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This syllabus and study guide are designed to help This section briefly explains the structure of the
with teaching and learning and is intended to examination and how it is assessed.
provide detailed information on what could be
assessed in any examination session Study Guide
Overall aim of the syllabus This is the main document that students and
education and content providers should use as the
This explains briefly the overall objective of the basis of their studies, instruction and materials.
syllabus and indicates in the broadest sense the Examinations will be based on the detail of the
capabilities to be developed within the examination. study guide which comprehensively identifies what
could be assessed within any examination.
Relational diagram linking Management The study guide is a precise reflection and
Accounting (MA)/FMA with other ACCA exams breakdown of the syllabus. It is divided into sections
based on the main capabilities identified in the
This diagram shows direct and indirect links syllabus. These sections are divided into subject
between this examination and other examinations areas which relate to the sub-capabilities included
which preceding or following it. Some examinations in the detailed syllabus. Subject areas are broken
are directly underpinned by others. It indicates down into sub-headings which describe the detailed
where you are expected to have underpinning outcomes that could be assessed in examinations.
knowledge and where it would be useful to review These outcomes indicate what exams may require
previous learning before undertaking study. students to demonstrate, and the broad intellectual
level at which these may need to be demonstrated
Main capabilities (*see intellectual levels below).
The aim of the syllabus is broken down into several Intellectual levels
main capabilities which divide the syllabus and
study guide into discrete sections. The syllabus is designed to progressively broaden
and deepen the knowledge, skills and professional
Relational diagram of main capabilities values demonstrated by the student on their way
through the qualification.
This diagram illustrates the flows and links between
the main capabilities (sections) of the syllabus and The specific capabilities within the detailed
should be used as an aid to planning teaching and syllabuses and study guides are assessed at one of
learning in a structured way. three intellectual or cognitive levels:
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Each subject area in the detailed study guide examination.
included in this document is given a 1, 2, or 3
superscript, denoting intellectual level, marked at The Corporate and Business Law exam is a two-
the end of each relevant line. This gives an hour computer-based objective test examination for
indication of the intellectual depth at which an area English and Global, and available as a paper based
could be assessed within the examination. However, version for all variants.
while level 1 broadly equates with Applied
Knowledge , level 2 equates to Applied Skills and The other Applied Skills examinations
level 3 to Strategic Professional, some lower level (PM, TX-UK, FR, AA, and FM) contain a mix of
skills can continue to be assessed as the student objective and longer type questions with a
progresses through each level. This reflects that at duration of three hours for 100 marks; these
each stage of study there will be a requirement to questions directly contribute towards the candidate
broaden, as well as deepen capabilities. It is also result. These exams are available in computer-based
possible that occasionally some higher level and paper-based formats. Prior to the start of each
capabilities may be assessed at lower levels. exam there will be time allocated for students to be
informed of the exam instructions.
Learning hours and education recognition
Computer-based exams
The ACCA qualification does not prescribe or
recommend any particular number of learning hours For the Applied Skills (PM, TX-UK, FR, AA and FM)
for examinations because study and learning computer-based exams candidates will be delivered
patterns and styles vary greatly between people and an extra 10 marks of objective test content (either
organisations. This also recognises the wide five single OT questions or five OT questions based
diversity of personal, professional and educational around a single scenario), for which candidates are
circumstances in which ACCA students find given an extra 20 minutes. These questions are
themselves. included to ensure fairness, reliability and security
of exams. These questions do not directly contribute
As a member of the International Federation of towards the candidate’s score. Candidates will not
Accountants, ACCA seeks to enhance the education be able to differentiate between the questions that
recognition of its qualification on both national and contribute to the result and those that do not. All
international education frameworks, and with questions have been subject to ACCA’s regulatory
educational authorities and partners globally. In approved quality assurance process.
doing so, ACCA aims to ensure that its qualifications
are recognized and valued by governments, The total exam time is therefore 3 hours and 20
regulatory authorities and employers across all minutes. Prior to the start of the exam candidates
sectors. To this end, ACCA qualifications are are given an extra 10 minutes to read the exam
currently recognized on the education frameworks in instructions.
several countries. Please refer to your national
education framework regulator for further Paper-based exams
information about recognition.
For paper-based exams 15 minutes are added to
Each syllabus contains between 20 and 35 main the three hours to reflect the manual effort required
subject area headings depending on the nature of as compared to computer-based exams. All paper-
the subject and how these areas have been broken based and computer-based questions have been
down. subject to the same quality assurance process.
There will be time awarded by the invigilator to read
Guide to ACCA examination structure the exam instructions.
The structure of examinations varies within and Strategic Business Leader is ACCA’s case study
between levels. examination at the Strategic Professional level and
is examined as a closed book exam of four hours,
The Applied Knowledge examinations contain 100% including reading, planning and reflection time
compulsory questions to encourage candidates to which can be used flexibly within the examination.
study across the breadth of each syllabus. These There is no pre-seen information and all exam
are assessed by a two-hour computer based related material, including case information and
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exhibits are available within the examination. Regulation issued or legislation passed in
Strategic Business Leader is an exam based on one accordance with the above dates may be
main business scenario which involves candidates examinable even if the effective date is in the future.
completing several tasks within which additional
material may be introduced. All questions are The term issued or passed relates to when
compulsory and each examination will contain a regulation or legislation has been formally approved.
total of 80 technical marks and 20 Professional The term effective relates to when regulation or
Skills marks. The detail of the structure of this exam legislation must be applied to entity transactions
is described in the Strategic Business Leader and business practices.
syllabus and study guide document.
The study guide offers more detailed guidance on
The other Strategic Professional exams are all of the depth and level at which the examinable
three hours and 15 minutes duration. All contain documents will be examined. The study guide
two Sections and all questions are compulsory. should therefore be read in conjunction with the
These exams all contain four professional marks. examinable documents list.
The detail of the structure of each of these exams is
described in the individual syllabus and study guide
documents.
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Qualification structure
The qualification structure requires candidates who wish to be awarded the Diploma in Accounting and Business
to pass the Accountant in Business (AB)FAB, Management Accounting (MA)FMA and the Financial Accounting
(FA)FFA examinations and successfully complete the Foundations in Professionalism (FiP) module.
* Foundations in Professionalism
Syllabus structure
The Foundations Level suite of qualifications is designed so that a student can progress through three discrete
levels; Introductory Certificate level, Intermediate Certificate level and the Diploma level.
Students are recommended to enter Foundations Level at the level which is most appropriate to their needs and
to take examinations in order, but this is not a mandatory requirement
Performance
Management (PM)
FL
FMA Management
Accounting (MA)
MA2
MA1
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Management Accounting The syllabus then looks at the preparation and use
of budgeting and standard costing and variance
(MA)/FMA Syllabus and analysis as essential tools for planning and
controlling business costs. The syllabus concludes
Study Guide with an introduction to measuring and monitoring
the performance of an organisation
This syllabus and study guide is designed to help
with planning study and to provide detailed
information on what could be assessed in any MAIN CAPABILITIES
examination session.
On successful completion of this paper, candidates
AIM should be able to:
To develop knowledge and understanding of A Explain the nature, source and purpose of
management accounting techniques to support management information
management in planning, controlling and monitoring
performance in a variety of business contexts. B Explain and apply cost accounting techniques
The syllabus for Management Accounting D Compare actual costs with standard costs and
(MA)/FMA, introduces candidates to elements of analyse any variances
management accounting which are used to make
and support decisions. E Explain and apply performance measurements
and monitor business performance.
The syllabus starts by introducing the nature, the
source and purpose of cost accounting and the
costing techniques used in business which are
essential for any management accountant.
Budgeting
(C)
Cost accounting
techniques
Standard costing (B)
(D)
Performance
measurement
(E) 5
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Detailed Syllabus E Performance measurement
4 Presenting information
2. Statistical techniques
3. Budget preparation
4. Flexible budgets
D Standard costing
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Study Guide (Note: Derivation of random samples will not
be examined)
A THE NATURE, SOURCE AND PURPOSE OF
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION 3. Cost classification
g) Explain the limitations of management f) Explain and illustrate the use of codes in
information in providing guidance for categorising transaction.[k]
managerial decision-making.[k]
g) Describe and illustrate, graphically, different
2. Sources of data types of cost behaviour.[s]
a) Describe sources of information from within h) Use high/low analysis to separate the fixed and
and outside the organisation (including variable elements of total costs including
government statistics, financial press, situations involving semi variable and stepped
professional or trade associations, quotations fixed costs and changes in the variable cost per
and price list.[k] unit.[s]
b) Explain the uses and limitations of published i) Explain the structure of linear functions and
information/data (including information from equations.[s]
the internet) .[k]
j) Explain and illustrate the concept of cost
objects, cost units and cost centres.[s].
c) Describe the impact of general economic
environment on costs/revenue.[k] k) Distinguish between cost, profit, investment and
revenue centres.[k].
d) Explain sampling techniques (random,
systematic, stratified, multistage, cluster and l) Describe the differing needs for information of
quota) .[k] cost, profit, investment and revenue centre
managers.[k]
e) choose an appropriate sampling method in a
specific situation.[s]
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4. Presenting information (iv) Describe different remuneration methods:
time-based systems, piecework systems
a) Prepare written reports representing and individual and group incentive
management information in suitable formats schemes.[k]
according to purpose.[s] (v) Calculate the level, and analyse the costs
and causes of labour turnover.[s]
(vi) Explain and calculate labour efficiency,
b) Present information using tables, charts and
capacity and production volume ratios.[s]
graphs (bar charts, line graphs, pie charts
(vii) Interpret the entries in the labour
and scatter graphs) .[s].
account.[s]
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(i) Describe the characteristics of job and 4 Alternative cost accounting
batch costing.[k]
(ii) Describe the situations where the use of job a) Explain activity based costing (ABC), target
or batch costing would be appropriate.[k] costing, life cycle costing and total quality
(iii) Prepare cost records and accounts in job management (TQM) as alternative cost
and batch costing situations. [s] management techniques.[k]
(iv) Establish job and batch costs from given
information.[s] b) Differentiate ABC, Target costing and life cycle
costing from the traditional costing techniques
b) Process costing (note: calculations are not required) .[k]
(i) Describe the characteristics of process
costing.[k] C BUDGETING
(ii) Describe the situations where the use of
process costing would be appropriate.[s] 1. Nature and purpose of budgeting
(iii) Explain the concepts of normal and
abnormal losses and abnormal gains.[k] a) Explain why organisations use budgeting.[k]
(iv) Calculate the cost per unit of process
outputs.[s] b) Describe the planning and control cycle in an
(v) Prepare process accounts involving normal organisation.[k]
and abnormal losses and abnormal gains.[s]
(vi) Calculate and explain the concept of c) Explain the administrative procedures used in
equivalent units.[s] the budgeting process.[k]
(vii) Apportion process costs between work
remaining in process and transfers out of a d) Describe the stages in the budgeting
process using the weighted average and process ( including sources of relevant data,
FIFO methods.[s] planning and agreeing draft budgets and
(viii)Prepare process accounts in situations purpose of forecasts and how they link to
where work remains incomplete.[s] budgeting).[k]
(ix) Prepare process accounts where losses and
gains are identified at different stages of the 2. Statistical techniques
process.[s]
(x) Distinguish between by-products and joint
a) Explain the advantages and disadvantages of
products.[k]
(xi) Value by-products and joint products at the using high low method to estimate the fixed
point of separation.[s] and variable element of costing.[k].
(xii) Prepare process accounts in situations
where by-products and/or joint products b) Construct scatter diagrams and lines of best
occur. [s] fit.[s]
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e) Adjust historical and forecast data for price e) Prepare master budgets (statement of profit or
movements.[s] loss and statement of financial position) [s]
f) Explain the advantages and disadvantages of f) Explain and illustrate ‘what if’ analysis and
scenario planning [s]
linear regression analysis.[k]
4. Flexible budgets
g) Describe the product life cycle and explain its
importance in forecasting.[k]
a) Explain the importance of flexible budgets in
control[k]
h) Explain the principles of time series analysis
(cyclical, trend, seasonal variation and
b) Explain the disadvantages of fixed budgets in
random elements) .[k]
control[k]
k) Use trend and seasonal variation (additive 5. Capital budgeting and discounted cash flows
and multiplicative) to make budget
forecasts.[s] a) Discuss the importance of capital investment
planning and control[k]
l) Explain the advantages and disadvantages of
time series analysis[k] b) Define and distinguish between capital and
revenue expenditure[k]
[k]
m) Explain the purpose of index numbers
c) Outline the issues to consider and the steps
n) Calculate simple index numbers for one or involved in the preparation of a capital
more variables.[s] expenditure budget[k]
d) Explain and illustrate the difference between
o) Explain the role and features of a computer simple and compound interest, and between
spreadsheet system.[k] nominal and effective interest rates[s]
e) Explain and illustrate compounding and
p) Identify applications for computer discounting[s]
spreadsheets and their use in cost and
f) Explain the distinction between cash flow and
management accounting.[s]
profit and the relevance of cash flow to capital
investment appraisal[k]
3. Budget preparation
g) Identify and evaluate relevant cash flows for
a) Explain the importance of principal budget individual investment decisions.[s]
factor in constructing the budget’.[k]
h) Explain and illustrate the net present value
b) Prepare sales budgets[s] (NPV) and internal rate of return (IRR)
methods of discounted cash flow[s]
c) Prepare functional budgets (production, raw
materials usage and purchases, labour, i) Calculate present value using annuity and
variable and fixed overheads) [s] perpetuity formulae[s]
j) Calculate NPV, IRR and payback (discounted
d) Prepare cash budgets[s] and non-discounted) [s]
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k) Interpret the results of NPV, IRR and payback c) Establish the standard cost per unit under
calculations of investment viability[s] absorption and marginal costing[s]
a) Explain the purpose and principles b) Discuss the purpose of strategic and
of standard costing. [k] operational and tactical objectives and their
role in performance measurement[k]
b) Explain and illustrate the difference between
standard, marginal and absorption costing[k]
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c) Discuss the impact of economic and market (ii) explain the advantages and limitations of
conditions on performance measurement[k] return on investment and residual income[k]
g) Quality of service
d) Explain the impact of government regulation on
performance measurement[k] (i) distinguish performance measurement
issues in service and manufacturing
2 Performance measurement - application industries[k]
(ii) describe performance measures appropriate
a) Discuss and calculate measures of financial
for service industries[k]
performance (profitability, liquidity, activity
and gearing) and non financial measures[s]
3. Cost reductions and value enhancement
b) Perspectives of the balanced scorecard
(i) discuss the advantages and limitations of a) Compare cost control and cost reduction[k]
the balanced scorecard[k]
(ii) describe performance indicators for b) Describe and evaluate cost reduction
financial success, customer satisfaction, methods[s]
process efficiency and growth[k]
(iii)discuss critical success factors and key c) Describe and evaluate value analysis[s]
performance indicators and their link to
objectives and mission statements[k] 4 Monitoring performance and reporting
(iv) establish critical success factors and key
performance indicators in a specific a) Discuss the importance of non-financial
situation[s] performance measures[k]
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SUMMARY OF CHANGES TO MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTING (MA)/FMA
ACCA periodically reviews its qualification syllabuses so that they fully meet the needs of stakeholders including
employers, students, regulatory and advisory bodies and learning providers. These syllabus changes are effective
from September 2018 and the next update will be September 2019
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