ACCA F9/FM - (1) Financial management - Chapter 1 - The Financial management function (Part 1)
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Financial Management (FM) Lectures
Business & Technology Lectures
ACCA F1/FAB - Chapter 1 - Business Organisations
ACCA F1/FAB - Chapter 2 - Business organisation and Structure (Part 1.1)
Monday, October 20, 2025
Advanced Financial Management (AFM)
The ACCA Advanced Financial Management (AFM) exam is a crucial part of the Strategic Professional level, expanding on the basics learned in the Financial Management (FM) exam. It's suited for finance professionals aiming to excel in high-level strategic financial choices in challenging situations.
Here's a structured guide to help you prepare:
📘 AFM Topics
AFM centers on advanced financial strategy and decision-making. Key areas include:
Advanced investment evaluation
Real options, global investments, risk-adjusted returns
Mergers and acquisitions
Valuation methods, funding approaches, defensive measures
Corporate restructuring
Financial reorganization, asset sales, and recovery strategies
Treasury and risk management
Risk mitigation methods, currency and interest rate exposure, derivatives
Economic climate
Influence of macroeconomic factors on financial strategy
Ethics and professional conduct
Ethical challenges in financial decision-making
📚 Learning Materials
For effective preparation, consider these resources:
Resource Type Description Link
Syllabus & Study Guide Official ACCA document detailing learning objectives and exam format ACCA AFM Syllabus
Practice Kits Previous exams, practice tests, and review questions Kaplan Practice Kit
Study Notes Concise summaries and explanations of important subjects: AFM Study Notes
🧠 Exam Tips
Become proficient in valuation methods: Discounted cash flow, adjusted present value, and option pricing models are often assessed.
Practice scenario-based questions: AFM exams typically replicate real-world decision-making situations.
Keep up-to-date: Follow financial news to understand how global events impact corporate finance.
Employ ethical frameworks: Use ACCA’s Code of Ethics when dealing with judgment-based questions.
Advanced Taxation (ATX)
The ACCA Advanced Taxation (ATX) exam, a component of the Strategic Professional level, targets individuals seeking to specialize in taxation at a senior advisory capacity. Expanding upon the fundamental understanding acquired in the Taxation (TX) exam, it emphasizes the application of tax regulations in intricate, practical situations.
📘 Core Content
ATX comprehensively explores advanced tax planning and advisory practices across various tax domains:
🧾 Individual & Company Taxation
* Sophisticated calculations for income tax and corporation tax
* Tax strategy development for individuals and organizations
* Utilization of allowances, exclusions, and postponements
💼 Enterprise Structures & Deals
* Tax ramifications of diverse business models (e.g., sole proprietorship, partnership, company)
* Acquisitions and disposals of businesses
* Organizational structures and restructurings of groups
🌍 Global Tax
* Mechanisms for mitigating double taxation
* Regulations regarding foreign income and residency
* Pricing policies between related entities and measures against tax avoidance
⚖️ Ethics & Adherence
* Obligations of tax consultants
* Ethical considerations in tax planning
* Sanctions, audits, and methods for conflict resolution
🧪 Assessment Structure
* Length: 3 hours and 15 minutes
* Exclusively constructed response questions (no multiple-choice)
* One 50-mark case study and two 25-mark questions
* Grading considers both technical correctness and professional competencies (e.g., analytical skills, communication, commercial awareness, professional skepticism)
📚 Learning Materials
* ACCA's ATX learning center
* Learning and revision resources from Kaplan and BPP
* Official examiner insights and technical publications
* ACCA Practice Platform for simulated exams
💡 Key Strategies for Achievement
* Prioritize tax planning and guidance, going beyond mere computations.
* Practice producing well-organized, lucid responses offering client-centered advice.
* Remain informed about current legal amendments and relevant tax matters.
* Employ ethical judgment and consider stakeholder viewpoints to reinforce your rationale.
Advanced Audit and Assurance (AAA)
The ACCA Advanced Audit and Assurance (AAA) exam, part of the Strategic Professional stage, is tailored for individuals seeking advanced roles in auditing and assurance. It expands upon the basic knowledge from the Audit & Assurance (AA) exam, exploring intricate, practical audit situations.
📘 Learning Objectives
AAA emphasizes the use of expert opinion and specialized knowledge in demanding audit settings. Core areas covered include:
🔍 Rules and Regulations
Global Auditing Standards (ISAs)
Moral and workplace standards
Company leadership and threat control
🧪 Audit Execution & Strategy
Audits of groups and subsidiaries
Audits of complicated organizations (e.g., public companies, controlled sectors)
Threat evaluation and importance in advanced settings
📋 Documentation & Assessment
Auditor's opinions with changes
Important matters, business continuity, and later occurrences
Reporting to authorities and other interested parties
🧠 Other Guarantee Assignments
Review assignments, investigative audits, and environmental responsibility assurance
Internal audit versus external audit responsibilities
🧪 Exam Structure
Time Allotment: 3 hours 15 minutes
All open-ended questions—no multiple choice
One 50-mark case study and two 25-mark questions
Points given for both specialized content and workplace abilities (assessment, doubt, opinion, communication)
📚 Learning Materials
ACCA's AAA learning center
Reviewer reports and specialized articles
Practice Platform for simulated exams
Learning texts and revision resources from Kaplan and BPP
💡 Strategies for Achievement
Approach the exam as a realistic audit task—imagine yourself as the lead auditor advising your team or client.
Practice composing precise, organized answers—use headings, bullet points, and straightforward language.
Keep up-to-date with current audit problems—AAA frequently mirrors modern challenges like deception, ESG assurance, and regulatory review.
Concentrate on professional opinion—explain not only what to do, but why it is significant.
Strategic Business Reporting (SBR)
The ACCA Strategic Business Reporting (SBR) exam, a component of the Strategic Professional level, aims to enhance your capacity to make well-reasoned decisions in intricate financial reporting situations. It goes beyond simply using International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), emphasizing interpretation, assessment, and communication of financial data within a strategic framework.
📘 Exam Content
SBR expands on the knowledge gained from Financial Reporting (FR) and delves further into:
📊 Financial Reporting Regulations
Advanced use of IFRS (e.g., IFRS 9, 15, 16, IAS 36, IAS 37)
Challenging topics such as leases, financial instruments, and income determination
🧠 Professional Assessment
Judging accounting approaches and their effects on interested parties
Moral aspects and corporate reporting duties
🧾 Integrated Reporting & Sustainability
Reporting frameworks beyond financials (e.g., <IR>, GRI)
Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) statements
📋 Analysis & Communication
Understanding financial documents for investors and rule-makers
Producing precise, succinct reports and memos with strategic understanding
🧪 Exam Structure
Length: 3 hours 15 minutes
All questions require detailed written answers—no multiple-choice options
Four questions: one 50-mark scenario and three 25-mark questions
Points given for both technical correctness and professional abilities (analysis, communication, business sense, questioning attitude)
📚 Learning Materials
ACCA’s SBR learning center
Examiner feedback and technical publications
Practice Platform for simulated exams
Kaplan and BPP learning materials and review packs
💡 Advice for Achievement
Emphasize explanation and evaluation, not just computation.
Practice crafting organized, professional answers—structure, clarity, and concise points are important.
Keep up-to-date with current reporting matters—SBR often reflects modern difficulties.
Incorporate ethical reasoning and viewpoints of interested parties to reinforce your arguments.
Strategic Business Leader (SBL)
The ACCA Strategic Business Leader (SBL) exam is a key part of the ACCA qualification. It aims to mirror the practical problems faced by experienced finance professionals, merging strategy, leadership, management, uncertainty, and moral principles into a single, comprehensive scenario.
🧠 What You'll Gain
SBL focuses not only on specialized knowledge but also on using good judgment and showcasing professional abilities. The course content includes:
📊 Strategy & Analysis
Developing and carrying out strategic plans
Evaluating competitors (e.g., using SWOT, PESTEL, Porter's Five Forces)
Business structures and how they generate value
🧑💼 Leadership & Governance
Different leadership approaches and their effectiveness
Principles of corporate management and the duties of a board
Managing relationships with interested parties
⚖️ Ethics & Risk
Ethical principles and problematic situations
Identifying, evaluating, and reducing potential issues
Internal checks and balances, and verification processes
📋 Communication & Professional Skills
Creating reports, notes, and presentations
Providing advice and supporting decisions
Managing time and prioritizing tasks
🧪 Exam Format
Time: 4 hours
A single, all-encompassing scenario with various assignments
All questions are based on the scenario
Grades are based on both specialized knowledge and professional abilities (evaluation, communication, business understanding, and critical thinking)
📚 Study Resources
ACCA's SBL learning platform
Official reports and articles
A platform for practicing with sample exams
Study materials and revision resources from Kaplan and BPP
💡 Tips for Success
Approach the exam as you would a real work situation, acting as a senior consultant.
Practice writing clear, brief, and organized answers – using bullet points and headings is helpful.
Pay attention to professional abilities – they make up a significant portion of the grade.
Good time management is essential – plan your time for each task and stick to your plan.
Taxation (TX)
The ACCA Taxation (TX) exam, a part of the Applied Skills level, provides you with the understanding and skills to interpret and utilize tax regulations in real-world business situations. It's crucial for careers in accounting, finance, and consulting.
📘 What You’ll Study
The TX curriculum covers:
🇬🇧 UK Tax System (or relevant version)
Taxation principles and management
Personal income tax
Corporate income tax
Tax on capital gains
Estate tax (if relevant)
Value-added tax and other taxes on spending
🧮 Tax Calculations
Figuring out taxable earnings and tax dues
Using allowances, exclusions, and reductions
Understanding due dates and fines
📋 Ethics & Regulations
Duties of taxpayers and consultants
Rules against tax dodging
Ethical behavior in tax work
🧪 Exam Structure
Section A: 15 multiple-choice questions (2 points each)
Section B: Three case study-based questions (10 points each)
Section C: Two extended questions (20 points each), usually including complex tax calculations and guidance
📚 Learning Materials
ACCA’s Taxation learning center
Kaplan and BPP textbooks and review materials
ACCA Practice Platform for practice tests
Official reports and specialist articles
💡 Tips for Doing Well
Remember key rates and limits—they’re vital for correct calculations.
Practice analyzing situations and applying tax laws logically.
Grasp how different taxes relate to each other, particularly for individuals and businesses.
Use memory aids and summaries to remember intricate rules.
Audit & Assurance (AA)
The ACCA Audit & Assurance (AA) exam, which is part of the Applied Skills level, provides you with the necessary knowledge and methods to grasp the audit process, assess internal controls, and determine the trustworthiness of financial statements. It is well-suited for individuals seeking careers in auditing, compliance, or financial reporting.
📘 What You'll Study
The AA curriculum is organized around important topics:
🔍 Audit Framework & Rules
Goal and extent of audit and assurance
Moral standards and regulatory framework
🧪 Audit Planning & Risk Evaluation
Comprehending the business and its surroundings
Pinpointing and judging audit risks
Significance and audit approach
🧠 Internal Control
Elements of internal control systems
Judging how well controls work
Control weaknesses and advice
📋 Audit Proof
Kinds of audit proof (physical, written, analytical)
Sampling methods and dependability
Using outside confirmations
📊 Audit Reporting
Auditor’s report layouts and viewpoints
Changes and highlighting specific issues
Ongoing operations and events after the reporting period
🧪 Exam Format
Section A: 3 multiple-choice questions (10 points each)
Section B: Two extended response questions (20 points each), frequently involving scenario analysis and report creation
📚 Study Aids
ACCA’s Audit & Assurance learning center
Kaplan and BPP textbooks and review materials
ACCA Practice Platform for practice exams
Examiner feedback and expert articles
💡 Advice for Success
Comprehend the reasoning behind audits, not just the steps—why each action is important.
Practice creating straightforward, brief audit reports and suggestions.
Use actual examples to connect theory to real-world situations.
Examine previous exams to become acquainted with typical situations and errors.
Management Accounting (MA)
The ACCA Management Accounting (MA) exam, previously called F2, is a fundamental part of the Applied Knowledge section and gives you a first look at how financial information is used within an organization to make choices. It focuses on giving managers the tools to plan, manage, and make smart business decisions using financial information.
📘 Key Topics Covered
The MA syllabus covers these main areas:
💰 Cost Calculation Methods
Full and variable costing methods
Costing based on activities
Costing for specific projects, batches, or continuous processes
📊 Planning and Prediction
Different kinds of budgets (static, adaptable, ongoing)
Creating budgets and considering human factors
Methods for predicting future outcomes
📈 Performance Evaluation
Calculating and explaining differences from planned results (materials, labor, overhead)
Finding the reasons behind differences and their consequences
🧠 Making Choices
Costing that focuses on relevant items
Profit and volume analysis
Decisions when resources are limited
📋 Assessing Performance
Financial and non-financial measures
Basic understanding of the balanced scorecard
🧪 Exam Structure
Computer Exam: 2 hours
Part A: 35 multiple-choice questions (2 points each)
Part B: Two longer questions with several parts (15 points each), often with calculations and analysis in a business situation
📚 Study Materials
ACCA-X online courses (some free, some paid)
Study books and practice questions from Kaplan and BPP
ACCA Practice Platform for simulated exams
Official examiner guidance and articles
💡 Tips for Success
Grasp the reasoning behind costing and budgeting, not just the calculations.
Practice explaining the results and suggesting actions.
Use visuals for profit analysis and decision-making processes.
Go through previous exam questions to get used to the style and timing.
Business & Technology (BT)
The ACCA Business & Technology (BT) exam, previously called F1, serves as your introduction to the business and finance field. As part of the Applied Knowledge level, it provides the basic understanding of how businesses function, how individuals interact within them, and how technology supports business activities.
📘 Subject Matter
The BT curriculum covers essential topics:
🏢 Business Setting
Different types of businesses (for-profit vs. non-profit, governmental vs. private)
External factors: economic, regulatory, social, and technological
👥 Business Structure & Practices
Organizational structures like functional, divisional, and matrix setups
Company culture and stakeholder perspectives
🧠 Managing & Leading
Responsibilities of managers versus leaders
Motivational concepts (e.g., Maslow's Hierarchy, Herzberg's Two-Factor Theory)
💻 Technology in Companies
The impact of IT systems on finance and operations
Fundamental principles of cybersecurity and data security
📊 Oversight & Morality
Principles of good corporate oversight
Ethical guidelines and professional behavior
🧪 Assessment Method
Computer-Based Exam (CBE): 2 hours
Part A: 30 multiple-choice questions (2 points each)
Part B: 3 case-based questions (10 points each), based on realistic business situations
📚 Learning Materials
ACCA-X free and premium online courses
Practice Platform for simulated exams
Professional articles and assessor insights
Kaplan and BPP learning resources
💡 Success Strategies
Concentrate on comprehending ideas, not just rote learning.
Use practical examples to connect theory to real-world applications.
Practice analyzing business cases—this is vital for Part B.
Go through previous exam questions to familiarize yourself with the exam format and thinking.
Financial Accounting (FA)
The ACCA Financial Accounting (FA) exam, a component of the Applied Knowledge section, provides the groundwork for grasping the recording, reporting, and analysis of financial data. It is a vital subject for individuals aiming for a profession in accounting or finance.
📘 Learning Objectives
The FA curriculum includes:
Double-entry accounting: Precisely documenting transactions using debits and credits.
Trial balance and corrections: Compiling and rectifying the trial balance.
Financial reports: Producing reports for sole proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations.
Accounting regulations: Introduction to fundamental IFRS concepts.
Elementary analysis: Employing ratios and commentary to evaluate financial results.
🧪 Assessment Structure
Computer-Based Assessment (CBE): 2 hours
Part A: 35 objective questions (2 points per question)
Part B: Two comprehensive questions (15 points per question), frequently involving the creation of financial reports or corrections.
📚 Learning Materials
Available resources:
ACCA’s official FA learning center with modules, flashcards, and sample questions.
ACCA-X online learning modules for structured education.
Sample exams and practice tests with grading guidelines.
💡 Success Strategies
Solidify foundational knowledge: Have a firm grasp of debits and credits.
Rehearse journal entries: Particularly for accruals, prepayments, depreciation, and stock.
Grasp layouts: Be assured in presenting profit and loss statements, statements of financial position, and statements of cash flow.
Utilize the Practice Platform: Replicate actual exam conditions to develop speed and precision.
Corporate and Business Law (LW)
The ACCA Corporate and Business Law (LW) exam provides an introduction to the legal environment impacting business activities. It aims to develop your understanding of how regulations influence business strategy and operations, and to recognize when professional legal counsel is required.
📘 Key Topics Covered
The syllabus focuses on two primary areas:
🏛 Corporate Law
The establishment and structure of organizations
The responsibilities and authorities of company leaders
The rights of company owners
Organizational management and financial failure
⚖️ Business Law
Contractual agreements: creation, stipulations, violations, solutions
Workplace regulations: entitlements and responsibilities
Representation regulations: connections and accountabilities
Judicial systems and origins of law
🧪 Exam Structure
Computer-Based Exam (CBE): 2 hours
Part A: 25 multiple-choice questions (2 points each)
Part B: 5 comprehensive questions (6 points each), based on hypothetical situations
📚 Learning Materials
Available resources include:
The official ACCA LW study resource with sections, quick study aids, and practice questions
Sample assessments and simulated exams with evaluation guidelines
Assessor's analyses and professional articles for further understanding
💡 Success Strategies
Prioritize grasping concepts, rather than simply memorizing rules.
Practice implementing legal principles to practical situations.
Utilize visual aids to illustrate organizational frameworks and legal connections.
Examine previous exam questions to familiarize yourself with the format and reasoning.
Would you like assistance with a particular area such as contractual agreements, responsibilities of company leaders, or perhaps a practice scenario to evaluate your knowledge?
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