ACCA: Technical articles

This series provides some helpful tips on how to complete the ACCA practical experience requirement. Displaying effective networking skills could help you towards achieving performance objective 2, Stakeholder Relationship Management. In this podcast we look at the dos and don'ts of networking at conferences, and how you can make the most out of attending an event.

A key part of the Financial Reporting exam is the ability to analyse a set of financial statements. The statement of cash flows is one of the primary financial statements, and Financial Reporting candidates must be able to explain the performance of an entity based on all of the financial statements including the cash flows given. This podcast explores how candidates can understand the different sections of the statement and analyse the implications for the business.

Transaction costs occur whenever a good or service is transferred from a provider to a user. This podcast looks at transaction cost theory and how it can be used to maximise shareholder profit within organisations.

This two-part podcast is relevant to candidates preparing for the P6 (MYS), Advanced Taxation exam, and is based on the prevailing laws as at 31 March 2017. It collates and discusses the provisions in the Income Tax Act 1967 and the Real Property Gains Tax Act 1976 relating to tax administration. Part 2 deals with powers of the director general, liabilities of a director, responsibilities as a payer/acquirer, statutory time bar, advance/private rulings, and tax audits and investigations.

This two-part podcast is relevant to candidates preparing for the P6 (MYS), Advanced Taxation exam, and is based on the prevailing laws as at 31 March 2017. It collates and discusses the provisions in the Income Tax Act 1967 and the Real Property Gains Tax Act 1976 relating to tax administration. Part 1 deals with responsibilities as a taxpayer, responsibilities as an employer, and rights of a taxpayer.

The idea behind business rescue proceedings is to restore a company to a profitable entity or, if that is not possible, to secure a better return for the creditors, and to avoid liquidation. This podcast considers the meaning of business rescue and provides some recent interesting cases on business rescue proceedings.

The completion stage of the audit is when the auditor reviews the work performed and considers the implications for the auditor’s report. A crucial part of this review is the evaluation of misstatements found during the audit. This podcast discusses the requirements of ISA 450, Evaluation of Misstatements Identified during the Audit, and provides some examples of the application of the ISA in the context of the Advanced Audit and Assurance exam.

In order to meet the objective of financial reporting, information provided by a particular measurement basis must be useful to users of financial statements. A measurement basis achieves this if the information is relevant and faithfully represents what it essentially is supposed to represent. In addition, the measurement basis needs to provide information that is comparable, verifiable, timely and understandable.

Clive Webb, Senior Professional Insights Manager, ACCA, gives an overview of ACCA’s latest report examining the opportunities technology presents finance. "The Race for Relevance" identifies the key steps required for an implementation programme and throws a spotlight on six key technologies: cloud, cyber, social media, analytics, robotic process automation (RPA) and artificial intelligence (AI).

The aim of P6 (UK) is to ensure that candidates can provide individuals and businesses with the information and advice they require regarding the impact that the major UK taxes may have on their financial decisions and situations. P6 (UK) is directly underpinned by F6 (UK). Knowledge and understanding of the technical content of F6 (UK) is, therefore, vital if candidates are to be successful at P6 (UK).