ACCA: Technical articles

Paper P5 is an advanced performance management paper. It looks at different types of performance management systems and considers whether or not they provide useful information to the management of an organisation. Much higher skills are required at Paper P5, and there is much greater application of your knowledge to life like scenarios. This podcast explores the knowledge and skills that must be carried over from Paper F5 and how they must be developed in order to succeed at Paper P5.

This podcast takes an in-depth look at the causes and consequences of the European debt crisis. It explores the courses of action that have been taken so far and what might be done next, as well as the implications of these actions for businesses and individuals.

When ethics appears in an optional question in the Paper P7 exam, it is often a popular choice for candidates, but their answers often lack detail and are not well applied to the question scenario. This podcast aims to assist candidates in terms of knowledge and question technique when tackling a question on ethics.

Paper P4 is the advanced financial management paper at the Professional level. It follows on from Paper F9 at the Fundamentals level. Paper P4 expects candidates to have more depth of knowledge, better analytical skills, and to be able to exercise greater professional judgement than at Paper F9. This podcast explores the key knowledge that must be brought forward and developed from Paper F9, how to study Paper P4 and what to do in the exam.

A learning organisation is a sustainable enterprise. The risk of not being a learning organisation is stagnation or elimination. The learning of an organisation is determined by the learning of the individuals. Organisations need to continue to learn and retain that learning, their skills and abilities, to sustain their position in the dynamic marketplace.

Part B of the syllabus for Paper F1/FAB, Accountant in Business is concerned with the study of business organisation structure, functions and governance. Mintzberg’s model breaks down the organisation into five generic components, considering the role of each in relation to coordinating its activities. This podcast explores Mintzberg's model in detail.

This podcast addresses a specific question that caused considerable difficulty in the June 2014 exam in order to give a marker’s perspective on the breadth and depth of response that is required in a Paper P5 answer. Continuing on from Part 1, which looks at weak solutions to the question, Part 2 analyses two possible passing solutions. Before listening, it is essential to have read the scenario and requirement for Question 1 part (i) of the June 2014 Paper P5 exam - available at www.accaglobal.com

This podcast addresses a specific question from the June 2014 exam in order to give a marker’s perspective on the breadth and depth of response that is required in a Paper P5 answer and to help candidates avoid making basic mistakes. Part 1 analyses some poor answers to the question. Before listening, it is essential to have read the scenario and requirement for Question 1 part (i) of the June 2014 Paper P5 exam - available at www.accaglobal.com

This podcast focuses on the provision of direct assistance to external auditors by the internal auditors of an entity, which – to date – has been a very controversial issue. ISA 610, Using the Work of Internal Auditors, focuses on whether the external auditor can use the work of the internal audit function for purposes of audit, and the revised version of the standard, published in 2013, clarifies whether the internal auditors can be used to provide direct assistance to the external auditor. The material pertaining to direct assistance is effective for audits of financial statements for periods ended on or after 15 December 2014.

During recent years the business environment has become far more complex, dynamic, turbulent and uncertain. The weaknesses of traditional budgeting processes have been the subject of much attention. This podcast looks at the 'beyond budgeting' model and its potential application in both the private and the public sectors.