In line with the normal cut-off for examinable legislation, the latest Finance Act which will be examined in FTX (UK), F6 (UK) and P6 (UK) in examinations falling within the year 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2018 is the Finance Act 2016. 

Given the unexpected General Election in June 2017, in order to provide certainty to learning providers and students, the latest Finance Act which will be examined in FTX (UK), F6 (UK) and P6 (UK) in examinations falling within the year 1 April 2018 to 31 March 2019 is the Finance Act 2017 which received Royal Assent on 27 April 2017.  Finance (No. 2) Act 2017 and any further Finance Acts 2017 will not be examinable in examinations falling within this exam year, regardless of when they receive Royal Assent. 

After the General Election in 2015, Finance (No. 2) Act 2015 did not receive Royal Assent until 18 November 2015.  Given the delay and the time between the election and the Finance Act receiving Royal Assent, ACCA have taken the decision now on what will be examined, to provide certainty regardless of the outcome of the General Election.    

With regard to prospective legislation where, for example, provisions included in the Finance Acts will only take effect at some date in the future, such legislation will not normally be examined until such time as it actually takes effect. The same rule applies to the effective date of the provisions of an Act introduced by statutory instrument.