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MA - FMA - Sept 23-Aug 24 Syllabus and Study Guide - Final - V2 Dates
MA - FMA - Sept 23-Aug 24 Syllabus and Study Guide - Final - V2 Dates
Management
Accounting
(MA/FMA)
Syllabus and study guide
Contents
1. Intellectual levels ..................................... 3
2. Learning hours and education
recognition…………………………………… 3
3. Qualification structure ............................. 3
4. Guide to ACCA examination structure and
delivery mode ............................................. 4
5. Guide to ACCA examination assessment 4
6. Relational diagram linking Management
Accounting (MA/FMA) with other exams ..... 5
7. Approach to examining the syllabus ........ 5
8. Overall aim of the syllabus ...................... 5
9. Introduction to the syllabus...................... 6
10. Main capabilities ................................... 6
11. The syllabus .......................................... 7
12. Detailed study guide.............................. 8
13. Summary of changes to Management
Accounting (MA/FMA) ............................... 15
3. Qualification structure
The qualification structure requires candidates who wish to be awarded the ACCA Diploma
in Accounting and Business (RQF Level 4) to pass the Business and Technology (BT)/FBT,
Management Accounting (MA)/FMA and the Financial Accounting (FA)/FFA examinations
and successfully complete the Foundations in Professionalism (FiP) module.
5. Guide to ACCA
4. Guide to ACCA
examination assessment
examination structure
and delivery mode ACCA reserves the right to examine
anything contained within any study guide
The Foundations examinations contain within any examination session. This
100% compulsory questions to encourage includes knowledge, techniques, principles,
candidates to study across the breadth of theories, and concepts as specified.
each syllabus.
For specified financial accounting, audit and
All Foundations examinations are assessed tax examinations, except where indicated
by two-hour computer-based examinations. otherwise, ACCA will publish examinable
documents once a year to indicate exactly
The pass mark for all FIA examinations is
50%. what regulations and legislation could
potentially be assessed within identified
examination sessions.
Note: Budgeting MTQs in Section B can also include tasks from B2 Analytical techniques in
budgeting and forecasting. B4 Spreadsheets could be included in any of the MTQs, as either
the basis for presenting information in the question scenario or as a task within the MTQ.
The syllabus starts by introducing the nature, the source and purpose of management
information followed by the statistical techniques used to analyse data. Then the syllabus
addresses cost accounting and the costing techniques used in business which are essential
for any management accountant.
The syllabus then looks at the preparation and use of budgeting and standard costing and
variance analysis as essential tools for planning and controlling business activities. The
syllabus concludes with an introduction to measuring and monitoring the performance of an
organisation.
4. Spreadsheets
D Budgeting
2. Budget preparation
3. Flexible budgets
a) Describe the purpose and role of cost c) Describe the different elements of
and management accounting within an production costs - materials, labour and
organisation.[K] overheads.[K]
a) Explain the structure of linear functions n) Explain the purpose of index numbers.[K]
and equations.[S]
o) Calculate simple and multi-item
b) Use the high low method to separate (weighted) index numbers for one or
the fixed and variable elements of total more variables, including Laspeyre and
costs including situations involving semi Paasche indices.[S]
variable and stepped fixed costs and
changes in the variable cost per unit.[S] p) Describe the product life cycle and
explain its importance in forecasting.[K]
c) Explain the advantages and
disadvantages of using the high low 3. Summarising and analysing data
method to estimate the fixed and
variable elements of costing.[K] a) Describe the five characteristics of big
data (volume, variety, velocity, value
d) Construct scatter diagrams and lines of and veracity).[K]
best fit.[S]
b Explain the three types of big data:
e) Analysis of cost data. structured, semi-structured and
(i) Explain the concepts of correlation unstructured.[K]
coefficient and coefficient of
determination.[K] c) Describe the main uses of big data and
(ii) Calculate and interpret the data analytics for organisations.[K]
correlation coefficient and the
coefficient of determination.[S] d) Describe the two types of data:
(iii) Establish a linear function using categorical (nominal and ordinal) and
regression analysis and interpret the numerical (continuous and discrete). [S]
results.[S]
e) Explain the terms descriptive analysis
f) Use linear regression coefficients to and inferential analysis. [K]
make forecasts of costs and revenues.[S]
f) Calculate the mean, mode and median (vii) Produce calculations to minimise
for ungrouped data and the mean for inventory costs when inventory is
grouped data. [S] gradually replenished.[S]
(viii) Describe and apply appropriate
g) Calculate measures of dispersion methods for establishing reorder
including the variance, standard levels where demand in the lead
deviation and coefficient of variation time is constant.[S]
both grouped and ungrouped data.[S] (ix) Calculate the value of closing
h) Calculate expected values for use in inventory and material issues using
decision making.[S] LIFO, FIFO and average
methods.[S]
i) Explain the properties of a normal (x) Explain Just in Time (JIT) as an
distribution.[S] inventory management approach.[K]
j) Interpret normal distribution graphs and
tables.[S] b) Accounting for labour
(i) Calculate direct and indirect costs
4. Spreadsheets of labour.[S]
(ii) Explain the systems used to
a) Explain the role and features of a capture and record labour effort.[K]
computer spreadsheet system.[K] (iii) Prepare the journal and ledger
entries to record labour cost inputs
b) Identify applications for computer and outputs.[S]
spreadsheets and their use in data (iv) Describe different remuneration
analysis, cost and management
methods: time-based systems,
accounting.[S]
piecework systems and individual
and group incentive schemes.[K]
(v) Calculate the level and analyse the
C Cost accounting techniques costs and causes of labour
turnover.[S]
1. Accounting for material, labour and
(vi) Explain and calculate labour
overheads
efficiency, capacity and production
volume ratios.[S]
a) Accounting for materials
(vii) Interpret the entries in the labour
(i) Describe the systems necessary for
account.[S]
the ordering, receiving and issuing
of materials from inventory.[K]
c) Accounting for overheads
(ii) Describe the control procedures
(i) Explain the different treatment of
used to monitor physical and ‘book’
direct and indirect expenses.[K]
inventory and to minimise
(ii) Describe the procedures involved in
discrepancies and losses.[K]
determining production overhead
(iii) Interpret the entries and balances in
absorption rates.[K]
the material inventory account.[S]
(iii) Allocate and apportion production
(iv) Identify, explain and calculate the
overheads to cost centres using an
costs of ordering and holding
appropriate basis.[S]
inventory (including buffer
(iv) Reapportion service cost centre
inventory).[S]
costs to production cost centres
(v) Calculate and interpret optimal
(including using the reciprocal
reorder quantities.[S]
method where service cost centres
(vi) Calculate and interpret optimal
work for each other).[S]
reorder quantities when discounts
(v) Select, apply and discuss
apply.[S]
appropriate bases for absorption
rates.[S]
(vi) Prepare journal and ledger entries (vi) Evaluate the benefit of further
for manufacturing overheads processing.[S]
incurred and absorbed.[S]
(vii) Calculate and explain the under c) Service/operation costing
and over absorption of overheads.[S]
(i) Define the characteristics of service
2. Absorption and marginal costing organisations.[K]
(ii) Identify situations where the use of
a) Explain the importance of, and apply, the service/operation costing is
concept of contribution.[S] appropriate.[K]
(iii) Illustrate suitable unit cost measures
b) Demonstrate and discuss the effect of that may be used in different
absorption and marginal costing on service/operation situations.[S]
inventory valuation and profit (iv) Carry out service cost analysis in
determination.[S] simple service industry situations.[S]
ACCA periodically reviews it qualification syllabuses so that they fully meet the needs of
stakeholders such as employers, students, regulatory and advisory bodies and learning
providers.
The main areas of change to the MA/FMA syllabus are summarised in the table below.
A4c reworded
B2 Forecasting techniques Heading changed to Analytical
techniques in budgeting and
forecasting
C1 Accounting for material, labour and C1a(i) and C1b(ii) have been
overheads reworded to recognise the move
away from manual systems
towards the assumption of
computerised systems.
C1a(x) new learning outcome
covering Just in Time (JIT)
C3 Cost accounting methods C3b - The calculation of unit costs
using process costing, the
concepts of equivalent units and
work in progress and the
preparation of process accounts
have been removed. Subsequent
learning outcomes have been
renumbered.
New C3b((vi) covering further
processing