ACCA
Paper P1
Governance, Risk and
Ethics
Complete Text
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Contents
Page
Chapter 1
Theory of governance
Chapter 2
Development of corporate governance
47
Chapter 3
The board of directors
55
Chapter 4
Directors' remuneration
105
Chapter 5
Relations with shareholders and disclosure
123
Chapter 6
Corporate governance approaches
139
Chapter 7
Corporate social responsibility and corporate
governance
159
Chapter 8
Internal control systems
183
Chapter 9
Audit and compliance
221
Chapter 10
Risk and the risk management process
263
Chapter 11
Controlling risk
309
Chapter 12
Ethical theories
355
Chapter 13
Professional and corporate ethics
383
Chapter 14
Ethical decision making
435
Chapter 15
Social and environmental issues
453
Chapter 16
Questions & Answers
487
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chapter
Introduction
Paper Introduction
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Introduction
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Syllabus
Paper background
The aim of ACCA paper P1, Governance, Risk and Ethics, is to apply
relevant knowledge, skills and exercise professional judgement in carrying
out the role of the accountant relating to governance, internal control,
compliance and the management of risk within an organisation, in the
context of an overall ethical framework.
Objectives of the syllabus
•
Define governance and explain its function in the effective management
and control of organisations and of the resources for which they are
accountable.
•
Evaluate the professional accountant’s role in internal control, review
and compliance.
•
•
Explain the role of the accountant in identifying and assessing risk.
•
Demonstrate the application of professional values and judgement
through an ethical framework that is in the best interests of society and
the profession, in compliance with relevant professional codes, laws
and regulations.
Explain and evaluate the role of the accountant in controlling and
mitigating risk.
Core areas of the syllabus
•
•
•
•
•
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Governance and responsibility.
Internal control and review.
Identifying and assessing risk.
Controlling and managing risk.
Professional values, ethics and social responsibility.
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Syllabus objectives
We have reproduced the ACCA’s syllabus below, showing where the
objectives are explored within this book. Within the chapters, we have
broken down the extensive information found in the syllabus into easily
digestible and relevant sections, called Content Objectives. These
correspond to the objectives at the beginning of each chapter.
Syllabus learning objectives and chapter references:
A GOVERNANCE AND RESPONSIBILITY
1 The scope of governance
(a) Define and explain the meaning of corporate governance.[2] Ch. 1
(b) Explain, and analyse the issues raised by the development of the joint
stock company as the dominant form of business organisation and the
separation of ownership and control over business activity.[3] Ch. 1
(c) Analyse the purposes and objectives of corporate governance in the
public and private sectors.[2] Ch. 1
(d) Explain, and apply in the context of corporate governance, the key
underpinning concepts of:[3] Ch. 1
(i) fairness
(ii) openness/transparency
(iii) innovation
(iv) scepticism
(v) independence
(vi) probity/honesty
(vii) responsibility
(viii)accountability
(ix) reputation
(x) judgement
(xi) integrity.
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Introduction
(e) Explain and assess the major areas of organisational life affected by
issues in corporate governance.[3] Ch. 1
(i) duties of directors and functions of the board (including
performance measurement)
(ii) the composition and balance of the board (and board committees)
(iii) reliability of financial reporting and external auditing
(iv) directors’ remuneration and rewards
(v) responsibility of the board for risk management systems and
internal control
(vi) the rights and responsibilities of shareholders, including
institutional investors
(vii) corporate social responsibility and business ethics.
(f)
Compare, and distinguish between public, private and non
governmental organisations (NGO) sectors regard to the issues raised
by, and scope of, governance.[3] Ch. 1
(g) Explain and evaluate the roles, interests and claims of, the internal
parties involved in corporate governance:[3] Ch.1
(i) directors
(ii) company secretaries
(iii) subboard management
(iv) employee representatives (e.g. trade unions).
(h) Explain and evaluate the roles, interests and claims of, the external
parties involved in corporate governance:[3] Ch. 1
(i) shareholders (including shareholders’ rights and responsibilities)
(ii) auditors
(iii) regulators
(iv) government
(v) stock exchanges
(vi) small investors (and minority rights)
(vii) institutional investors (see also next point).
(i) Analyse and discuss the role and influence of institutional investors in
corporate governance systems and structures, for example the roles
and influences of pension funds, insurance companies and mutual
funds.[2] Ch. 5
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2 Agency relationships and theories
(a) Define agency theory.[2] Ch. 1
(b) Define and explain the key concepts in agency theory:[2] Ch. 1
(i) agents
(ii) principals
(iii) agency
(iv) agency costs
(v) accountability
(vi) fiduciary responsibilities
(vii) stakeholders.
(c) Explain and explore the nature of the principalagent relationship in the
context of corporate governance.[3] Ch. 1
(d) Analyse and critically evaluate the nature of agency accountability in
agency relationships.[3] Ch. 1
(e) Explain and analyse the following other theories used to explain
aspects of the agency relationship:[2] Ch. 1
(i) transaction costs theory
(ii) stakeholder theory.
3 The board of directors
(a) Explain and evaluate the roles and responsibilities of boards of
directors.[3] Ch. 3
(b) Describe, distinguish between and evaluate the cases for and against
unitary and twotier board structures.[3] Ch. 3
(c) Describe the characteristics, board composition and types of directors,
(including defining executive and nonexecutive directors (NED).[2]
Ch. 3
(d) Describe and assess the purposes, roles and responsibilities of NEDs.
[3] Ch. 3
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Introduction
(e) Describe and analyse the general principles of legal and regulatory
frameworks within which directors operate on corporate boards:[2]
Ch. 3
(i) legal rights and responsibilities
(ii) timelimited appointments
(iii) retirement by rotation
(iv) service contracts
(v) removal
(vi) disqualification
(vii) conflict and disclosure of interests
(viii)insider dealing/trading.
(f)
Define, explore and compare the roles of the chief executive officer and
company chairman.[3] Ch. 3
(g) Describe and assess the importance and execution of, induction and
continuing professional development of directors on boards of
directors.[3] Ch. 3
(h) Explain and analyse the frameworks for assessing the performance of
boards and individual directors (including NEDs) on boards.[2] Ch. 3
(i) Explain the meanings of 'diversity' and critically evaluate issues of
diversity on boards of directors.
4 Board committees
(a) Explain and assess the importance, roles and accountabilities of board
committees in corporate governance.[3] Ch. 3
(b) Explain and evaluate the role and purpose of the following committees
in effective corporate governance:[3]
(i) remuneration committees Ch. 4
(ii) nominations committees Ch. 3
(iii) risk committees. Ch. 11
(iv) audit committees. Ch. 9
5 Directors’ remuneration
(a) Describe and assess the general principles of remuneration.[3] Ch. 4
(i) purposes
(ii) components
(iii) links to strategy
(iv) links to labour market conditions.
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(b) Explain and assess the effect of various components of remuneration
packages on directors’ behaviour:[3] Ch. 4
(i) basic salary
(ii) performance related
(iii) shares and share options
(iv) loyalty bonuses
(v) benefits in kind
(vi) pension benefits.
(c) Explain and analyse the legal, ethical, competitive and regulatory issues
associated with directors’ remuneration.[3] Ch. 4
6 Different approaches to corporate governance
(a) Describe and compare the essentials of ‘rules’ and ‘principles’ based
approaches to corporate governance. Includes discussion of ‘comply or
explain’.[3] Ch. 6
(b) Describe and analyse the different models of business ownership that
influence different governance regimes (e.g. family firms versus joint
stock companybased models).[2] Ch. 6
(c) Describe and critically evaluate the reasons behind the development
and use of codes of practice in corporate governance (acknowledging
national differences and convergence).[3] Ch. 2
(d) Explain and briefly explore the development of corporate governance
codes in principlesbased jurisdictions.[2] Ch. 2
(i) impetus and background
(ii) major corporate governance codes
(iii) effects of.
(e) Explain and explore the SarbanesOxley Act (2002) as an example of a
rulesbased approach to corporate governance.[2] Ch. 6
(i) impetus and background
(ii) main provisions/contents
(iii) effects of.
(f)
Describe and explore the objectives, content and limitations of,
corporate governance codes intended to apply to multiple national
jurisdictions.[2] Ch. 6
(i) Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development
(OECD) Report (2004)
(ii) International Corporate Governance Network (ICGN) Report
(2005).
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Introduction
7 Corporate governance and corporate social responsibility
(a) Explain and explore social responsibility in the context of corporate
governance.[2] Ch. 7
(b) Discuss and critically assess the concept of stakeholder power and
interest using the Mendelow model and how this can affect strategy and
corporate governance.[3] Ch. 7
(c) Analyse and evaluate issues of ‘ownership,’ ‘property’ and the
responsibilities of ownership in the context of shareholding.[3] Ch. 7
(d) Explain the concept of the organisation as a corporate citizen of society
with rights and responsibilities.[3] Ch. 7
8 Governance: reporting and disclosure
(a) Explain and assess the general principles of disclosure and
communication with shareholders.[3] Ch. 5
(b) Explain and analyse ‘best practice’ corporate governance disclosure
requirements.[2] Ch. 5
(c) Define and distinguish between mandatory and voluntary disclosure of
corporate information in the normal reporting cycle.[2] Ch. 5
(d) Explain and explore the nature of, and reasons and motivations for,
voluntary disclosure in a principlesbased reporting environment
(compared to, for example, the reporting regime in the USA).[3] Ch. 5
(e) Explain and analyse the purposes of the annual general meeting and
extraordinary general meetings for information exchange between
board and shareholders.[2] Ch. 5
(f) Describe and assess the role of proxy voting in corporate governance.
[3] Ch. 5
9 Public sector governance
(a) Describe, compare and contrast public sector, private sector,
charitable status and nongovernmental (NGO and quasiNGOs) forms
of organisation, including purposes and objectives, performance,
ownership and stakeholders (including lobby groups) [2] Ch.1
(b) Describe, compare and contrast the different types of public sector
organisations at subnational, national and supranational level [2] Ch.1
(c) Assess and evaluate, against the criteria of economy, efficiency and
effectiveness, the strategic objectives, leadership and governance
arrangements specific to public sector organisations as contrasted with
private sector [3]. Ch.1
(d) Discuss and assess the nature of democratic control, political influence
and policy implementation in public sector organisations including the
contestable nature of public sector policy [3]. Ch.1
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(e) Discuss obligations of the public sector organisations to meet the
economy, effectiveness, efficiency (3 E’s) criteria and promote public
value.[3] Ch. 1
B INTERNAL CONTROL AND REVIEW
1 Management control systems in corporate governance
(a) Define and explain internal management control.[2] Ch. 8
(b) Explain and explore the importance of internal control and risk
management in corporate governance.[3] Ch. 8
(c) Describe the objectives of internal control systems systems and how
they can help prevent fraud and error.[2] Ch. 8
(d) Identify, explain and evaluate the corporate governance and executive
management roles in risk management (in particular the separation
between responsibility for ensuring that adequate risk management
systems are in place and the application of risk management systems
and practices in the organisation).[3] Ch. 8
(e) Identify and assess the importance of the elements or components of
internal control systems.[3] Ch. 8
2 Internal control, audit and compliance in corporate governance
(a) Describe the function and importance of internal audit.[1] Ch. 9
(b) Explain, and discuss the importance of, auditor independence in all
clientauditor situations (including internal audit).[3] Ch. 9
(c) Explain, and assess the nature and sources of risks to, auditor
independence. Assess the hazard of auditor capture.[3] Ch. 9
(d) Explain and evaluate the importance of compliance and the role of the
internal audit committee in internal control.[3] Ch. 9
(e) Explore and evaluate the effectiveness of internal control systems.
[3] Ch. 8
(f) Describe and analyse the work of the internal audit committee in
overseeing the internal audit function.[2] Ch. 9
(g) Explain and explore the importance and characteristics of, the audit
committee’s relationship with external auditors.[2] Ch. 9
3 Internal control and reporting
(a) Describe and assess the need to report on internal controls to
shareholders.[3] Ch. 9
(b) Describe the content of a report on internal control and audit.[2] Ch. 9
(c) Explain and assess how internal controls underpin and provide
information for accurate financial reporting.[3] Ch. 9
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Introduction
4 Management information in audit and internal control
(a) Explain and assess the need for adequate information flows to
management for the purposes of the management of internal control
and risk.[3] Ch. 8
(b) Evaluate the qualities and characteristics of information required in
internal control and risk management and monitoring.[3] Ch. 8
C IDENTIFYING AND ASSESSING RISK
1 Risk and the risk management process
(a) Define and explain risk in the context of corporate governance.[2]
Ch. 10
(b) Define and describe management responsibilities in risk management.
[2] Ch. 11
(c) Explain the dynamic nature of risk assessment.[2] Ch. 10
(d) Explain the importance and nature of management responses to
changing risk assessments.[2] Ch. 10
(e) Explain risk appetite and how this affects risk policy.[2] Ch. 11
2 Categories of risk
(a) Define and compare (distinguish between) strategic and operational
risks.[2] Ch. 10
(b) Define and explain the sources and impacts of common business risks:
[2] Ch. 10
(i) market
(ii) credit
(iii) liquidity
(iv) technological
(v) legal
(vi) health, safety and environmental
(vii) reputation
(viii)business probity
(ix) derivatives.
(c) Describe and evaluate the nature and importance of business and
financial risks.[3] Ch. 10
(d) Recognise and analyse the sector or industryspecific nature of many
business risks.[2] Ch. 10
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3 Identification, assessment and measurement of risk
(a) Identify, and assess the impact upon, the stakeholders involved in
business risk.[3] Ch. 10
(b) Explain and analyse the concepts of assessing the severity and
probability of risk events.[2] Ch. 10
(c) Describe and evaluate a framework for board level consideration of
risk.[3] Ch. 10
(d) Describe the process of and importance of, externally reporting on
internal control and risk.[2] Ch. 11
(e) Explain the sources, and assess the importance of, accurate
information for risk management.[3] Ch. 11
(f) Explain and assess the ALARP (as low as reasonably practicable)
principle in risk assessment and how this relates to severity and
probability.[3] Ch. 10
(g) Evaluate the difficulties of risk perception including the concepts of
objective and subjective risk perception.[3] Ch. 10
(h) Explain and evaluate the concepts of related and covariant risk factors.
[3] Ch. 10
D CONTROLLING AND MANAGING RISK
1 Targeting and monitoring of risk
(a) Explain and assess the role of a risk manager in identifying and
monitoring risk.[3] Ch. 11
(b) Explain and evaluate the role of the risk committee in identifying and
monitoring risk.[3] Ch. 11
(c) Describe and assess the role of internal or external risk auditing in
monitoring risk.[3] Ch. 11
2 Methods of controlling and reducing risk
(a) Explain the importance of risk awareness at all levels in an
organisation.[2] Ch. 11
(b) Describe and analyse the concept of embedding risk in an
organisation’s systems and procedures [3] Ch. 11
(c) Describe and evaluate the concept of embedding risk in an
organisation’s culture and values.[3] Ch. 11
(d) Explain and analyse the concepts of spreading and diversifying risk and
when this would be appropriate.[2] Ch. 11
(e) Identify and assess how business organisations use policies and
techniques to mitigate various types of business and financial risks.
[3] Ch. 11
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Introduction
3 Risk avoidance, retention and modelling
(a) Explain, and assess the importance of, risk transference, avoidance
reduction and acceptance.[3] Ch. 11
(b) Explain and evaluate the different attitudes to risk and how these can
affect strategy.[3] Ch. 11
(c) Explain and assess the necessity of incurring risk as part of
competitively managing a business organisation.[3] Ch. 10
(d) Explain and assess attitudes towards risk and the ways in which risk
varies in relation to the size, structure and development of an
organisation [3] Ch. 11
E PROFESSIONAL VALUES, ETHICS AND SOCIAL
RESPONSIBILITY
1 Ethical theories
(a) Explain and distinguish between the ethical theories of relativism and
absolutism.[2] Ch. 12
(b) Explain, in an accounting and governance context, Kohlberg’s stages of
human moral development.[3] Ch. 12
(c) Describe and distinguish between deontological and
teleological/consequentialist approaches to ethics.[2] Ch. 12
(d) Apply commonly used ethical decisionmaking models in accounting
and professional contexts:[2] Ch. 14
(i) American Accounting Association model
(ii) Tucker’s 5question model
2 Different approaches to ethics and social responsibility
(a) Describe and evaluate Gray, Owen & Adams (1996) seven positions
on social responsibility.[2] Ch. 12
(b) Describe and evaluate other constructions of corporate and personal
ethical stance:[2] Ch. 12
(i) shortterm shareholder interests
(ii) longterm shareholder interests
(iii) multiple stakeholder obligations
(iv) shaper of society.
(c) Describe and analyse the variables determining the cultural context of
ethics and corporate social responsibility (CSR).[2] Ch. 12
(d) Explain and evaluate the concepts of 'CSR strategy' and 'strategic
CSR'. [2] Ch.7
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3 Professions and the public interest
(a) Explain and explore the nature of a ‘profession’ and ‘professionalism’.
[2] Ch. 13
(b) Describe and assess what is meant by ‘the public interest’.[2] Ch. 13
(c) Describe the role of, and assess the widespread influence of,
accounting as a profession in the organisational context.[3] Ch. 13
(d) Analyse the role of accounting as a profession in society.[2] Ch. 13
(e) Recognise accounting’s role as a valueladen profession capable of
influencing the distribution of power and wealth in society.[3] Ch. 13
(f)
Describe and critically evaluate issues surrounding accounting and
acting against the public interest.[3] Ch. 13
4 Professional practice and codes of ethics
(a) Describe and explore the areas of behaviour covered by corporate
codes of ethics.[3] Ch. 13
(b) Describe and assess the content of, and principles behind,
professional codes of ethics.[3] Ch. 13
(c) Describe and assess the codes of ethics relevant to accounting
professionals such as the IFAC or professional body codes.[3] Ch. 13
5 Conflicts of interest and the consequences of unethical behaviour
(a) Describe and evaluate issues associated with conflicts of interest and
ethical conflict resolution.[3] Ch. 13
(b) Explain and evaluate the nature and impacts of ethical threats and
safeguards.[3] Ch. 13
(c) Explain and explore how threats to independence can affect ethical
behaviour.[3] Ch. 13
6 Ethical characteristics of professionalism
(a) Explain and analyse the content and nature of ethical decisionmaking
using content from Kohlberg’s framework as appropriate.[2] Ch. 14
(b) Explain and analyse issues related to the application of ethical
behaviour in a professional context.[2] Ch. 14
(c) Describe and discuss ‘rules based’ and ‘principles based’ approaches
to resolving ethical dilemmas encountered in professional accounting.
[2] Ch. 13
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Introduction
7 Integrated reporting and sustainability issues in the conduct of
business
(a) Explain and assess the concept of integrated reporting and evaluate
the issues concerning accounting for sustainability (including the
alternative definitions of capital.[3] Ch.15
(i) Financial
(ii) Manufactured
(iii) Intellectual
(iv) Human
(v) Social and relationship
(vi) Natural
(b) Describe and assess the social and environmental impacts that
economic activity can have (in terms of social and environmental
‘footprints’ and environmental reporting).[3] Ch.15
(c) Describe the main features of internal management systems for
underpinning environmental and sustainability accounting such as
EMAS and ISO 14000.[1] Ch.15
(d) Explain and assess the typical content elements and guiding principles
of an integrated l report, and discuss the usefulness of this information
to stakeholders.[3] Ch.15
(e) Explain the nature of social and environmental audit and evaluate the
contribution it can make to the assurance of integrated reports.
[3] Ch.15
The superscript numbers in square brackets indicate the intellectual depth
at which the subject area could be assessed within the examination. Level 1
(knowledge and comprehension) broadly equates with the Knowledge
module, Level 2 (application and analysis) with the Skills module and Level
3 (synthesis and evaluation) to the Professional level. However, lower level
skills can continue to be assessed as you progress through each module
and level.
The Examination
The syllabus will be assessed by a threehour paperbased examination.
The examination paper will be structured in two sections. Section A will be
based on a case study style question comprising a compulsory 50 mark
question, with requirements based on several parts with all parts relating to
the same case information. The case study will usually assess a range of
subject areas across the syllabus and will require the candidate to
demonstrate high level capabilities to evaluate, relate and apply the
information in the case study to several of the requirements. The
requirements will always have an ethics element (section E of the syllabus)
and generally include a significant amount of corporate governance marks.
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Section B comprises three questions of 25 marks each, of which
candidates must answer two. These questions will be more likely to assess
a range of discrete subject areas from the main syllabus section headings,
but may require application, evaluation and the synthesis of information
contained within short scenarios in which some requirements may need to
be contextualised.
Section A
One 50mark question
Section B
Two out of three 25mark questions
Number of marks
50
50
100
Total time allowed: 3 hours
Paperbased examination tips
Spend the first few minutes of the examination reading the paper.
Where you have a choice of questions, decide which ones you will do.
Divide the time you spend on questions in proportion to the marks on offer.
One suggestion for this examination is to allocate 1 and 4/5 minutes to
each mark available, so a 10mark question should be completed in
approximately 18 minutes.
Unless you know exactly how to answer the question, spend some time
planning your answer. Stick to the question and tailor your answer to
what you are asked. Pay particular attention to the verbs in the question.
Spend the last five minutes reading through your answers and making any
additions or corrections.
If you get completely stuck with a question, leave space in your answer
book and return to it later.
If you do not understand what a question is asking, state your assumptions.
Even if you do not answer in precisely the way the examiner hoped, you
should be given some credit, if your assumptions are reasonable.
You should do everything you can to make things easy for the marker. The
marker will find it easier to identify the points you have made if your answers
are legible.
Essay questions: Your essay should have a clear structure. It should
contain a brief introduction, a main section and a conclusion. Be concise. It
is better to write a little about a lot of different points than a great deal about
one or two points.
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Introduction
Multiplechoice questions: don’t treat these as an easy option – you
could lose marks by rushing into your answer. Read the questions carefully
and work through any calculations required. If you don’t know the answer,
eliminate those options you know are incorrect and see if the answer
becomes more obvious.
Objective test questions: might ask for numerical answers, but could also
involve paragraphs of text which require you to fill in a number of missing
blanks, or for you to write a definition of a word or phrase. Others may give a
definition followed by a list of possible key words relating to that description.
Whatever the format, these questions require that you have learnt
definitions, know key words and their meanings and importance, and
understand the names and meanings of rules, concepts and theories.
Computations: It is essential to include all your workings in your answers.
Many computational questions require the use of a standard format. Be sure
you know these formats thoroughly before the exam and use the layouts that
you see in the answers given in this book and in model answers.
Case studies: to write a good case study, first identify the area in which
there is a problem, outline the main principles/theories you are going to use
to answer the question, and then apply the principles/theories to the case.
Reports, memos and other documents: some questions ask you to
present your answer in the form of a report or a memo or other document.
So use the correct format – there could be easy marks to gain here.
Study skills and revision guidance
This section aims to give guidance on how to study for your ACCA exams
and to give ideas on how to improve your existing study techniques.
Preparing to study
Set your objectives
Before starting to study decide what you want to achieve – the type of pass
you wish to obtain. This will decide the level of commitment and time you
need to dedicate to your studies.
Devise a study plan
Determine which times of the week you will study.
Split these times into sessions of at least one hour for study of new material.
Any shorter periods could be used for revision or practice.
Put the times you plan to study onto a study plan for the weeks from now until
the exam and set yourself targets for each period of study – in your sessions
make sure you cover the course, course assignments and revision.
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If you are studying for more than one paper at a time, try to vary your
subjects as this can help you to keep interested and see subjects as part of
wider knowledge.
When working through your course, compare your progress with your plan
and, if necessary, replan your work (perhaps including extra sessions) or, if
you are ahead, do some extra revision/practice questions.
Effective studying
Active reading
You are not expected to learn the text by rote, rather, you must understand
what you are reading and be able to use it to pass the exam and develop
good practice. A good technique to use is SQ3Rs – Survey, Question,
Read, Recall, Review:
(1) Survey the chapter – look at the headings and read the introduction,
summary and objectives, so as to get an overview of what the chapter
deals with.
(2) Question – whilst undertaking the survey, ask yourself the questions
that you hope the chapter will answer for you.
(3) Read through the chapter thoroughly, answering the questions and
making sure you can meet the objectives. Attempt the exercises and
activities in the text, and work through all the examples.
(4) Recall – at the end of each section and at the end of the chapter, try to
recall the main ideas of the section/chapter without referring to the text.
This is best done after a short break of a couple of minutes after the
reading stage.
(5) Review – check that your recall notes are correct.
You may also find it helpful to reread the chapter to try to see the topic(s) it
deals with as a whole.
Notetaking
Taking notes is a useful way of learning, but do not simply copy out the text.
The notes must:
•
•
•
•
•
be in your own words
be concise
cover the key points
be wellorganised
be modified as you study further chapters in this text or in related ones.
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Introduction
Trying to summarise a chapter without referring to the text can be a useful
way of determining which areas you know and which you don't.
Three ways of taking notes:
Summarise the key points of a chapter.
Make linear notes – a list of headings, divided up with subheadings listing
the key points. If you use linear notes, you can use different colours to
highlight key points and keep topic areas together. Use plenty of space to
make your notes easy to use.
Try a diagrammatic form – the most common of which is a mindmap. To
make a mindmap, put the main heading in the centre of the paper and put a
circle around it. Then draw short lines radiating from this to the main sub
headings, which again have circles around them. Then continue the process
from the subheadings to subsubheadings, advantages, disadvantages,
etc.
Highlighting and underlining
You may find it useful to underline or highlight key points in your study text –
but do be selective. You may also wish to make notes in the margins.
Revision
The best approach to revision is to revise the course as you work through it.
Also try to leave four to six weeks before the exam for final revision. Make
sure you cover the whole syllabus and pay special attention to those areas
where your knowledge is weak. Here are some recommendations:
Read through the text and your notes again and condense your notes into
key phrases. It may help to put key revision points onto index cards to look
at when you have a few minutes to spare.
Review any assignments you have completed and look at where you lost
marks – put more work into those areas where you were weak.
Practise exam standard questions under timed conditions. If you are short of
time, list the points that you would cover in your answer and then read the
model answer, but do try to complete at least a few questions under exam
conditions.
Also practise producing answer plans and comparing them to the model
answer.
If you are stuck on a topic find somebody (a tutor) to explain it to you.
Read good newspapers and professional journals, especially ACCA's
Student Accountant – this can give you an advantage in the exam.
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Ensure you know the structure of the exam – how many questions and of
what type you will be expected to answer. During your revision attempt all
the different styles of questions you may be asked.
Further reading
You can find further reading and technical articles under the student section
of ACCA's website.
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