Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Deborah Taylor
BPP
As we have come to expect from the ACCA this was a reasonable set of exams. Yes,
there were a couple of papers that were more challenging, but on the whole the
student who walked into the exam hall well prepared and applied good technique t
hroughout should pass.
F4 tested a broad range of areas and was a fair test of candidates abilities but
they are likely to have struggled to generate detailed answers to questions 9 an
d 10. F5 was in line with expectation but the style and content of some of the F
6 exam may have been a surprise. Income tax was not tested, there was a heavier
emphasis on corporate tax and ethics was examined in question 4.
We would expect that most candidates found F7 doable, but would expect question
5 to be answered poorly as this was on an area that has not been examined often.
F8 provided excellent coverage of the syllabus with no surprises and the F9 pap
er was more straightforward than December 2009, but we thought the probability c
alculations in question 1 were a bit brutal.
P2 was one of the toughest papers we have seen in terms of time pressure and tec
hnical content, testing complex groups with disposals in question 1 and hedging
and derivatives in question 3. P1 and P3 made up for this, however, as we though
t these were reasonable papers.
And finally, we thought the options papers were examined at an appropriate level
with nothing unexpected being tested.
What examiners want
Exam reviews of F7, F8, F9, P1, P2 & P3
F7 Financial Reporting.
Examiner: Stephen Scott
Despite the improved performance in December over the June sitting the examiner
believes there is still considerable room for improvement. The main fault is can
didates lack of syllabus coverage, said Scott. This is evidenced by many sitters
answering only four sometimes three of the five compulsory questions. Candidates
did well at the first two questions on group accounting and production of finan
cial statements. These are areas students know well. The cash flow question (Q3)
was more focused this time around and students produced mixed results.
Q4 was on non-current assets and Q5 on the different measurers of profit/ earnin
gs performance and earnings per share calculations.
Scott also mentioned that there was evidence of time wasteful exam techniques un
necessary and over-elaborate workings, repetition of points, etc. There were als
o a significant number of scripts where candidates had crossed out the first pag
e (sometimes more) of their answer. This, felt Scott, demonstrates poor answer p
lanning and a consequent inevitable waste of valuable time.
F8 Audit & Assurance.
Examiner: Pami Bahl
The examiner was pleased to see that most candidates attempted all parts of all
five questions. There were some common issues that arose from candidates answers.
The examiner felt some were wasting time by rewriting the question requirements
out or providing lengthy introductions or definitions which were unnecessary. F
ailing to answer each question on a new page in the answer book was also frowned
upon, as is illegible writing. Bahl stressed that failure to read the question
requirements also meant some provided irrelevant answers, which scored few if an
y marks.
F9 Financial Management.
Examiner: Antony Head
There is no substitute for studying the whole syllabus in-depth, said Head. Duri
ng revision students need to test their degree of preparation by sitting past pa
pers under exam conditions, if at all possible. The examiner said that candidate
s then need to take action to strengthen areas where they find a need for more s
kill, knowledge and understanding. Students who are successful showed that they
had studied all of the syllabus, rather than focusing on a small number of key a
reas.
P1 Professional Accountant.
Examiner: David Campbell
P1 contains four questions in two sections. At the last sitting section A was co
mpulsory and contained one extended question (Q1) worth 50 marks. As in previous
diets, Q1 was a multi-part requirement covering a wide range of outcomes. Secti
on B contained three questions worth 25 marks and candidates were required to ch
oose two from those three. The section B questions tended to be located in one a
rea of the study guide, but as in previous papers also contained supporting requ
irements from other areas. All questions were based on case scenarios and marks
were often awarded for application to the case material.
Last December s paper was Campbell s fifth. He continues to be disappointed that stu
dents fail to pick up the professional marks December s Q1 asked candidates for a
memo. This was worth four marks and Campbell said few sitters managed to gain hi
gh professional marks. Campbell stressed: I have made the point before that vario
us forms of narrative communication should be taught to and learned by P1 candid
ates. From the papers he is convinced PQs don t know how to frame and draft a memo
to management. In many cases, what he got was simply a letter.
P2 Corporate Reporting.
Examiner: Graham Holt
The examiner admitted December s paper was testing, although PQs responded well, r
esulting in a pleasing pass rate (58%). Holt believes the results reflect the be
nefit of publication of articles in Student Accountant and the increased expansi
on of the knowledge base in certain subject areas, particularly IFRS 3 (Revised)
and financial instruments. Holt was also pleased that there was less evidence o
f candidates trying to get through the exam by answering just two out of three q
uestions. Finally, PQs also seem to be answering the 50-mark question better par
ticularly with regards to the ethics question. So Holt is a happy man indeed.
P3 Business Analysis.
Examiner: Steve Skidmore
The poor performance of candidates in section B was the main reason for the slig
ht dip in pass rates, said the examiner. Question 3 and 4 were not well answered
. Skidmore is also concerned that a significant number of candidates only answer
ed two questions. This seems to suggest to him PQs are unfamiliar with quality a
nd project management, two significant parts of the syllabus.
Skidmore wanted to remind PQs that this paper is not 3.5 with a new title. There
are significant new areas which must be learnt, he said. P3 also builds on knowle
dge gained in paper F1. So those exempt from paper are encouraged to review the
content of the F1 syllabus.
ATC's ACCA Exam Techniques
Don t forget the following advice while in the exam
Use the Reading and Planning Time before the start of the examination to make su
re that you understand what each question is about, and to jot down key thoughts
and reminders on the examination paper, to refer back to when you plan and writ
e each answer.
Answer all ten questions, being sure to number them in the answer book and to ke
ep each answer together.
Allocate your time carefully between questions so that you do not become bogged
down in a handful at the expense of others. Remember that each question carries
10 marks: the scenario questions score the same as the essay questions. You shou
ld allow an average of 18 minutes for each question, no more than 20 minutes nor
less than 15 on any one in order to do yourself justice. Allow eight to ten min
utes within that time to plan each answer.
Do not overrun on time trying to find the last, more difficult one or two marks
of a question at the expense of getting the straightforward six or seven marks i
n another question. Successful students often leave the most challenging questio
ns until last, making sure to pick up the easier marks of the other questions firs
t.
Answer the question that has been set, do not reinterpret it for example, if it
refers to buyers rights, do not give detailed answers about sellers rights; if it
asks about partnerships, do not give answers based on company law.
Be sure to give authority for your answers. If a rule you describe or apply deri
ves from statute, from a model law, from an international code or from a judicia
l precedent, say so. If you can remember the particular statutory reference or c
ase name, quote it; if not, refer to it generally. There is usually no benefit i
n quoting detailed case facts but you may need to make comparisons or distinctio
ns when you apply case law in scenario questions.
Good Luck!
In addition to noting the guidance set out above, students should make use of AC
CA past examination papers, pay close attention to articles published in Student
Accountant in March and April and should read the Examiner s review of the last e
xamination session at www.accaglobal.com/students.
ACCA exam tips for December exams
What do our experts think is coming up in December s exams? Here are top tips. Mor
e help coming here soon, promise
Paper F4
Contract law: exclusion clauses or intention to create legal relations.
Employment law: wrongful and unfair dismissal .
Partnership law: ostensible authority.
Company law: alteration of articles, or formation.
Combined Code on Corporate Governance: application and purpose.
Types/structure of court the English Legal System.
Civil and criminal law the differences.
Offer and acceptance the agreement.
Directors duties.
Company formation.
Fraudulent behaviour.
Paper F5
Interpreting financial and non-financial performance measures.
Throughput accounting techniques.
Short-term decision-making techniques.
Divisional performance measures .
Standard costing variance analysis and operating statements.
Comparing the merits of different budgetary control systems.
ABC.
Forecasting - linear regression, or time series.
Transfer pricing.
Backflush costing discussion.
Limiting factors.
Paper F6
Taxation of employment income.
Dealing with trading losses loss reliefs for sole traders and companies.
Computing corporation tax liabilities.
Computing chargeable gains.
Self-assessment and payment of tax by companies.
Badges of trade.
Adjusted profit computation and capital allowances for sole trader.
CGT principle private residence relief.
Personal tax: benefits, adjustment to profits, capital allowances, opening year
rules.
Corporation tax: long period of account, capital allowance, property lease, gain
s of shares, VAT annual accounting.
Paper F7
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income possible transactions to include
depreciation, revaluation, investment property, IFRS 5.
Consolidated I/S and SFP for either 2/3 company groups..
Published accounts.
Cashflow question with report on company performance.
Financial statement interpretation.
Intangible non-current assets including research and development.
Liabilities including deferred tax.
Leasing both numbers and written aspects.
IASB framework elements or qualitative characteristics.
Paper F8
Payables validation of period end balances and cut-off.
Acceptance of appointment ethical and practical issues.
System evaluation and management letter extracts.
Audit of estimates including provisions and contingencies.
Understanding unmodified audit reports and modified opinions.
Closing review, subsequent events and threats to going concern status.
Payroll audit procedures.
Not for profit organisations.
Internal control weakness.
IAS 570 going concern.
Analytical review as a planning tool.
Threats to an auditors independence.
Inventories or non-current assets.
Paper F9
Economic environment and the impact on interest and exchange rates.
Working capital management EOQ with discounts and lead time buffer stock.
Management of trade receivables, including settlement discounts and factoring.
Asset replacement cycles and capital rationing.
Risk management of foreign currency using internal and external hedging techniqu
es.
Weighted average and marginal costs of capital and the CAPM.
Business valuations using geared betas and earnings based valuations.
Inventory management.
Complex NPV or IRR with tax.
Paper P1
Corporate Governance risk management, director s remuneration and non-executive di
rector s responsibilities.
Internal controls.
TARA risk model, ethics absolutist v relativism, separation of CEO and chairman
powers (think M&S), ISO 14001.
Ethical dilemma American Accounting Association decision model.
Stakeholder management Mendelow s Matrix.
Risk audit - in house versus external provision. The need for internal audit.
The contents and process of a social/environment audit; the environmental footpr
int.
Enterprise risk management models
Paper P2
Complex group statement of comprehensive income incorporating a part disposal or
stepped acquisition.
IFRS 3 revised aspects.
Principles and accounting treatment multi-scenario incorporating intangible non-
current assets and impairment.
Deferred tax.
Management responsibilities for ensuring transparency of financial statements.
Impact of accounting policies on a financial covenant.
Accounting for environmental issues including provisioning.
Convergence of IFRS and US GAAP.
Discount activities.
Group topics disposal of subsidiary and complex group. Other topics provisions,
impairments, deferred tax.
Paper P3
The balance between controlling and encouraging emergent strategy.
E-business and supply chain management.
Scanning the macro-environment and competitive environment.
Project management and the capability maturity model.
Marketing techniques and customer relationship management.
Stakeholder analysis and corporate social responsibility.
Business analysis in not-for-profit organisation.
Paper P4
Corporate failure.
WACC/financing.
Business Valuation.
Black Scholes.
Paper P5
Impact of world, national and market trends on performance.
Current issues and trends in performance management.
The performance hierarchy, pyramid.
Behavioural aspects of performance management, forecasting.
Strategic management accounting and limitations of traditional management accoun
ting techniques.
Learning curves.
Paper P6
Taxation aspects of property and investment income.
Self-assessment for individuals and partnerships.
Taxation of group companies and consortia.
Computing trading losses.
Ethics and tax planning.
Rollover relief.
Lease vs buy for assets.
VAT capital goods scheme.
IHT death estate.
Paper P7
Prospective financial information linked to applications for debt funding.
Audit procedures looking at impairment of financial instruments and fair value.
Ethical scenarios/professional issues.
Auditor liability and good practice management.
Issues associated with the control weaknesses and collection of evidence for a n
ot-for-profit organisation.
Audit challenges of determining going concern status and the impact on audit opi
nions.
The clarity prject.
ISA 700 engagement reporting.
ISA 540 accounting estimates.