RESOURCES

all you need to know

From new exam entry processes and dates, to exam timetables for December 2011, the following pages contain ACCA exam-related information

32 staying connected
ACCA Connect goes 24/7

33 exam timetable

ACCA Qualification and Foundations in Accountancy December 2011 exam dates

36 important changes to exam entry dates

New processes and dates

34 supervisor announcements

37 faqs: per return

We answer your questions

Announcements made before 38 oxford brookes the start of each exam session university bsc (hons) RAP submission moves 35 exam regulations online The latest exam rules for all students taking exams 39 exam exemptions

approved learning partners

Search for a tuition provider using ACCAs Tuition Provider Directory at www2.accaglobal.com/ students/study/search

32

ResoURCes

acca connEct

FEES

students@ accaglobal.com +44 (0)141 582 2000

Annual subscription 2012 Please note that, as a student, you are required to pay an annual subscription for each year you are registered with ACCA. This is a separate fee to your initial registration fee. Your annual subscription is due on 1 January irrespective of the month you registered. For example, if you registered in December, you will still be required to pay an annual subscription by 1 January. The payment enables ACCA to provide you with services and support to assist you with your studies and training as you work towards gaining your qualification. Students who fail to pay fees when due (including exam/exemption fees) will have their names removed from the ACCA register. Students wishing to re-register are required to submit any amounts unpaid at the time of their removal in addition to the re-registration fee. No penalty fee will be charged. Confirmation of your unpaid fees can be obtained from your national ACCA office or ACCA Connect. The following fees and subscriptions apply from 1 January 2012: ACCA Qualification students Initial registration Re-registration Annual subscription *plus unpaid fee(s) Foundations in Accountancy students Initial registration Subscription 77 *77 77

ACCA ConneCt stAying ConneCted At ACCA we continuously work hard to improve the service and support we offer you, our customers. Our aim is to make it easier for you to do business with us and improve your customer experience.

This is why at ACCA we are pleased to announce that our dedicated contact centre, ACCA Connect, will now be providing a 24 hour a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year global support, at times which are convenient for you. You can contact ACCA Connect by phone or email, and a dedicated member of the ACCA Connect team will be on hand to answer your queries at any time of the year. Judith Bennett, ACCA director of service delivery, says: I am proud to say that ACCA is the first professional accountancy body to provide this round-the-clock service. We have taken another step towards providing best-in-class customer service. Contact details Telephone: +44 (0)141 582 2000 Email: students@accaglobal.com

77 77

Dont forget to pay your fees on time. Dates by which fees and subscriptions must be paid, and arrangements for how payment must be made, are included in your ACCA welcome pack.

stUdent ACCoUntAnt issue 24/2011

Are your contact details up to date? https://www.acca-business.org

33

EXaM tIMEtaBLE

Wednesday 7 december FA2 Maintaining Financial Records F7 Financial Reporting

2011 december T F S M T W S 2 3 29 30 1 27 28 10 6 7 8 9 5 4 17 3 14 15 16 11 12 1 2 23 24 19 20 21 2 18 30 31 6 27 28 29 25 2
The following dates have been confirmed for the next exam session for ACCA Qualification and Foundations in Accountancy papers: deCeMBeR 2011 Week 1 5 to 9 December Week 2 12 to 14 December Exams will take place over an eight-day period with one session of exams each day. The exams will be held concurrently in five different time zones. The base starting times in each of these time zones will be: Zone 1 (Caribbean) 08.00 Zone 2 (UK) 10.00 Zone 3 (Pakistan and South Asia) 14.00 Zone 4 (Asia Pacific) 15.00 Zone 5 (Australasia) 17.00. Local starting times will be set falling out from these base start times for every centre. Details of local start times can be found against each centre on the Examination Centre List accompanying your Examination Entry Form. Papers F1 to F3 are two-hour exams, and Papers F4 to F9 and P1 to P7 are three-hour exams. Monday 5 december FTX Foundations in Taxation F5 Performance Management P7 Advanced Audit and Assurance tuesday 6 december MA2 Managing Costs and Finance FFM Foundations in Financial Management F6 Taxation P4 Advanced Financial Management

thursday 8 december MA1 Management Information F8 Audit and Assurance P5 Advanced Performance Management Friday 9 december FAB Accountant in Business F1 Accountant in Business F9 Financial Management P6 Advanced Taxation Monday 12 december FAU Foundations in Audit F4 Corporate and Business Law P3 Business Analysis tuesday 13 december FFA Financial Accounting F3 Financial Accounting P2 Corporate Reporting Wednesday 14 december FA1 Recording Financial Transactions FMA Management Accounting F2 Management Accounting P1 Governance, Risk and Ethics

detAiLs oF LoCAL stARt tiMes CAn Be FoUnd AgAinst eACH CentRe on tHe eXAMinAtion CentRe List ACCoMPAnying yoUR eXAMinAtion entRy FoRM.

34

ResoURCes

SupErvISorS announcEMEntS
At the start of each exam, the supervisor will make the following announcement. BeFoRe tHe eXAM Begins 1 The exam will be conducted in accordance with the regulations and guidelines outlined in your attendance docket. 2 Please check that you are sitting at the correct desk and that you have been given the correct exam paper with the appropriate tax/ law variant. If you are in any doubt please contact an invigilator before the exam begins. 3 Do not open your question paper until you are told to do so. 4 Your answer booklet will be electronically marked. You must therefore ensure that you read the instructions on the front cover carefully and complete the details as required using the information from your attendance docket. Please do this now, as the supervisor cannot allow any time at the end of the session. 5 To complete the details, you must write the relevant information in the spaces provided. Once you have done this, you must then shade the relevant circle in the column below each number or letter using a black pen. Only one number or letter must be selected from each column. 6 Please remove all items, other than those listed on your attendance docket, from your desk now. Candidates found in possession of unauthorised materials are in breach of the exam regulations and their conduct will be reported to ACCA. If you attempt to gain an unfair advantage in the examination, you are likely to be removed from ACCAs student register following disciplinary proceedings. You are not permitted to take mobile phones or pagers to your desk under any circumstances. If you choose to leave such items in your bag they must be switched off. You are not permitted to use a calculator, personal organiser or language translator with the facility to store or display text. Please check now that you do not have such an item on your desk. Please note that you may not leave the hall permanently until the conclusion of the exam. If you need to leave your desk for any reason, you will be escorted by an invigilator. Invigilators will collect your attendance docket during the exam. Please place it on your desk ready for this validation process. Candidates sitting exams with multiple-choice questions must record their answers on page two of their answer booklet. You must complete the answer grid on this page as this is the only information processed for marking. Answers indicated on any other pages of the answer booklet or the question paper will not be marked.

10

11

CAndidAtes FoUnd in Possession oF UnAUtHoRised MAteRiALs ARe in BReACH oF tHe eXAMinAtion RULes.

12 Candidates attempting three-hour papers will be given 15 minutes reading time at the beginning of the exam. You must not open or write on your answer booklet until you are told to do so at the end of the 15 minutes. However, you are permitted to write on your question paper. 13 You will be told when there is one hour remaining and when there are 15 minutes left until the exam ends. 14 You must submit your answer booklet at the end of the exam. 15 You cannot keep your question paper and these will be collected at the end of the session. Your answer booklet will not be marked unless your question paper has been collected. 16 Candidates attempting two-hour papers are requested to leave the room quietly at the end of their exam as there will still be exams in progress. 17 If there is a problem during the exam, you will be escorted to the nearest emergency exit.

stUdent ACCoUntAnt issue 24/2011

35

EXaM rEguLatIonS
Taking your ACCA exams is part of your journey towards becoming an ACCA professional accountant and you are expected to act in a professional manner when taking your exams. The following rules on conduct apply to students completing projects or sitting paper-based and computer-based exams, as well as those taking internally-assessed ACCA courses. 1 You are required to comply in all respects with any instructions issued by the registrar, exam supervisor and invigilators before and during an exam. 2 You may not attempt to deceive the registrar or the exam supervisor by giving false or misleading information. 3 If you are given reading time at the beginning of the exam, you are not allowed to open or write on your answer booklet until the supervisor tells you to do so at the end of the reading time. You are, however, permitted to write on your question paper. 4 If you are given reading time at the beginning of the exam, the exam is considered to be in progress from the start of the reading time. 5 You are not allowed to take to your exam desk any books, notes or other materials except those authorised by the registrar. These are known as unauthorised materials. 6 You are not allowed to possess any unauthorised materials while the exam is in progress (whether at your desk or otherwise). 7 You are not allowed to use, or attempt to use, or intend to use, any unauthorised materials while the exam is in progress. 8 If you breach exam regulation 5, 6

tHese RULes ARe RePRodUCed on yoUR eXAMinAtion AttendAnCe doCket yoU sHoULd tAke tiMe to FAMiLiARise yoURseLF WitH tHeM. in oRdeR to Be eLigiBLe to sit yoUR eXAMs yoU MUst sign yoUR doCket ConFiRMing yoUR AgReeMent to CoMPLy WitH tHese RULes.
or 7, and the unauthorised materials are relevant to the syllabus being examined, it will be assumed that you intended to use them to gain an unfair advantage in the exam. In any subsequent disciplinary proceedings, you will have to prove that you did not intend to use the unauthorised materials to gain an unfair advantage in the exam. You may not assist, attempt to assist, obtain or attempt to obtain assistance by improper means from any other person during your exams. You are required to adhere at all times to the Instructions to Candidates, which you receive with your Examination Attendance Docket. You are required to comply with the exam supervisors ruling. Supervisors are obliged to report any cases of irregularity or improper conduct to the registrar. The supervisor is empowered to discontinue your exam if you are suspected of misconduct and to exclude you from the exam hall. You may not engage in any other unprofessional conduct designed to assist you in your exam attempt. You are not permitted to remove either your script booklet or your question paper from the exam hall. All exam scripts remain the property of ACCA. 14 Once the exam has started, you are not allowed to leave the exam hall permanently until the end of the session and then only when instructed by the supervisor. 15 If you attempt to gain an unfair advantage in the exam (whether by breaching an exam regulation or otherwise) you are likely to be removed from ACCAs student register following disciplinary proceedings. These regulations are reproduced on your Examination Attendance Docket you should take time to familiarise yourself with them. In order to be eligible to sit your exams you must sign your docket confirming your agreement to comply with these regulations.

10

11

12 13

36

ResoURCes

EXaM Entry: IMportant InForMatIon

The exam entry process has changed. You can now: submit an exam entry at any time of the year enter for exams early and save money enter for one of the next two exam sessions December or June make amendments to existing exam entries including changing exam centre, variant papers or entering for other exams. ALL oF tHese neW BeneFits ARe eXCLUsiVeLy AVAiLABLe FoR eXAM entRies MAde onLine We are also making changes to the standard exam entry closing date for online and paper exam entries and we are keeping the online late exam entry period for those last minute exam entry emergencies. keePing yoU inFoRMed The quickest way for us to send you important information such as changes to exam entry and exam results is by e-communication (such as email and SMS) but we need you to give us your permission its the law. To update your details to ensure we use your preferred method of communication, please visit our website at www2.accaglobal.com/ consent for further information.

UPdAte yoUR detAiLs to ensURe We Use yoUR PReFeRRed MetHod oF CoMMUniCAtion At WWW2.ACCAgLoBAL. CoM/Consent

closing dates to remember for june 2012 exam entry 8 March 2012 8 April 2012 8 May 2012 early exam entry (online only) standard exam entry (online and paper) Late exam entry (online only)

stUdent ACCoUntAnt issue 24/2011

Find out about practical experience requirements www2.accaglobal.com/students/acca/per

37

Faqs: pEr rEturn

We answer your frequently asked questions about the PER return a key part of gaining the ACCA Qualification. As part of the PER process, every trainee is required to submit a PER return each year, stating what practical experience they have obtained, if any, in the last 12 months. The purpose of the PER return is to help you and ACCA track your practical experience and your progress towards gaining ACCA membership. It also allows ACCA to assist you by developing products and services to help support your training and development. Even if you are not currently working in a relevant role or if you are a full-time student, you must make a PER return. HoW do i MAke A PeR RetURn? You should complete your PER return online through the TDM, which can be accessed through myACCA. There are various sections you need to complete depending on your working status but the whole process will only take you a few minutes. The PER return allows you to: view or confirm the performance objectives that have been signed off to date by your workplace mentor(s) confirm the time (in months) that you have been in a relevant role since your last PER return confirm that the information you have given is true by signing a declaration and agreeing that you are committed to your development and to ACCAs Code of Ethics. WHen do i HAVe to do My PeR RetURn By? The closing date to make your PER return is 1 January each year. But this

eVeRy tRAinee is ReqUiRed to sUBMit A PeR RetURn eACH yeAR, stAting WHAt PRACtiCAL eXPeRienCe tHey HAVe oBtAined in tHe LAst 12 MontHs.
does not mean that you have to wait until December to make your return; you can complete your PER return online at any time during the year. For example, if you know that you will be studying full-time for the rest of the year and will not be in a relevant working role, you can make your PER return now, stating that you have no relevant work experience to record at this time. i AM not WoRking. do i stiLL need to MAke A PeR RetURn? Yes. All trainees are required to complete a PER return, including those studying on a full-time basis, those working in a non-relevant role and those not working for other reasons such as ill health. i HAVe ALReAdy MAde My PeR RetURn FoR tHis yeAR BUt HAVe MoRe eXPeRienCe to deCLARe WHAt do i do? If you need to, you can make more than one PER return in a year. However, please be aware that your most recent entry will overwrite what you declared previously, so make sure your latest entry includes any previous information entered. You can record as little as one months experience when you make your PER return if it is relevant it will all add up to the 36 months required. PeR AUdit ACCA reviews trainees workplace achievement. Non-completion of the PER reporting requirement, lack of recording and continued non-achievement of performance objectives (where you are in a relevant role) will be among the factors taken into account when selecting trainee records for review. Trainees online TDM or paper-based records will be subject to the same levels of PER audit.

PER

38

ResoURCes

oXForD BrooKES BSc (HonS)

Students completing certain papers of the ACCA Qualification are eligible to apply for a BSc (Hons) in Applied Accounting from Oxford Brookes University. The degree must be completed within 10 years of your initial registration on to ACCAs professional qualification; otherwise, your eligibility will be withdrawn. Check your eligibility status at www2.accaglobal.com/students/ bsc/. The dates below outline the forthcoming deadlines for completing the qualifying exams and the last opportunity to submit your Research and Analysis Project (RAP): First session (1) Final session for completing the qualifying exams (2) December 2001 June 2011 June 2002 December 2011 Final date for submission of RAP November 2011 May 2012 RAP sUBMission MoVing onLine From November 2011 (Period 23), Research and Analysis Project submissions and re-submissions including payment for Period 23 (November 2011) should all be made online. A link with instructions of how to submit and pay online will be made available from 1 November to 21 November; all submissions have to be completed within this period. Students should no longer send hard copies to the ACCA office at Oxford Brookes University as these will not be accepted. The cost of submission for Period 23 is 115. Students will be required to upload their Research and Analysis Project files which can be in all major file formats including Microsoft Word and PowerPoint. Students should upload separate files for their Research Report, Skills and Learning Statement, Appendices and List of References; these will all then be submitted along with their payment. Any queries relating to online submission should be sent to Oxford Brookes University on acca@brookes.ac.uk tHe PRoFessionAL etHiCs ModULe And sUBMitting A ReseARCH And AnALysis PRojeCt In order to qualify for the BSc (Hons) in Applied Accounting degree, all students must firstly complete the nine Fundamental exams as well as the online Professional Ethics module. This module is compulsory for anyone submitting a project to Oxford Brookes even though you may not have to complete it as part of your ACCA studies if you registered before 2007. The Professional Ethics module is accessed via your myACCA page, but you will only be given access to the module once you are eligible to sit Paper P1. The module does not need to be completed in one go, and you may therefore find yourself re-visiting the module as it takes approximately two to three hours in total to complete. Once you have fully completed it, you are required to write a completion statement, and a certificate will subsequently be sent to you. By completing this module, you will be gaining a better understanding of ethical issues in accounting, and it will also give you a chance to reflect on your own behaviours. If you are not able to access the Professional Ethics module via myACCA, alternative arrangements can be made by contacting ACCA Connect at students@accaglobal.com If you are planning to submit a Research and Analysis Project to Oxford Brookes University in Period 23 (running from 121 November 2011), you must ensure you complete the Professional Ethics module by 15 October, or you will be unable to submit a project in this session. If you have any queries relating to submitting a project to Oxford Brookes, please email acca@brookes.ac.uk

notes 1 First applicable exam session as confirmed at the time of your initial registration with ACCA. 2 Completion of Fundamentals level exams. Professional ethics module Students wishing to submit their Research and Analysis Project (RAP) must complete the Professional Ethics module. For more information visit www2.accaglobal.com/ students/bsc/

stUdent ACCoUntAnt issue 24/2011

39

EXaM EXEMptIonS
If you already have some qualifications you may not have to take all of the exams in the ACCA Qualification or Foundations in Accountancy awards. These are called exemptions and mean that you will start your studies at the right level for your knowledge and skill. sHoULd i CLAiM My eXeMPtions? By claiming exemptions you can avoid studying the same topics that you have studied previously. This is a good idea if you have studied for a related qualification recently. However, if you are thinking of claiming exemptions based on qualifications you gained a number of years ago, or if you have been working in a field other than accountancy for some time, it may make more sense to take the exam. Studying for the exam will allow you to refresh your knowledge of the topic and will ensure you are sufficiently prepared for the Professional level papers, which go into topics in greater depth. If you are not sure whether to apply for an exemption, why not have a look through our past exam papers? You can access past papers on the ACCA website. If you are not confident you could pass the exam right now, consider studying for the paper. HoW to CLAiM eXeMPtions Follow our short guide How to check your exemptions (download here) to find out how to check which exemptions you may be eligible to claim and if you could be entitled to claim any exemptions online. Please note: You must send official proof of any qualifications you already have or are studying for along with your registration form so that we can assess if you are eligible for exemptions. Please submit copies of academic transcripts or award certificates as evidence. Online printouts of academic transcripts are not acceptable for the purposes of claiming exemptions. Only copies of official documentation, signed and stamped by the awarding body, can be accepted. Any documents not in English must be officially translated before they are sent to ACCA. You will need to pay an exemption fee for each exemption you are awarded. Exemption fees are charged at the early exam entry rate. ACCA can only award exemptions for qualifications from recognised institutions (those recognised by the local Ministry of Education). If your institution is not listed on the exemption enquiry database, then please ask employees at or representatives of your institution to send copies of their documents to ACCA Connect for review. If ACCA has not been given the opportunity to fully assess a qualification by an awarding body, then that qualification may not be accredited. In this case, fewer exemptions may be available. Unfortunately ACCA does not consider applications from students for further exemptions in these circumstances.

SELF-cHEcK MoDuLES
Are you part way through your studies but struggling to pass your exams? Be honest with yourself could your English and/or maths skills be a reason? Why not complete ACCAs self-check modules to get a realistic assessment of your proficiency in English and maths? If youre struggling, there are some suggested interventions to help you improve. ACCAs self-check modules in English and maths are optional to complete, free of charge and anonymous, so any results wont be recorded on your student record and only you will know the results and feedback. It could help give you the confidence and reassurance you need to feel ready to tackle your exams at the next exam session. And if your English and maths skills could do with

some improvement, dont worry. There are e-learning modules that are free of charge which you can opt to complete to help improve your maths skills as well as links to learning materials offered by other providers to help you improve your English skills. So what are you waiting for? You have nothing to lose and everything to gain and you may just amaze yourself at how well you perform. Visit ACCAs Virtual Learning Centre (http://studentvirtuallearn. accaglobal.com/) to access the English and maths self-check modules.

40

PART-TIME ACCA STUDY

THAT WORKS AROUND YOU

+ FULL SYLLABUS AVAILABLE IN HD RECORDED LECTURES + 24HR ONLINE SUPPORT AND

STUDY RESOURCES

WEEKEND, EVENING AND LIVE ONLINE CLASSES

FREE iPad 2*
Enjoy ultimate flexibility with our award-winning interactive platform.

Offer available until 6th January 2012

PLACES ARE LIMITED, register now!

NEXT INTAKE: 20th February 2012

LONDON +44 (0) 207 823 2303 TORONTO +1 416 800 2204 BIRMINGHAM +44 (0) 121 616 3370 SINGAPORE +65 6580 7700 MANCHESTER +44 (0) 161 713 1777 INTERACTIVE +44 (0) 207 099 0077

Visit us at

www.LSBF.org.uk/SA

CPE Registration No: 201008079C, Period: 07 March 2011 - 06 March 2012 *Terms and conditions apply, while stocks last, call for details. iPad 2 is a trademark of Apple Inc, registered in the U.S. and other countries. E&OE. London and Birmingham campuses. See website for details.

PART-TIME

ONLINE

FULL-TIME

>> NAVIGATE TO YOUR CAREER SUCCESS