This article explains the planned updates to the ACCA Qualification syllabuses taking place as part of the process of continuous syllabus refreshment and improvement. The article highlights structural changes to exams, including the latest syllabus changes.
Introduction
We have already announced the syllabus and structure changes which took place in February 2014, relating to the Foundations level syllabuses, including the Papers F1–F3 specimen exams (please see 'Related links').
There are a number of other syllabus changes to the ACCA Qualification in 2014. Apart from the two tax papers (Papers F6 and P6) where syllabus changes relating to the new tax year for these exams will take effect from June 2014, these are all planned for December 2014. There are no changes to the remaining Skills Module exams of the Fundamentals Level or to the Professional level exams in June 2014.
For information about changes relating to content in each exam, please access the specific syllabus and study guide links within each paper area on the website.
With regard to the ACCA Qualification Skills module (Papers F4, F5, F7, F8 and F9) there are some significant structural changes and some less significant syllabus updates from December 2014 to announce. These latest changes are being introduced to ensure that the ACCA Qualification continues to comply with the appropriate regulatory standards, to improve the articulation between related syllabuses and to reflect the views of our key stakeholders. This will be described in the relevant Paper F4–F9 syllabus changes (see detailed changes below). Structural changes to Paper F6 will be implemented six months later in June 2015*.
At the Professional level there are no structural changes to the exams planned for December 2014, but there have been some significant syllabus additions to key papers to reflect latest developments and to re-focus some key areas. Therefore, the content of the ACCA syllabuses at all levels is being continually refreshed and updated to adapt to the latest business and accounting sector needs. Because it falls in line with the tax year, Paper P6, Advanced Taxation* will be updated as usual in June 2015.
*Malaysia and Czech Republic tax exams continue to be updated annually in December. Structural changes to Paper F6 (MYS) and (CZE) will arise in December 2015.
In all cases, please refer to the relevant study guides at the appropriate time for full details of structural changes for the papers you are particularly interested in. The summary of syllabus updates and changes for each exam is also included at the back of each study guide.
All the detailed changes to the syllabuses are summarised below.
Detailed changes outlined for June and December 2014 – Skills module exams
The following section summarises the structural and syllabus changes for the Skills module exams at the ACCA Fundamentals level.
Paper F4, Corporate and Business Law (ENG) and (GLO)
The Paper F4 exam will undergo significant changes in the coming year, with a new format for the written papers, for both English and Global and all variant papers, applicable from December 2014 and the introduction of computer-based exams for both English and Global only from 19 November 2014.
The new structure, applicable from December 2014, can be accessed via the Syllabus and Study Guide in the Qualifications Resources section of the ACCA website.
Take the time to familiarise yourself with the relevant structure and question types for the exam you will be sitting, but the new structure is described below.
New structure
The syllabus is assessed by a two-hour paper-based exam.
The exam consists of:
| Section A | (%) |
| 25 x 2 mark objective test question | 50 |
| 20 x 1 mark objective questions | 20 |
| Section B | |
| 5 x 6 mark multi-task questions | 30 |
| 100 |
Syllabus changes
The main areas that have been amended in the syllabus are shown in Table 1 below:
Table 1 – Amendments to Paper F4 (ENG)
| Section and subject area | Syllabus content |
|---|---|
| A2(d) Human rights | The concept and impact of human rights (whole of A3 removed and merged into just one outcome so less emphasis on human rights) |
The main areas that have been deleted in the syllabus are shown in Table 2 below:
Table 2 – Deletions to Paper F4 (ENG)
Section and subject area | Syllabus content |
|---|---|
| A1(b) Court structure | The structure and operation of the tribunal systems |
| A3(a) Human rights | The concept of human rights as expressed in the Human Rights Act 1998 |
H1(a) Corporate governance | The idea of corporate governance |
H1(b) Corporate governance | The extra-legal codes of corporate governance |
| H1(c) Corporate governance | The legal regulation of corporate governance |
Paper F5, Performance Management
From December 2014 the Paper F5 exam is being re-structured as follows:
New structure
The syllabus is assessed by a three-hour paper-based exam.
All questions are compulsory. It will contain both computational and discursive elements.
Some questions will adopt a scenario/case study approach.
The exam structure consists of:
| Section A | (%) |
| 20 x 2 mark objective test question | 40 |
| Section B | |
| 3 x 10 marks | 30 |
| 2 x 15 marks | 30 |
| 100 |
The two 15-mark questions will come from decision making techniques, budgeting and control and/or performance measurement and control areas of the syllabus. The section A questions and the other questions in section B can cover any areas of the syllabus.
Syllabus changes
There were no deletions but a few additions to clarify what was already assumed in the syllabus as detailed below in Table 3:
Table 3 – Additions to Paper F5
Section and subject area | Syllabus content |
|---|---|
A4 Throughput accounting | (a) Discuss and apply the theory of constraints |
| C3 Quantitative analysis in budgeting | (b) Estimate the learning rate and learning effect |
D8 Performance analysis and behaviour aspects | (a) Analyse and evaluate past performance using the results of variance analysis (b) Use variance analysis to assess how future performance of an organisation or business can be improved |
D4 Performance analysis in private sector organisations | (c) Analyse past performance and suggest ways for improving for improving financial and non-financial performance |
Note that budgeting and standard costing are now merged into one syllabus area – budgeting and control |
|
Paper F6, Taxation
Paper F6 (UK) is updated annually in June – in line with changes to the Finance Act or the equivalent statutory changes at the usual time for all variants. Paper F6 will continue to operate on the calendar year basis with the syllabus and study guide applying to June and December of each year for all but Malaysia and Czech variants. Because of the different update cycle applying to the tax papers the structural changes applying Paper F6 will be introduced in June 2015 and announced later in 2014. In Malaysia and Czech Republic, the structural changes will be six months later in December 2015.
The summary of changes in Paper F6 (UK) applicable from June 2014 is listed below:
Section and subject area | Syllabus content |
|---|---|
| B3(d) Income from self-employment | New part (d) on cash basis for small businesses (and remaining parts renumbered) |
| B3(i)(ii) Income from self-employment | Part (i)(ii) expanded to include the restriction that can apply on trading losses claimed against income |
B3 Income from self-employment – | Change of accounting date |
B3 Income from self-employment – | Loss relief following the incorporation of a business |
B5(f) The comprehensive computation of taxable income and income tax liability | New part (f) on the child benefit tax charge (and remaining part renumbered). |
C2 Taxable total profits – Excluded topics | Patent box |
C4 The effect of a group corporate structure for corporation tax purposes – Excluded topics | Overseas aspects of corporation tax Transfer pricing |
D4 Gains and losses on the disposal of shares and securities – Excluded topics | The exemption for employee shareholders |
D6 The use of exemptions and reliefs in deferring and minimising tax liabilities arising on the disposal of capital assets – Excluded topics | Incorporation relief
|
| H3 The procedures relating to compliance checks, appeals and disputes – Excluded topics | Information powers Pre-return compliance checks Detailed procedures on the carrying out and completion of a compliance check |
The main areas that have been deleted from the syllabus are shown in Table 5 below:
Table 5 – Deletions from Paper F6 (UK)
Section and subject area | Syllabus content |
|---|---|
B3(f) Change of accounting date | Parts (f) (ii) and (f) (iii) on conditions for a change and the computation of profits on a change deleted and part (f) (i) renumbered as (g) |
C4 The effect of a group corporate structure for corporation tax purposes | Parts (d), (f) and (g) on overseas aspects of corporation tax deleted and part (e) moved to section A3 |
D1 The residence and ordinary residence of an individual | Ordinary residence abolished, and residence covered at B1(a) |
The main areas that have been amended or clarified In the syllabus are shown in Table 6 below:
Table 6 – Amendments to Paper F6 (UK)
Section and subject area | Syllabus content |
|---|---|
| A3(d) Principal sources of revenue law and practice | Part (d) calculation of double tax relief moved from section C |
A4(a) Tax avoidance and tax evasion | Amended to clarify coverage of the General Anti-Abuse Rule (GAAR) |
B1 The scope of income tax –
| Residence amended to exclude split year treatment |
B3 Income from self-employment – Excluded topics | CO2 emission thresholds for capital allowances for motor cars prior to 1 April 2013 |
B3 Income from self-employment – Excluded topics | Apportionment re the annual investment allowance where period spans 1 January 2013 |
B5(b) The comprehensive | Amended to clarify personal allowances for people born before 6 April 1948 |
Paper F7, Financial Reporting
From December 2014 there will be no more adapted exams for Paper F7. All exams are based wholly on IFRS.
The Paper F7 exam is being re-structured as follows:
New structure
The syllabus is assessed by a three-hour paper-based exam.
The exam structure consists of:
| Section A | (%) |
| 20 x 2 mark multiple-choice test questions | |
| Section B | |
| 2 x 15 marks | 30 |
| 1 x 30 marks | 30 |
| Total | 100 |
All questions are compulsory. It will contain both computational and discursive elements.
Some questions will adopt a scenario/case study approach.
The 30-mark question will examine the preparation of financial statements for either a single entity or a group, and may include some interpretation of accounts. The section A question and the other questions in section B can cover any areas of the syllabus.
An individual question may often involve elements that relate to different subject areas of the syllabus. For example the preparation of an entity’s financial statements could include matters relating to several accounting standards.
Syllabus changes
The additions to Paper F7 are shown in Table 7 below:
Table 7 – Additions to Paper F7
B4(b) | Apply the requirements of relevant accounting standards for biological assets | The principles of IAS 41, Agriculture have been introduced to the Paper F7 syllabus |
Deletions to Paper F7 are shown in Table 8 below:
Table 8 – Deletions to Paper F7
| Ref in prior year study guide | ||
|---|---|---|
| A1(c) | Indicate the circumstances and required disclosures where a ‘true and fair’ override may apply | |
B2(a) | Describe the structure and objectives of the IFRS Foundation, the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB), the IFRS Advisory Council (IFRS AC) and the IFRS Interpretations Committee (IFRS IC). | |
B9(b)
| Record entries relating to income tax in the accounting records | |
E1(c) | Recognise how related party relationships have the potential to mislead users | This has been removed to clarify that no knowledge of disclosure of related parties is required. |
There have been changes to how certain outcomes are grouped into sections within the syllabus. These changes are outlined below:
- The conceptual and regulatory framework outcomes have been combined into one section. This section, A, also now includes the concepts relating to group accounting
- The outcomes relating to substance over form, revenue and construction contracts have been grouped together in subject area B10
- The outcome relating to government grants (previously grouped with the non-current assets outcomes) has been separately classified as subject area B11 to clarify that both revenue based and capital grants can be examined.
- Preparation of financial statements of both single entities and groups are now combined within section D.
Paper F8, Audit and Assurance
From December 2014 there will be no more adapted exams for F8. All exams are based wholly on ISAs and IFRS. From the same date, the Paper F8 exam is being re-structured as follows:
New structure
The syllabus is to be assessed by a three-hour paper-based exam. All questions are compulsory.
The exam structure consists of:
| Section A | (%) |
| 8 x 2 mark multiple-choice test questions | 16 |
| 4 x 1 mark multiple-choice questions | 4 |
| Section B | |
| 4 x 10 marks | 40 |
| 2 x 20 marks | 40 |
| Total | 100 |
Section A of the exam comprises 8 two mark questions and four one mark, multiple choice questions giving a total of 20 marks for that section.
Section B of the exam comprises four 10-mark questions and two longer 20 mark questions.
The 20-mark questions will examine one or more aspects of audit and assurance from planning and risk assessment to internal control or audit review and reporting.
Summary of changes
The main areas that have been changed in the syllabus are shown in the Table 9 below:
Table 9 – Amendments to Paper F8
Section and subject area | Syllabus content |
|---|---|
A1(e) Explain reporting as a means of communication to different stakeholders | Deleted |
A3(i) Compare the responsibilities of management and auditors for the design and operation of systems and controls | Deleted |
B2(a) Identify the overall objectives of the auditor and the need to conduct an audit in accordance with ISAs | Old C1(a) and (c) combined |
E2(g) Explain the auditor’s responsibilities and describe procedures to be applied in relation to opening balances and comparative information | Deleted |
E6(c) Discuss the extent to which auditors are able to rely on the work of internal audit | Combined with D6(b)
|
E7(b) Explain how the audit of not-for-profit organisations differs from the audit of for-profit organisations | Deleted |
Paper F9, Financial Management
From December 2014 the Paper F9 exam is being re-structured as follows:
New structure
The syllabus is assessed by a three-hour paper-based exam.
All questions are compulsory. It will contain both computational and discursive elements.
Some questions will adopt a scenario/case study approach.
The exam structure consists of:
| Section A | (%) |
| 20 x 2 mark objective test questions | 40 |
| Section B | |
| 3 x 10 marks | 30 |
| 2 x 15 marks | 30 |
| Total | 100 |
Section A of the exam comprises 20 multiple-choice questions of 2 marks each.
Section B of the exam comprises three 10 mark questions and two 15 mark questions.
The two 15 mark questions will come from working capital management, investment appraisal and business finance areas of the syllabus. The section A questions and the other questions in section B can cover any areas of the syllabus.
Syllabus changes
There are no changes to the syllabus except rearrangement of syllabus sections. The section on cost of capital is now part of business finance section.
Detailed changes outlined for June and December 2014 – Professional level exams
The following section summarises the syllabus changes for the ACCA Professional Level exams. Please note that there are no structural changes to any of these syllabuses for the period in question.
Paper P1, Governance, Risk and Ethics
Table 7 shows the main changes to the Paper P1 syllabus. The main significant changes are the introduction of a new section on public sector governance in Section A and some new outcomes on Integrated Reporting in Section E. Key changes relate to addition of public sector governance and to the addition of integrated reporting in the syllabus. The detailed changes are shown in Table 10 below:
Table 10: Summary of changes for Paper P1
Section and subject area | Syllabus content |
|---|---|
| A1(d) addition of new (iii) and (iv) | Explain, and apply in context of corporate governance, the key underpinning concepts of: (i) fairness |
A1(e) amended to add references to integrated reporting principles | Explain and assess the major areas of organisational life affected by issues in corporate governance. (i) duties of directors and functions of the board (including setting a responsible ‘tone’ from the top and being accountable for the performance and impacts of the organisation) |
New A9 subject area added on public sector governance | 9. Public sector governance (a) Describe, compare and contrast public sector, private sector, charitable status and non-governmental (NGO and quasi-NGOs) forms of organisation, including purposes, ownership and stakeholders (including lobby groups) (b) Describe, compare and contrast the different types of public sector organisations at subnational, national and supranational level (c) Assess and evaluate the strategic objectives and governance arrangements specific to public sector organisations as contrasted with private sector (d) Discuss and assess the nature of democratic control, political influence and policy implementation in public sector organisations including the contestable nature of public sector policy |
Section E title amended to specifically mention social responsibility and to reflect greater emphasis on integrated reporting principles in E7 of this section see below: | E. PROFESSIONAL VALUES, ETHICS AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY |
E2(d) added to cover strategic aspects of CSR | (d) Explain and evaluate the concepts of 'CSR strategy' and 'strategic CSR' |
| Heading of E7 changed to specifically refer to integrated reporting | 7. Integrated reporting and sustainability issues in the conduct of business |
E7(a) added to reflect integrated reporting aspects of sustainability | (a) Explain and assess the concept of integrated reporting and evaluate the issues concerning accounting for sustainability (including the alternative definitions of capital: (i) Financial |
E7(b) amended to refer to impacts of an organisation | (b) Describe and assess the social and environmental impacts that economic activity can have (in terms of social and environmental ‘footprints’ and environmental reporting)) |
Old E7(b) deleted | (b) Explain and assess the concept of sustainability and evaluate the issues concerning accounting for sustainability (including the contribution of ‘full cost’ accounting) |
New E7(c) amended to include reference to sustainability accounting | (c) Describe the main features of internal management systems for underpinning environmental and sustainability accounting such as EMAS and ISO 14000 |
New E7(d) amended to include specific reference to integrated reporting | (d) Explain and assess the typical content elements and guiding principles of an integrated report, and discuss the usefulness of this information to stakeholders |
New E7(e) amended to include reference to integrated reporting implications for audit | (e) Explain the nature of social and environmental audit and evaluate the contribution it can make to the assurance of integrated reports |
P2, Corporate Reporting (INT)
There have not been any additions to the Study Guide for the exam year commencing 1 September 2014. However there have been minor amendments to the wording of some of the study guide outcomes corresponding to changes within examinable documents. Table 11 shows these changes which updates Paper P2 to take into account integrated reporting developments.
Table 11 – Additions to Paper P2 (INT)
Section and subject area | Syllabus content |
|---|---|
A3(b) | Discuss the progress towards a framework for integrated reporting |
| H1(b) | Evaluate current reporting requirements in the area including the draft Integrated Reporting Framework |
| E1(a) | Apply knowledge from the syllabus to straightforward transactions and events arising in specialised, not-for-profit, and public sector entities. (The inclusion of IAS 41, Agriculture in the examinable documents for this paper means that this is a business sector that could now be examined under this outcome.) |
There have been two specific deletions from the Study Guide for the exam year commencing 1 September 2014. However there have also been changes made within the examinable documents, particularly in respect of exposure drafts that may be examined.
Table 12 below shows what is being deleted from Paper P2 (INT).
Table 12 – Deletions to Paper P2 (INT)
Section and subject area (in prior year study guide) | Syllabus content |
|---|---|
C11(a) | Outline the principal considerations in developing a set of accounting standards for SMEs |
C 11(c) | Discuss the reasons why the IFRS for SMEs does not address certain topics. |
Paper P2, Corporate Reporting (UK)
There have not been any additions to the study guide for the exam year commencing 1 September 2014. However, there have been minor amendments to the wording of some of the Study Guide outcomes corresponding to changes within examinable documents, including the specific reference to integrated reporting. In addition, the comparison between IFRS and UK GAAP will be based on the new UK GAAP as set out in FRSs 100-102.
These changes are shown in Table 13 below:
Table 13 – Additions to Paper P2 (UK)
Section and subject area | Syllabus content |
|---|---|
A3(b) | Discuss the progress towards a framework for integrated reporting |
| H1(b) | Evaluate current reporting requirements in the area including the draft Integrated Reporting Framework |
E1(a) | Apply knowledge from the syllabus to straightforward transactions and events arising in specialised, not-for-profit, and public sector entities. (The inclusion of IAS 41, Agriculture in the examinable documents for this paper means that this is a business sector that could now be examined under this outcome.) |
C11(d) | Discuss the key differences between the IFRS for SMEs and UK GAAP. |
There have been two specific deletions from the Study Guide for the exam year commencing 1 September 2014. There have also been changes made within the examinable documents, particularly in respect of exposure drafts that may be examined. In addition, the comparison between IFRS and UK GAAP will be based on the new UK GAAP as set out in FRSs 100–102, so the standard by standard comparisons that appeared in previous editions of this Study Guide are now combined in outcome C11(d) as detailed in the table above.
Table 14: Deletions to Paper P2 (UK)
Section and subject area (in prior year study guide) | Syllabus content |
|---|---|
| C11(a) | Outline the principal considerations in developing a set of accounting standards for SMEs |
C11(c) | Discuss the reasons why the IFRS for SMEs does not address certain topics |
Paper P3, Business Analysis
The changes to Paper P3 mainly involve references to integrated reporting elements as would impact on Paper P3 in Section A, such as terminology changes to refer to ‘future outlook’ and the role of integrated reporting in communicating strategy. Other changes involve introducing a greater range of organisation structures to reflect the modern way of organising business functions in Section C, such as shared services and ‘hollow’ or ‘boundaryless’ organisations. Another substantive change involves the updating the information technology section to include a new Section E1 to reflect the updated International Education Standard (IES) 2 on IT capabilities required in an accounting curriculum. These are summarised in Table 15 below.
Table 15 – Summary of changes to Paper P3
Section and subject area | Syllabus content |
|---|---|
Subject area A2 heading amended | Environmental issues affecting the strategic position of, and future outlook for, an organisation |
A2(b) amended to add ‘external’ | Highlight the external key drivers of change likely to affect the structure of a sector or market |
A5(f) deleted | Identify opportunities for managing the strategic capability of an organisation |
A6(h) added | Explain the role of integrated reporting in communicating strategy and strategic performance |
| B1(f) amended to delete and add models | Explain and apply the following portfolio models (the BCG growth/share matrix, the public sector portfolio matrix, the parenting matrix or Ashridge Portfolio Display) to assist corporate parents in managing their business portfolios |
B2(c) deleted | Explore how organisations can respond to hypercompetitive conditions |
C1(d) amended | Discuss how organisational structure and external relationships (boundary-less organisations; hollow, modular and virtual) and strategic alliances (joint ventures, networks, franchising, licensing) and the supporting concepts of outsourcing, offshoring and shared services, can be used to deliver a selected strategy |
C2(e) and (f) deleted | Specify organisational roles required to manage strategic change Discuss levers that can be employed to manage strategic change |
Section D heading amended and New D1 Subject area added
| D. BUSINESS AND PROCESS CHANGE 1.Business change (a) Explain that business change projects are initiated to address strategic alignment (b) Apply the stages of the business change lifecycle (alignment, definition, design, implementation and realisation) (c) Assess the value of the four view (POPIT – people, organisation, processes and information technology) model to the successful implementation of business change |
New E1 Subject area added | E. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY 1. Principles of information technology (b) Identify and analyse general information technology controls and application controls required for effective accounting information systems (c) Analyse the adequacy of general information technology controls and application controls for relevant application systems (d) Evaluate controls over the safeguarding of information technology assets to ensure the organisational ability to meet business objectives |
Paper P4, Advanced Financial Management
There are few changes to the syllabus to reflect the latest business and educational developments affecting this paper.
These are summarised in Table 16 below.
Table 16 – Additions to Paper P4
Section and subject area | Syllabus content |
|---|---|
New A5(b) added | (b) Assess and advise on the impact of investment and financing strategies and decisions on the organisations' stakeholders, from an integrated reporting and governance perspective |
There are no deletions to Paper P4.
Paper P5, Advanced Performance Management
There is only one change to the syllabus to reflect the latest business and educational developments affecting this paper, relating to integrated reporting. This is summarised in Table 17 below:
Table 17: Additions to Paper P5
Section and subject area | Syllabus content |
|---|---|
| New F2(d) added | Explore the role of the management accountant in providing key performance information for integrated reporting to stakeholders |
There are no deletions to Paper P5.
Paper P6, Advanced Taxation (UK)
Paper P6 (UK) is being updated from June 2014. A summary of the changes is listed in Table 18 below.
Table 18: Amendments to Paper P6 (UK)
Section and subject area | Amendment |
|---|---|
| Throughout | References to ‘stamp duty and stamp duty land tax’ changed to ‘stamp taxes’ |
| Throughout Areas excluded from Paper F6 that continue to be examinable at Paper P6 | A1(d)(i) Change of accounting date A1(d)(ii) The relief available for trading losses following the transfer of a business to a company A2(d)(v) Double taxation relief A2(e)(ix) Treatment of overseas branch A3(g)(iii) Incorporation relief |
Corporation tax | A2(c)(ii) Profits attributable to patents A2(e)(vi) Pre-entry gains removed from syllabus A2(f)(i) Disincorporation relief |
Inheritance tax excluded topics | Trusts created prior to 22 March 2006 |
Stamp taxes excluded topic | Residential property held by non-natural persons |
Paper P7, Advanced Audit and Assurance (INT)
The changes to Paper P7 are introduced to the syllabus to reflect the latest business and educational developments affecting this paper. The main changes include the introduction of outcomes relating to public sector audit and the audit of social, environmental and integrated reporting. These are all summarised in Table 19 below.
Table 19: Summary of changes to Paper P7 (INT)
Section and subject area | Syllabus content |
|---|---|
New D4(b) added to include component auditor’s responsibilities in a group situation | (b) Explain the responsibilities of the component auditor before accepting appointment, and the procedures to be performed in a group situation |
D3(e) Amended to add reference to integrated reporting | (e) Discuss the courses of action available to an auditor if an inconsistency or misstatement of fact exists in relation to other information such as contained in the integrated report
|
Heading E1 amended to include old E2 assurance services | 1. Audit-related and assurance services |
Old E2(c) Deleted | c) Recognise the ways in which different types of risk (eg strategic, operating, information) may be identified and analysed and assess how management should respond to risk |
New E6 subject area added on public sector audit | 6. The audit of performance information in public sector (a) Describe the audit of performance information and differentiate from performance auditing (b) Plan the audit of performance information, and describe examination procedures to be used in the audit of performance information (c) Discuss the existence, measurability and relevance of reported performance information (d) Discuss the form and content of a report on the audit of performance information (e) Discuss the content of an audit conclusion on an integrated report of performance against predetermined objectives |
Old G2 deleted | 2. Information technology (a) Describe recent trends in IT and their current and potential impact on auditors (eg the audit implications of ‘cyberincidents’ and other risks). |
Heading of G3 amended to refer to integrated reporting | 4. The audit of social, environmental and integrated reporting |
G3(a) Amended to add reference to integrated reporting | (a) Plan an engagement to provide assurance on integrated reporting (performance measures and sustainability indicators) |
G3(e) Amended to add reference to integrated reporting |
Paper P7, Advanced Audit and Assurance (UK)
Changes to the Paper P7 (UK) syllabus are included in Table 20 below:
Table 20: Summary of Changes to Paper P7 (UK)
Section and subject area | Syllabus content |
|---|---|
A1(b)(ii) Amended to cover the whole UK Corporate Governance Code | A1(b)(ii) Discuss the provision of the UK Corporate Governance Code and its impact on audit and assurance practise. |
New D2(b) added to include component auditor’s responsibilities in a group situation | (b) Explain the responsibilities of the component auditor before accepting appointment, and the procedures to be performed in a group situation |
D3(e) Amended to add reference to integrated reporting | (e) Discuss the courses of action available to an auditor if an inconsistency or misstatement of fact exists in relation to other information such as contained in the integrated report |
Heading E1 amended to include old E2 assurance services | 1. Audit-related and assurance services |
Old E2(c) deleted | (c) Recognise the ways in which different types of risk (eg strategic, operating, information) may be identified and analysed and assess how management should respond to risk |
Old G2 deleted | 2. Information technology (a) Describe recent trends in IT and their current and potential impact on auditors (eg the audit implications of ‘cyberincidents’ and other risks) |
Heading of G3 amended to refer to integrated reporting | 3. The audit of social, environmental and integrated reporting |
G3(a) Amended to add reference to integrated reporting | (a) Plan an engagement to provide assurance on integrated reporting (performance measures and sustainability indicators) |
G3(e) Amended to add reference to integrated reporting | (e) Discuss the form and content of an independent verification statement of an integrated report |
