Foundations Level syllabuses - February 2013 to January - ACCA

38 Pages·2012·0.16 MB·English

Foundations Level examinationintendsto assessand why.
syllabuses - Detailed syllabus
February 2013 to January
Thisshowsthe breakdownofthe maincapabilities
(sections)of the syllabus into subject areas. Thisis
2014
the blueprintfor the detailed studyguide.
Thissyllabusand study guide isdesigned to help Approach to examining the syllabus
with teachingand learning and isintended to
provide detailed information onwhatcould be Thissectionbrieflyexplains the structure of the
assessed inanyexamination session. examinationand how itisassessed.
THE STRUCTURE OF THE SYLLABUS AND StudyGuide
STUDY GUIDE
Thisisthe maindocumentthatstudentsand
Relational diagram with other papers learning and contentprovidersshould use as the
basisoftheir studies,instructionand materials
Thisdiagram showsdirectand indirectlinks respectively.
between thispaper and other papersprecedingor Examinationswill be based onthe detail ofthe
followingit. Some papersare directlyunderpinned study guide which comprehensivelyidentifieswhat
byother papers. These links are shownassolid line could be assessed inanyexamination session.
arrows. The linksbetween paperswhere there is The study guide isa precise reflectionand
onlyanindirectlink and no required underpinning breakdownofthe syllabus. It isdivided into sections
are shownasdotted line arrows. The relational based onthe maincapabilitiesidentified in the
diagram therefore indicates where youare expected syllabus. These sectionsare divided into subject
to have underpinningknowledge and where itwould areaswhich relate to the sub-capabilitiesincluded
be useful to review previous learningbefore inthe detailed syllabus. Subjectareasare broken
undertakingstudy. downinto sub-headingswhich describe the detailed
outcomesthatcould be assessed inexaminations.
Overall aim ofthe syllabus These outcomesare described usingverbs
indicatingwhatexamsmay require students to
Thisexplainsbrieflythe overall objective ofthe demonstrate, and the broad intellectual level at
paper and indicatesin the broadestsense the which these may need to be demonstrated
capabilitiesto be developed withinthe paper. (*see intellectual levelsbelow).
Main capabilities Learning Materials
Thispaper’saim isbrokendowninto several main ACCA'sApproved Learning Partner -content(ALP-
capabilitieswhich divide the syllabusand study c)isthe programme through which ACCA approves
guide into discrete sections. learning materialsfrom high qualitycontent
providersdesigned to supportstudy towardsACCA’s
Relational diagram ofmaincapabilities qualifications.
Thisdiagram illustrates the flowsand linksbetween ACCA hasone Platinum Approved LearningPartner
the maincapabilities(sections)of the syllabusand content which isBPP LearningMedia. Inaddition,
should be used asanaid to planning teachingand there are a number ofGold Approved Learning
learningina structured way. Partners- content.
Syllabus rationale For informationabout ACCA's
Approved LearningPartners -content, please go
Thisisa narrative explaining how the syllabusis ACCA'sContent Provider Directory.
structured and how the main capabilitiesare linked.
The rationale also explainsinfurther detail whatthe
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The Directoryalso listsmaterialsbySubscribers, GUIDETOEXAM STRUCTURE
these materialshave notbeenquality assured by
ACCA butmaybe helpful if used inconjunctionwith The structure ofexaminationsvarieswithinand
approved learningmaterials. Youwill also betweenmodulesand levels.
find detailsofExaminer suggested Additional The FIA examinationscontain100% compulsory
Readingwhich may be a useful supplementto questionsto encourage candidatesto study across
approved learningmaterials. the breadth ofeach syllabus.
All FIA examinations are assessed bytwo-hour
ACCA'sContent Provider Directorycanbe found paper based and computer based
here – examinations.
http://www.accaglobal.com/learningproviders/alpc/c The passmark for all FIA examination papersis
HU
ontent_provider_directory/search/. 50%.
UH
Relevantarticleswill also be published inStudent GUIDETOEXAMINATION ASSESSMENT
Accountant.
ACCA reserves the right to examine anything
LEVEL OF ASSESSMENTS– INTELLECTUAL contained withinanystudy guide atany
DEMAND examinationsession. Thisincludesknowledge,
techniques, principles, theories,and conceptsas
ACCA qualificationsare designed to progressively specified.
broadenand deepen the knowledge and skills
demonstrated by the student ata range oflevelson For the financial accounting, auditand taxpapers,
their way through each qualification. exceptwhere indicated otherwise, ACCA will
publishexaminabledocumentsonce a year to
Throughout, the studyguidesassessboth indicate exactlywhatregulationsand legislation
knowledge and skills. Therefore a clear distinctionis could potentiallybe assessed withinidentified
drawn, withineach subject area, betweenassessing examinationsessions.
knowledge and skillsand in assessing their
applicationwithinanaccountingor business Examinationsregulationissuedor legislationpassed
context. The assessmentofknowledge isdenoted by onor before 30th September annually,will be
a superscriptK and the assessmentofskillsis assessed from June 1stofthe followingyear to May
denoted by the superscriptS. 31stofthe year after. Please refer to the
examinable documentsfor the paper (where
VALUEOF ASSESSMENTS – EDUCATION relevant)for further information.
RECOGNITION
Regulationissued or legislationpassed in
ACCA seeksto enhance the educationrecognitionof
accordance with the above datesmay be
itsqualificationsonboth national and international
examinable eveniftheeffectivedate isinthe future.
educationframeworks, and with educational
The term issued or passed relatesto when
authoritiesand partnersglobally.Indoingso, ACCA
regulationor legislationhas beenformallyapproved.
aimsto ensure that itsqualificationsare recognized
and valued by governments, regulatoryauthorities The term effective relates to whenregulationor
and employersacrossall sectors. To thisend, ACCA legislationmustbe applied to entitytransactions
qualificationsare currentlyrecognized onthe and business practices.
educationframeworksin several countries.Please
refer to www.accaglobal.com/en/discover/public- The study guide offersmore detailed guidance on
value/education-learning/recognition-acca.html the depth and level atwhich the examinable
for further information documentswill be examined. The study guide
should therefore be read in conjunctionwith the
examinable documentslist.
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INTRODUCTORY Recording Financial
CERTIFICATE Transactions (FA1)
QUALIFICATION STRUCTURE
The qualificationstructure requirescandidateswho wish to be awarded the IntroductoryCertificate inFinancial
and Management Accountingto passboth the FA1 and MA1 examinationsand successfullycomplete the
Foundationsin Professionalism module.
Introductory
FA1 MA1 Certificate in
+ + FiP* =
Financial and
Management
Accounting
*FoundationsinProfessionalism
Syllabus structure
The FIA suite ofqualificationsisdesigned so thata studentcanprogress through three discrete levels;
Introductory,Intermediate and Advanced, However, entryispossible atanypoint. Studentsare recommended to
enter FIA atthe level which ismostappropriate to their needsand abilitiesand to take examinationsinorder, but
thisisnot a requirement.
FIA FFA
FA2
FA1
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Syllabus MAINCAPABILITIES
Onsuccessful completionof thispaper, candidates
AIM should be able to explainand understand the
following:
To develop knowledge and understandingof the
maintypesofbusinesstransactionsand A. Typesofbusiness transactionsand
documentationand how these are recorded inan documentation
accountingsystem up to the trial balance stage.
B. Dualityof transactionsand the double entry
RATIONALE system
The syllabusfor Paper FA1,Recordingfinancial C. Bankingsystem and transactions
transactions, introducesthe candidate to the
fundamentalsofpreparingand recording financial D. Payroll
documentationfrom originatingdocuments and
processingledger transactions up to the trial E. Ledger accounts
balance stage. It also covers relevantbanking
proceduresassociated with bookkeeping, F. Cash and Bank
maintainingand reconciling cash and petty cash
recordsand preparing the journal and relevant G. Salesand Credit transactions
control accountsand identifyingand correcting
errors. H. Purchases and Credittransactions
I. Reconciliation
J. Preparing the trial balance
RELATIONAL DIAGRAM OF MAINCAPABILITIES
Typesofbusiness transactionsand Dualityof transactionsand the double entry
documentation(A) system (B)
Ledger accounts (E)
Banking
Payroll (D) Cash and Bank (F) Salesand Credit Purchases and Credit
system and
transactions(G) transactions(H)
transactions
(C)
Preparing the trial Reconciliations (I)
balance (J)
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DETAILEDSYLLABUS H. Purchasesand credit transactions
A Typesofbusiness transactionsand 1. Recordingpurchases
documentation
2. Supplier balancesand reconciliations
1. Typesofbusiness transaction
I. Reconciliation
2. Typesofbusinessdocumentation
1. Purpose of control accounts and reconciliation
3. Processofrecordingbusinesstransactions
withinthe accountingsystem 2. Reconcile the cashbook
B Dualityof transactionsand the double entry 3. Reconcile the receivables control account
system
4. Reconcile the payablescontrol account
1. Booksofprime entry
J. Preparingthe Trial Balance
2. Double entry system
1. Prepare the trial balance
3. The journal
2. Correctingerrors
4. Elementsoffinancial statements
C. Banking system and transactions APPROACHTO EXAMINING THE SYLLABUS
1. The bankingprocess The syllabusisassessed by a two hour paper-based
or computer-based examination. Questionswill
2. Documentation assessall partsofthe syllabusand will include both
computational and non-computational elements.
D. Payroll The examinationwill consist of50 two mark
questions.
1. Processingpayroll transactionsinto the
accountingsystem
E. Ledger accounts
1. Prepare ledger accounts
F. Cash and Bank
1. Maintaininga cashbook
2. Maintainingpetty cashbook
G. Salesand Credittransactions
1. Recording sales
2. Customer accountbalances and control
accounts
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INTRODUCTORY Management Information
CERTIFICATE (MA1)
QUALIFICATION STRUCTURE
The qualificationstructure requirescandidateswho wish to be awarded the IntroductoryCertificate inFinancial
and Management Accountingto passboth the FA1 and MA1 examinationsand successfullycomplete the
Foundationsin Professionalism module.
Introductory
FA1 MA1 Certificate in
+ + FiP* =
Financial and
Management
Accounting
*FoundationsinProfessionalism
Syllabus structure
The FIA suite ofqualificationsisdesigned so thata
studentcanprogressthrough three discrete levels;
Introductory,Intermediate and Advanced, However,
entry ispossible atanypoint. Students are
recommended to enter FIA atthe level which is
mostappropriate to their needsand abilitiesand to
take examinationsinorder, but thisisnota
requirement.
FIA FMA
MA2
MA1
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Syllabus Itfinallyintroducescandidatesto
spreadsheets asanimportanttool insupporting cost
and managementaccounting.
AIM
MAINCAPABILITIES
To develop knowledge and understandingof
providingbasic management information inan Onsuccessful completionof thispaper, candidates
organisation to supportmanagementin planning should be able to:
and decision-making.
A Explain the nature and purpose ofcostand
RATIONALE managementaccounting
The syllabusfor paper MA1, Management B Identifysource documentsin a costingsystems
Information, introduces candidatesto basic costing and correctlycode data
principlesand techniquesand the toolswith which
to use these principlesand techniques C Classify costsby nature, behaviour and
The syllabusstartsbyintroducingbusiness purpose
organisationsand the specific role ofmanagement
accountantwithinthe organisation. The nextsection D Record costsfor material, labour and expenses
dealswith costclassification followed bythe
identificationof sourcesofinformationand coding, E Provide informationonactual and expected
to ensure thatcostinformationisproperlyclassified. costs
The syllabusthenintroduces basic techniquesfor
recordingcostsfollowed byhow to provide F Use the spreadsheet system inMicrosoftexcel
information.
RELATIONAL DIAGRAM OF MAINCAPABILITIES
The nature and purpose ofcostand managementaccounting(A)
Source documentsand coding
(B)
Costclassificationand measurement
(C)
Spreadsheets
(F)
Recordingcosts
(D)
Providinginformation
(E)
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DETAILEDSYLLABUS APPROACHTO EXAMINING THE SYLLABUS
A The nature and purpose ofcostand The syllabusisassessed by a two hour computer-
management accounting based or paper based examination. Questionswill
assessall partsofthe syllabusand will include both
1. Nature of businessorganisationand the computational and noncomputational elements.
accountingsystems The examinationwill consist of50 two-mark
questions.
2. Nature and purpose ofmanagement
information
B Source documents and coding
1. Sourcesofinformation
2 Codingsystem
C Costclassificationand measurement
1. Costclassificationand behaviour
2 Cost units, costcentres, profitcentresand
investmentcentres
D Recordingcosts
1. Accountingfor materials
2. Accountingfor labour
3. Accountingfor other expenses
4 Accountingfor product costs
E Providinginformation
1 Information for comparison
2 Reportingmanagementinformation
F The spreadsheet system
1 Spreadsheetsystem overview
2 Using computer spreadsheets
3 Presentinginformationinspreadsheets
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INTERMEDIATE Maintaining Financial
CERTIFICATE Records (FA2)
QUALIFICATION STRUCTURE
The qualificationstructure requirescandidateswho wish to be awarded the Intermediate Certificate inFinancial
and Management Accountingto passboth the FA2 and MA2 examinationsand successfullycomplete the
Foundationsin Professionalism module.
Intermediate
FA2 MA2 Certificate in
+ + FiP* =
Financial and
Management
Accounting
*FoundationsinProfessionalism
Syllabus structure
The FIA suite ofqualificationsisdesigned so thata
studentcanprogressthrough three discrete levels;
Introductory,Intermediate and Advanced, However,
entry ispossible atanypoint. Students are
recommended to enter FIA atthe level which is
mostappropriate to their needsand abilitiesand to
take examinationsinorder, but thisisnota
requirement.
FIA FFA
FA2
FA1
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Syllabus coversthe preparationof final accountsfor sole
tradersand for partnerships.
AIM MAINCAPABILITIES
To develop knowledge and understandingof the Onsuccessful completionof thispaper, candidates
underlyingprinciplesand conceptsrelating to should be able to:
MaintainingFinancial Recordsand technical
proficiency in the use ofdouble-entryaccounting A. Explain generallyaccepted accounting
techniquesincluding the preparationofbasic principlesand concepts
financial statements
B. Outline the principlesand processofbasic
RATIONALE bookkeeping
The syllabusfor Paper FA2,MaintainingFinancial C. Preparingjournalsand ledger accounts
Records, introducesthe candidate to the
fundamentalsofMaintaining Financial Records, D. Record transactionsand events
explaining itscontextand purpose with reference to
accountspreparation. The syllabusthen E. Prepare a trial balance (includingidentifying
concentratesin depth onthe double-entrysystem and correctingerrors)
and onrecording, processing, and reporting
businesstransactionsand events, including the K. Reconcile the control accountsand cashbook
specific accountingfor fixed assets. The syllabus
thencoversthe use of the extended trial balance L. Extendingthe trial balance, year end
and how to identifyand correcterrors, includingthe adjustmentsand final accounts
reconciliationof the control accounts, and the
postingofperiod end adjustments. The syllabusalso M. Accountfor partnerships.
RELATIONAL DIAGRAM OF MAINCAPABILITIES
Generallyaccepted
accountingprinciples Principlesand processofbasic
and concepts(A) bookkeeping(B)
Recording
transactions
Preparing Journalsand Ledger Accounts (C)
and events (D)
Accountingfor
partnerships (H)
Reconciliations
Preparinga trial balance (E)
(F)
Extendingthe trial balance, year end adjustmentsand final accounts(G)
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