financial statements of two separate entities, encountering companies that are conglomerates with unrelated lines of business does not represent a problem. A conglomerate is composed of multiple businesses that operate in diverse markets; this diversification can protect the corporation's profits even if one of the subsidiary companies underperforms. Hence, being a conglomerate itself is not an issue for financial comparison. Conversely, factors such as geographical variations in operations and the use of differing accounting methods can indeed create difficulties when comparing financial statements, making standardized financial analysis more complex.
Additionally, multinational corporations often face challenges related to their international scope of operations, including concentration of wealth and the disregard of national borders in business practices. Furthermore, global economic growth and cooperation bring issues that affect the entire world, requiring a holistic perspective in addressing them. Companies also must consider how they access financial capital, which can impact their operations and obligations to shareholders or lenders.