ACCA Subjects & Syllabus 2023 - Exam Pattern

ACCA Subjects & Syllabus 2023 - Exam Pattern

Edited By Team Careers360 | Updated on Sep 27, 2023 06:42 PM IST

ACCA Subjects and Syllabus 2023 - ACCA course is divided into three levels namely Knowledge Level, Skill Level and Professional Level. ACCA subjects list cover various verticals of finance, accounting, taxation, and business-related aspects. The ACCA course syllabus consists of a total of 13 subjects such as business and technology, management accounting, financial accounting, corporate and business law, taxation, performance management, financial reporting, audit and assurance, financial management, etc. Candidates preparing for ACCA must take note of the subjects included in the ACCA exam. Read the complete article to know more about ACCA 2023 subjects and syllabus, exam pattern and other relevant information.
Also check - ACCA Full Form

ACCA Exam Pattern

The first four ACCA exams (BT, MA, FA, and LW) are on-demand, which can be booked through an approved nearby ACCA centre any time during the year. The remaining nine exams are conducted four times a year in the months of March, June, September, and December. The ACCA paper pattern has two parts: computer-based exam and paper-based exam, that include MCQ-based and scenario-based questions. The ACCA paper-wise exam pattern is mentioned below.

ACCA Paper Wise Exam Pattern 2023

Paper

Pattern

Papers F1 to F4

There will be around 50 MCQ-based question. Each question will carry 2 marks.

Papers F5 to F9

In this section there will be 60% MCQ based and 40% long answer questions.

Section A - 15 questions, two marks each.

Section B - Comprises three scenario-based questions containing 15 marks each. Each scenario is followed by five MCQ based questions.

In long answer type questions: A scenario will be given and 3–4 questions will be asked on the basis of the given scenario.


Papers P1 to P6

Scenario based questions.

Section A - A case study worth 50 marks will be given and 4 to 5 questions will be asked on it. It also includes 4 to 6 professional marks also.

Section B - 3 cases out of which 2 need to be attempted. Each carrying 25 marks.

ACCA Syllabus 2023

ACCA Levels

ACCA Subjects

Foundation

ACCA Diploma in Financial and Management Accounting (RQF Level 2)

ACCA Diploma in Financial and Management Accounting (RQF Level 3)

ACCA Diploma in Accounting and Business (RQF Level 4)

Certified Accounting Technician (CAT)

Knowledge Level

F1 - Business & Technology (BT)

F2 - Management Accounting (MA)

F3 - Financial Accounting (FA)

Skill Level

F4 - Corporate and Business Law (LW)

F5 - Taxation (TX)

F6 - Performance Management (PM)

F7 - Financial Reporting (FR)

F8 - Audit and Assurance (AA)

F9 - Financial Management (FM)

Professional Level

P1 - Strategic Business Leader (SBL)

P2 - Strategic Business Reporting (SBR)

Optional Subjects in the Professional Level

P3 - Advanced Financial Management (AFM)

P4 - Advanced Performance Management (APM)

P5 - Advanced Taxation (ATX)

P6- Advanced Audit and Assurance (AAA)

ACCA 2023 Subject-Wise Important Topics

Foundational level course

There are a total of nine subjects in ACCA Foundation level course F1 to F9. Candidates without a qualifying undergraduate degree or relevant professional qualification (such as a CA) must successfully complete all nine courses in this category to be eligible for ACCA Certification. Those with a CA, CS, or other professional undergraduate degree can avail certain exemptions. Given below are some of the subject wise important topics in ACCA Foundation level course.

ACCA Foundation Level Course Important Topics

Paper

Topics

Paper F1 – Business and Technology (BT)

  • Organizational structure, leadership, and management in business

  • Environmental factors that have a major impact on business and accounting

  • History of Accounting in business

  • Accounting functions and internal control procedures

  • Managing and directing both teams and individual people

  • Hiring and training efficient personnel

Paper F2 – Management Accounting

  • Nature of cost and management accounting

  • Classification of costs, behaviour, and goal

  • Spreadsheets on computers and business mathematics

  • Cost Accounting Techniques

  • Standard costing and budgeting

  • Techniques for making quick decisions

Paper F3 – Financial Accounting

  • Financial reporting context and goal

  • Qualitative aspects of financial data and the basic principles of accounting

  • Double-entry accounting methods and uses

  • Keeping track of events and transactions

  • Trial balance preparation

  • Preparation of financial statements

ACCA Skill Level Course

There are six subjects in ACCA under skill level. It analyses candidate’s practical finance abilities to work as a professional accountant in any sector or company. The detailed syllabus is mentioned in the table below.

ACCA skill level important subjects

Paper

Topics

Paper F4 – Corporate and Business Law

  • Important components of the legal system

  • Law of Obligations

  • Employment law

  • the establishment and structure of business organisations

  • Capital and business finance

  • Management, administration and the regulation of companies

  • Legal implications for businesses that are struggling or in crisis

  • Governance and ethical issues relating to business

Paper F5 – Performance Management

  • Cost accounting methods

  • Decision-making

  • forecasting and planning

  • Standard Costing and variance analysis

  • Performance management


Paper F6 – Taxation

  • Trading profits

  • Capital allowances

  • Employment income

  • Property business profits

  • Investment income

  • Personal tax computations

  • National insurance

  • Corporation tax

  • Capital gains tax

  • Value added tax

  • Self assessment


Paper F7 – Financial Reporting

  • Conceptual framework

  • Regulatory framework

  • Making financial statements

  • Business combinations

  • Analysing and interpreting

Paper F8: Financial Management (FM)

  • Responsibilities of a financial manager

  • Financial management

  • Valuation of investments and businesses

  • Management of firm finances and capital costs

  • Managing working capital

  • Risk analysis for businesses


Paper F9: Assurance and Audit

  • Function of financial management

  • Environment of financial management

  • Working capital administration

  • Investment appraisal

  • Business finance

  • Capital costs

  • Business valuation

  • Management of risk


ACCA Syllabus - Professional level

Paper

Subjects

Paper P1 –Strategic Business Leader (SBL)

The strategic business leader is concerned with the function and significance of governance in the management of an organization. The accountant's role in risk assessment, ethical framework for using professional judgment and values, and other topics are also covered.

Paper P2 – Strategic Business Reporting (SBR)

In this paper candidates practice and learn about the professional and ethical duties of an accountant, the financial reporting framework, financial statement preparation for group entities. Also, they examine potential difficulties with financial reporting. implications of accounting regulation modifications, a review of recent happenings, etc

Paper P4 – Advanced Financial Management (AFM)

  • Roles and obligations to stakeholders

  • Advanced investment appraisal

  • Acquisitions and mergers

  • Restructuring and reorganisation of corporations

  • Treasury and advanced risk management methods

  • Economic environment for multinationals

  • Emerging issues in finance and financial management

Paper P5 – Advanced Performance Management (APM)

  • Strategic control and planning

  • Economic factors

  • Systems performance and design

  • Strategic performance measurement

  • performance management

  • Current developments


Paper P6 – Advanced Taxation (ATX)

  • Modern features of the UK tax system

  • Tax effects and how taxes interact

  • Planning for taxes

  • Communicating with clients, HM Revenue and customs, and professionals

Also check - ACCA Registration 2023

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How many subject are there in ACCA exam?

There are a total of 13 subjects which are divided into three levels such as fundamental, skill and professional level.

2. How many questions will be there in ACCA skill level exam?

There will be both mcq based questions and long answer type question in ACCA skill level exam.

3. What is ACCA course duration?

ACCA course duration is 2-3 years along with 3 years of relevant work experience.

4. What is the age limit to appear in ACCA exam?

Candidates should have completed 18 year of age to apply for ACCA exam.

5. Is ACCA MCQ based

All the papers in ACCA F1 to F4 and 60% of the questions in papers F5 to F9 will be MCQ  based questions.

6. What are the 13 subjects in ACCA?

The following are the subjects of ACCA: Business and Technology (BT) - F1, Management Accounting (MA) - F2, Financial Accounting (FA) - F3, Corporate and Business Law (LW) - F4, Performance Management (PM) - F5, Taxation (TX) - F6, Financial Reporting (FR) - F7, Audit and Assurance (AA) - F8, Financial Management (FM) - F9, Strategic Business Leader (SBL) - P1, Strategic Business Reporting (SBR) - P2, Advanced Financial Management (AFM) - P3, Advanced Performance Management (APM) - P4, Advanced Taxation (ATX) - P5, Advanced Audit and Assurance (AAA) - P6 

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