Association of Chartered Certified Accountants

ACCA – London
Gold Standard College

The ACCA Qualification exam syllabus is divided into two levels; Fundamentals and Professional.
The Fundamentals level is divided into two modules; Knowledge and Skills. The Knowledge module has 3 subjects and introduces you to the core areas of financial and management accounting. The Skills module contains 6 subjects, which comprehensively cover the main technical areas that any accountant is expected to have mastered.

FUNDAMENTALS (nine papers in total)

Knowledge (can be taken as Computer Based Exams)

• F1 Accountant in Business
• F2 Management Accounting
• F3 Financial Accounting

Skills – (Paper Based Examinations)

• F4 Corporate and Business Law – Variant English Law
• F5 Performance Management
• F6 Taxation
• F7 Financial Reporting – Variant International
• F8 Audit and Assurance – Variant International
• F9 Financial Management

The Professional level is divided into two modules; Essentials and Options. Both these modules have been set at an intellectual level equivalent to that expected of a student taking a Masters degree. All students have to complete the three papers in the Essentials module. The Options module contains four papers, but you only need to complete two.

PROFESSIONAL (five papers in total)

Essentials

• P1 Professional Accountant
• P2 Corporate Reporting – Variant International
• P3 Business Analysis

Options (two to be completed)

• P4 Advanced Financial Management
• P5 Advanced Performance Management
• P6 Advanced Taxation
• P7 Advanced Audit and Assurance

Further Requirements

To qualify as an ACCA member you will also need to complete the Professional Ethics Module and the Practical Experience Requirement.

Professional Ethics Module

Professional ethics is at the heart of the ACCA Qualification. Professional ethics is covered in 11 of the 16 exam papers. This includes all papers at Professional level and three of the Essential performance objectives.

The Professional ethics module underpins both your studies and your practical experience in the qualification. The aim of the module is to introduce you to a range of ethical ideas. You get access to the module when you become eligible to take Paper P1, Governance, Risk and Ethics. We recommend that you take the Professional ethics module at around the same time as you take this paper. You must finish it before you can become an ACCA member.

Practical Experience Requirement

A key part of the ACCA Qualification is getting relevant practical experience in the workplace. Our exams will give you the theory behind your knowledge of accountancy. But you also need to have the practical experience to support it. This experience, alongside your exams and ethical awareness, will mean you are fully prepared for a challenging career as a professional accountant.

The ACCA Qualification closely links practical experience to your studies. This means you can apply the knowledge you gain from the exams in your workplace. This also will show future employers that you have the right mix of knowledge and skills. You should think about the practical experience you need to gain for the ACCA Qualification when looking for a job and choosing your employer.

You need to do three years' relevant work experience and achieve 13 of the performance objectives listed below. You will need to do all nine listed as 'Essentials' and four of those listed as 'Options'.

Performance objectives are part of the requirements you must meet for your practical experience. They set out a clear guide for the activities you should do and what you should achieve in the workplace. They outline the standards and expected result of your work. They also show the attitudes you are expected to have as a trainee accountant.

Essentials (all nine to be done)

Professionalism, ethics and governance

1. Demonstrate the application of professional ethics, values and judgement.
2. Contribute to the effective governance of an organisation.
3. Raise awareness of non-financial risk.

Personal effectiveness

4. Manage self.
5. Communicate effectively.
6. Use information and communications technology.

Business management

7. Manage ongoing activities in your area of responsibility.
8. Improve departmental performance.
9. Manage an assignment.

Options (four to be done)

Financial accounting and reporting

10. Prepare financial statements for external purposes.
11. Interpret financial transactions and financial statements.

Performance measurement and management accounting

12. Prepare financial information for management.
13. Contribute to budget planning and production.
14. Monitor and control budgets.

Finance and financial management

15. Evaluate potential business/investment opportunities and the required finance options.
16. Manage cash using active cash management and treasury systems.

Audit and assurance

17. Prepare for and collect evidence for audit.
18. Evaluate and report on audit.

Taxation

19. Evaluate and compute taxes payable.
20. Assist with tax planning.

COURSE PROGRESSION

After having completed the Knowledge and the Skills Module (Part Qualified Accountant) you will be able to further enhance your knowledge with a range of options available to you.

• Option 1: You may choose to complete your ACCA qualifications and work towards becoming a member.
• Option 2: You may choose to pursue a Masters (Top Up) degree majoring in Accounting and Finance.
• Option 3: Combine the above two options and receive a Professional Qualification ACCA along with a Masters (Top Up) degree.

ACCA Course Progression

There are various entry points on to the ACCA qualification, depending on your previous academic qualifications.

• For all entry points it is mandatory that you be at least 18 years of age.
• English Proficiency - IELTS (or equivalent) minimum Band 5.5
• Two A Levels and three GCSEs or equivalent in five separate subjects, including English and Mathematics.

Before you apply to Williams College you must register with ACCA. You can apply online at   www.accaglobal.com.

Are you ready to study for the ACCA? Test your maths and English abilities here.

GRADUATE-ENTRY ROUTE

• Relevant degree holders from ACCA-accredited institutions may be exempted from all nine exams within the Fundamentals level and register directly for the Professional level. No exemptions are available at the Professional level.
• The students are required to apply for exemptions directly to ACCA and are advised to check the exemptions available before they start the course. Degrees with some relevance may also qualify for exemptions.
• The number of exemptions you can claim will depend on how closely your previous qualifications match the content of the ACCA syllabus. For example, if you have completed a relevant degree from an ACCA accredited university, you may be eligible to claim exemption from up to all nine exams within the Fundamentals level.

ACCESS TO ACCA VIA FIA QUALIFICATION

• No academic qualifications required
• Sit the Foundations in Accountancy (FIA) qualification first and then transfer to the Skills module of the ACCA Qualification by claiming exemption from the first three papers in the Knowledge module.

For information regarding the ACCA course fees at Williams College please click here

Registration can take place at any time, however if you wish to take part in specific paper-based examination sessions, the following deadlines apply:

• For the June sitting - Register as student by 31 December of the preceding year
• For the June sitting – see Exam Entry Deadlines, below
• For the December sitting - Register as student by 15 August of the same year
• For the December sitting – see Exam Entry Deadlines, below

From December 2011 there is greater flexibility and choice regarding the exam entry process. Benefits include being able to: apply for exams at any time of the year; add exams until the end of the standard entry closing date, and; amend an exam centre, stream or variant without charge until the end of the standard exam entry closing date.

Exam Entry Deadlines

Please be aware of the following information:

• Early and late exam entry periods only apply if you enter for exams online
• Discounts only apply for early online exam entry for ACCA and Foundations in Accountancy (FIA) exams
• The new dates only apply to entries for paper-based exams held in June and December and not computer-based exams (CBEs)
• The standard exam entry closing date, for both online and paper exam entries has now changed to 8 October for December exams and 8 April for June exams. If you register after this date, you will have to pay the late exam entry fee
• If you choose to still receive paper exam dockets, these will be sent out to you after the June and December exam results are released – around mid-August and mid-February

Exam Entry Fees

Tuition Days

These face-to-face days with our highly qualified and respected tutors assist students in becoming familiar with the concepts and theories needed to be able to successfully pass each module.

Revision Days

The main aim and focus of the Revision Days is to get the students ready for the exams. The revision courses are based on those topics which are most likely to arise in the exams. The structure of these days includes a brief review of the syllabus content and in-depth focus on typical exam questions.

Mock Exam Day

This is the final stage in the process to passing your examinations. On these days students sit an examination under examination conditions. Once completed, feedback on student performance and a full review of the paper is carried out by the tutors.

Study Materials

The following will be provided by Williams College for the Course:

• Course Text Book
• Course Notes
• Revision Kit
• Pass Cards

Full Intake

• March - Intakes for all subjects F1 - P7
• April - Intakes for all subjects F1 - P7
• August - Intakes for all subjects F1 - P7

Part Intake

• May - intake for F1 - F3 only
• November - intake for F1 - F3 only

About CBE
Benefits of CBE
Exams Offered
Registration
FAQs

About CBE (Computer Based Exams)

Computer Based Exams (CBE) can be sat for as an alternative to Paper Based Exams. CBEs offer students the flexibility of being able to sit exams when they are ready. For further information about CBE please refer to the documents below.

Information Sheet for CBE Students
CBE Student Instructions

Benefits of CBE

The following table compares CBE with traditional Paper Based exams.

Exams Offered

FOUNDATIONS IN ACCOUNTANCY*

*From December 2011 only

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Registration

• To attempt a CBE exam at Williams College you must be registered with ACCA as a student and posses the ACCA Student Card. (Registration dates for students sitting exams in the June cycle is by 31st December and for the December cycle is by the 30th June).
• You will be expected to carry a photo ID clearly mentioning your date of birth.
• Fill in the CBE Application form and select your date and time for the examination.
• Pay the exam fee (£69 per paper) at the time of registration.
• We will send you a confirmation reminding you of your examination.

FAQs

What are the exam cycles for CBE?

ACCA offers two six monthly cycles for taking exams:

• June cycle: 1 February to 31 July (including June paper-based exam session)
• December cycle: 1 August to 31 January (including December paper-based exam session)

In each of the six-monthly cycles, students will be able to sit a maximum of four exams by paper based or CBE method.

What is the format of the exam and what are typical questions?

CBEs before December 2011

ACCA Qualification (F1-F3)/MSER exams MMA and MFA

Each exam:

• Is of two hours duration
• Contains 50 questions
• Is out of 100 marks
• Has a pass mark of 50%
• Contains the following question types: multiple choice questions, multiple response questions, multiple response matching questions and number entry questions - all worth two marks

CAT - Introductory Level (T1 & T2)

Each exam:

• Is of two hours duration
• Contains 50 questions
• Is out of 100 marks
• Has a pass mark of 55%
• Contains two-mark multiple choice questions only

CAT – Intermediate Level (T3 & T4)

Each exam:

• Is of two hours duration
• Contains 50 questions
• Is out of 100 marks
• Has a pass mark of 50%
• Contains the following question types: multiple choice questions, multiple response questions, multiple response matching questions, and number entry questions - all worth two marks

CAT/FIA Transitional Exams (TT5, TT6 & TT7)

Each exam:

• Is of two hours duration
• Contains 50 questions (40 two-mark questions and 10 one-mark questions)
• Is out of 90 marks
• Has a pass mark of 50%
• Contains the following question types: one and two mark multiple-choice questions, one and two-mark multiple response questions, two-mark multiple response matching questions and two-mark number entry questions.

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CBEs from December 2011

Introductory Certificate in Financial & Management Accounting (FA1 & MA1)

Each exam:

• Is of two hours' duration
• Contains 50 questions
• Is out of 100 marks
• Has a pass mark of 50% and
• Contains two-mark multiple choice questions only

Intermediate Certificate in Financial & Management Accounting (FA2 & MA2)

Each exam:

• Is of two hours' duration
• Contains 50 questions
• Is out of 100 marks
• Has a pass mark of 50% and
• Contains the following question types: multiple choice questions, multiple response questions, multiple response matching questions, and number entry questions - all worth two marks

Diploma in Accounting & Business (FAB, FMA, FFA)

Each exam:

• Is of two hours' duration
• Contains 50 questions
• Is out of 100 marks
• Has a pass mark of 50% and
• Contains the following question types: multiple choice questions, multiple response questions, multiple response matching questions and number entry questions - all worth two marks.

CBE Question Types

• Multiple choice (MCQ) - where you are required to choose one answer from a list of options by clicking on the appropriate 'radio button'.
• Multiple response - where you are required to select more than one response from the options provided by clicking the appropriate tick boxes (typically choose two options from the given list).
• Multiple response matching - where you are required to indicate a response to a number of related statements by clicking on the 'radio button', which corresponds to the appropriate response for each statement.
• Number entry - where you are required to key in a numerical response to a question shown on screen.

Note: the TT5, TT6 (INT) and TT7 transitional exams follow the same syllabus as the equivalent ACCA Qualification exams (F1, F3 (INT) and F2 respectively).

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