ACCA: Technical articles

Activity-based management (ABM) can be defined as the entire set of actions that can be taken on a better informed basis using information derived from activity-based costing (ABC.) The aim is to achieve the same level of output with lower costs. This podcast describes the stages of activity-based management, looks at operational and strategic ABM and explores the use of ABM in conjunction with other performance improvement strategies.

Recent years have witnessed major changes in business structure. Business units are larger and more complex, often spread over several territories. Therefore it is of paramount importance that organisations have effective control mechanisms that will enable management to ensure the survival of the organisation. This podcast explores the contingency theory of management accounting in response to the changing circumstances of the business world.

Relevant to Paper FAU and ACCA Qualification Paper F8 (INT) and (UK), this podcast focuses on the audit of wages, although many of the points made also apply to salaries (the term payroll covers both). Areas covered include common types of payroll fraud, the typical stages in a wages system and the different ways of testing the internal control system.

This podcast takes a look at business-to-business and business-to-consumer e-commerce and its benefits for business, as well as the social and employment costs involved.

If you are aware that danger accompanies an undertaking, then it makes sense to understand the nature of the undertaking and how the danger can be managed. This podcast explores the key phases and features of project management, including rational strategic planning, the project lifecycle, the project initiation document, the project manager and the different kinds of risk that need to be considered.

The law in Singapore concerning restraint of trade is governed by case law rather than legislation. Restraint of trade clauses are commonly found in different kinds of contracts – for example, employment contracts and sale of business contracts. The focus of this podcast is on restraint of trade clauses in employment contracts.

The law relating to companies in Lesotho used to be very similar to the old English Companies Act 1948. However, this is no longer so, and Lesotho now has a new Companies Act (CA) 2011. Relevant to Paper F4 (LSO) this podcast discusses how the companies are incorporated under the CA 2011.

For many years, managers of large businesses have been accused of focusing on short-term rather than long-term performance. This podcast explores the causes of management short termism and the remedies available.

The purpose of this podcast is to provide candidates with a more detailed appreciation of matters pertinent to an auditor, focusing on the need for the auditor of a large limited liability company (in the UK – a limited company) to evaluate the effectiveness of the company’s control environment.

The business rescue provisions are some of the most important new provisions brought about by South Africa’s Companies Act (CA) 2008 applying to companies and close corporations.This podcast provides a brief overview of the meaning of business rescue, the legal consequences of business rescue proceedings and the role of the business rescue practitioner.