Professional Documents
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Relational diagram of the main capabilities ACCA has two official publishers: BPP
Learning Media and Kaplan Publishing.
This diagram illustrates the flows and links between Both these publishers base their
the main capabilities (sections) of the syllabus and study texts on the detailed contents of the study
should be used as an aid to planning teaching and guides as published by ACCA. ACCA takes no
learning in a structured way. editorial responsibility for the detailed content of
these study texts although ACCA examiners will
annually review their content for general
appropriateness and relevance in supporting
effective study towards ACCA examinations.
In addition ACCA examiners will recommend other
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text books where appropriate, which students may Each syllabus contains between 23 and 35 main
read in order to widen their reading beyond the subject area headings depending on the nature of
approved study texts. Relevant articles will also be the subject and how these areas have been broken
published in student accountant. down.
The syllabus is designed to progressively broaden The structure of examinations varies within and
and deepen the knowledge, skills and professional between modules and levels.
values demonstrated by the student on their way
through the qualification. The Fundamentals level examinations contain
100% compulsory questions to encourage
The specific capabilities within the detailed candidates to study across the breadth of each
syllabuses and study guides are assessed at one of syllabus.
three intellectual or cognitive levels:
The Knowledge module is assessed by equivalent
Level 1: Knowledge and comprehension two-hour paper based and computer based
Level 2: Application and analysis examinations.
Level 3: Synthesis and evaluation
The Skills module examinations are all paper based
Very broadly, these intellectual levels relate to the three-hour papers. The structure of papers varies
three cognitive levels at which the Knowledge from ten questions in the Corporate and Business
module, the Skills module and the Professional level Law (F4) paper to four 25 mark questions in
are assessed. Financial Management (F9). Individual questions
within all Skills module papers will attract between
Each subject area in the detailed study guide 10 and 30 marks.
included in this document is given a 1, 2, or
3 superscript, denoting intellectual level, marked at The Professional level papers are all three-hour
the end of each relevant line. This gives an paper based examinations, all containing two
indication of the intellectual depth at which an area sections. Section A is compulsory, but there will be
could be assessed within the examination. However, some choice offered in Section B.
while level 1 broadly equates with the Knowledge
module, level 2 equates to the Skills module and For all three hour examination papers, ACCA has
level 3 to the Professional level, some lower level introduced 15 minutes reading and planning time.
skills can continue to be assessed as the student
progresses through each module and level. This This additional time is allowed at the beginning of
reflects that at each stage of study there will be a each three-hour examination to allow candidates to
requirement to broaden, as well as deepen read the questions and to begin planning their
capabilities. It is also possible that occasionally answers before they start writing in their answer
some higher level capabilities may be assessed at books. This time should be used to ensure that all
lower levels. the information and exam requirements are properly
read and understood.
LEARNING HOURS
During reading and planning time candidates may
The ACCA qualification does not prescribe or only annotate their question paper. They may not
recommend any particular number of learning hours write anything in their answer booklets until told to
for examinations because study and learning do so by the invigilator.
patterns and styles vary greatly between people and
organisations. This also recognises the wide
diversity of personal, professional and educational
circumstances in which ACCA students find
themselves.
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The Essentials module papers all have a Section A
containing a major case study question with all NOTE ON CASE LAW
requirements totalling 50 marks relating to this Candidates should support their answers with
case. Section B gives students a choice of two from analysis referring to cases or examples. There is no
three 25 mark questions. need to detail the facts of the case. Remember, it is
the point of law that the case establishes that is
Section A of each of the Options papers contains important, although knowing the facts of cases can
50-70 compulsory marks from two questions, each be helpful as sometimes questions include scenarios
attracting between 25 and 40 marks. Section B will based on well-known cases. Further it is not
offer a choice of two from three questions totalling necessary to quote section numbers of Acts.
30-50 marks, with each question attracting
between 15 and 25 marks.
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Syllabus MAIN CAPABILITIES
To develop knowledge and skills in the E Recognise and compare types of capital
understanding of the general legal framework, and and the financing of companies
of specific legal areas relating to business,
recognising the need to seek further specialist legal F Describe and explain how companies are
advice where necessary. managed, administered and regulated
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RATIONALE D The formation and constitution of business
organisations
Corporate and Business Law is divided into eight
areas. The syllabus starts with an introduction to 1. Agency law
the overall English legal system such as the court
system and sources of law – including – human 2. Partnerships
rights legislation. It then leads into the area of the
law of obligations including contract and tort, which 3. Corporations and legal personality
underpin business transactions generally.
4. Company formations
The syllabus then covers a range of specific legal
areas relating to various aspects of business of most E Capital and the financing of companies
concern to finance professionals. These are the law
relating to employment and the law relating to 1. Share capital
companies. These laws include the formation and
constitution of companies, the financing of 2. Loan capital
companies and types of capital, and the day-to-day
management, the administration and regulation of 3. Capital maintenance and dividend law
companies and legal aspects of companies facing
difficulty or in crisis. F Management, administration and regulation of
companies
The final section links back to all the previous areas.
This section deals with corporate governance, ethics 1. Company directors
and ethical behaviour relating to business including
criminal law. 2. Other company officers
3. Breach of contract and remedies The syllabus is assessed by a three hour paper-
based examination.
4. The law of torts
The examination consists of seven 10 mark
5. Professional negligence questions assessing knowledge of the law, and three
10 mark application questions.
C Employment law
1. Contract of employment
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Study Guide 2. Content of contracts
c) Illustrate the rules and presumptions used by a) Explain the meaning of tort.[2]
the courts in interpreting statutes.[1]
b) Identify examples of torts including ‘passing off’
3. Human rights and negligence.[2]
a) Identify the concept of human rights as c) Explain the duty of care and its breach.[2]
expressed in the Human Rights Act 1998.[2]
d) Explain the meaning of causality and
b) Explain the impact of human rights law on remoteness of damage.[2]
statutory interpretation.[2]
e) Discuss defences to actions in negligence.[2]
c) Explain the impact of human rights law on the
common law.[2] 5. Professional negligence
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2. Dismissal and redundancy c) Analyse different types of companies,
especially private and public companies.[2]
a) Distinguish between wrongful and unfair
dismissal including constructive dismissal.[2] d) Illustrate the effect of separate personality.[2]
a) Define the role of the agent and give examples c) Describe the statutory books, records and
of such relationships paying particular regard returns that companies must keep or make.[1]
to partners and company directors.[2]
d) Describe the contents of model articles of
b) Explain how the agency relationship is association.[1]
established.[2]
e) Analyse the effect of a company’s
[2]
c) Define the authority of the agent. constitutional documents.[2]
d) Explain the potential liability of both principal f) Explain how articles of association can be
and agent.[2] changed.[2]
c) Explain the authority of partners in relation to a) Examine the different meanings of capital.[2]
partnership activity.[2]
b) Illustrate the difference between various
d) Analyse the liability of various partners for classes of shares.[2]
partnership debts.[2]
c) Explain the procedure for altering class rights.[2]
e) Explain the way in which partnerships can be
brought to an end.[2] 2. Loan capital
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d) Explain the concept of a company charge and 3. Company meetings and resolutions
distinguish between fixed and floating
charges.[2] a) Distinguish between types of meetings:
ordinary general meetings and annual general
e) Describe the need and the procedure for meetings.[1]
registering company charges.[2]
b) Explain the procedure for calling such
3. Capital maintenance and dividend law meetings.[2]
a) Explain the doctrine of capital maintenance c) Detail the procedure for conducting company
and capital reduction.[2] meetings.[1]
b) Examine the effect of issuing shares at either a d) Distinguish between types of resolutions:
discount, or at a premium.[2] ordinary, special, and written.[2]
a) Discuss the appointment procedure relating to, a) Recognise the nature and legal control over
and the duties and powers of, a company insider dealing.[2]
secretary.[2]
b) Recognise the nature and legal control over
b) Discuss the appointment procedure relating to, money laundering.[2]
and the duties and powers of company
auditors.[2] c) Discuss potential criminal activity in the
operation, management and winding up of
companies.[2]
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d) Distinguish between fraudulent and wrongful
trading.[2]
READING LIST
Kaplan Publishing
Contact number: +44(0)118 989 0629
Website: www.kaplanpublishing.co.uk
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