AF4D123 - Strategic Business Reporting (ACCA) 01 Sep 2020 - 31 Aug 2026 | Version 3
Associated Module Information
| Module Code: | AF4D123 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Module Title: | Strategic Business Reporting (ACCA) | ||
| Faculty: | Faculty of Business and Creative Industries | ||
| Faculty Group: | Accounting and Finance | ||
| Faculty Sub Group: | Accounting and Finance | ||
| Module Leader: | Jared Davies | ||
| Module Team: | Geraint Evans, Rosemary Eaton, Nicola Gilbert, Joanna Howell | ||
| First Intended Intake: | SEP 2018 | Final Year of Intake: | 2023 |
| Date Closed: | |||
| Credit Value: | 40 | Credit Level: | 7 |
| Language: | English | ||
| Percentage of Module Taught in Welsh: | 0 | ||
| Equivalent Module: | |||
| HECOS codes: | 100105 - accounting | ||
| HECOS Code Weighting: | 100 | ||
Document Version Information
| Version | 3 |
|---|---|
| Valid From | 01 Sep 2020 |
| Valid To | 31 Aug 2026 |
Module Aims
Please note that aims, learning outcomes and content have been taken directly from ACCA’s Sept 2020 - June 2021 SBR Syllabus & Study Guide document. Latest versions of all ACCA Syllabus & Study Guide documents can be found at:
https://www.accaglobal.com/ca/en/student/exam-support-resources.html
This module is one of 2 core Essentials modules from the Strategic Professional Level of the ACCA Qualification (the other being Strategic Business Leader).
This module is only available by external examination.
The Strategic Business Reporting module builds upon the skills and knowledge examined in the Financial Reporting exam at the Applied Skills Level, including the core technical capabilities to prepare and analyse financial reports for single and combined entities.
The Strategic Business Reporting module aims to prepare students to critically discuss, apply and evaluate the concepts, principles and practices that underpin the preparation and interpretation of corporate reports in various contexts including the ethical assessment of managements’ stewardship and the information needs of a diverse group of stakeholders.
The syllabus is assessed by a three-hour fifteen minute examination. It examines professional competences within the business reporting environment.
Students will be examined on concepts, theories, and principles, and on their ability to question and comment on proposed accounting treatments.
Students should be capable of relating professional issues to relevant concepts and practical situations. The evaluation of alternative accounting practices and the identification and prioritisation of issues will be a key element of the exam.
Professional and ethical judgement will need to be exercised, together with the integration of technical knowledge when addressing business reporting issues in a business context.
Students will be required to adopt either a stakeholder or an external focus in answering questions and to demonstrate personal skills such as problem solving, dealing with information and decision making. Students will also have to demonstrate communication skills appropriate to the scenario.
The exam also deals with specific professional knowledge appropriate to the preparation and presentation of consolidated and other financial statements from accounting data, to conform with accounting standards.
Content Summary
The syllabus requires students to examine corporate reporting from a number of perspectives, not only from the point of view of the preparer of corporate reports, but also from the perspective of a variety of different stakeholders such as finance providers.
The syllabus further requires the assessment and evaluation of the reporting decisions made by management and their implications for a range of stakeholders and entities. It also explores the professional and ethical responsibilities of the accountant to these stakeholders.
The subject matter of the syllabus requires students to have a cohesive understanding of the IASB’s Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting® and to use the Framework as a basis for judgement in applying International Financial Reporting Standards in corporate reports. The syllabus considers both the principles and practices of IFRS® Standards and uses these principle as a basis for the preparation of the financial statements of single entities and groups.
The syllabus requires students to reflect on the usefulness of corporate reports to stakeholders including developments in narrative reporting such as Integrated Reporting and to discuss the nature of the information that would help stakeholders assess the future prospects of the entity. This involves the analysis and interpretation of corporate reports, and the provision of advice on the reporting implications of transactions.
The final section of the syllabus addresses current developments in corporate reporting and the implications of any potential changes. This includes a discussion of the deficiencies of existing accounting standards and the ability to explain the implications for a business and its stakeholders of significant changes to reporting frameworks. Question scenarios will be based in contemporary business settings, however, candidates will not be required to have detailed knowledge of these businesses.
Learning and Teaching Methods
| Activity Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Practical classes and workshops | 60 |
| Independent Study | 150 |
| Directed Study | 180 |
| Formative Assessment - Scheduled | 10 |
| Total Hours Selected | 400 |
Learning Outcomes
| # | Learning Outcome |
|---|---|
| LO1 | Apply fundamental ethical and professional principles to ethical dilemmas and discuss the consequences of unethical behaviour. |
| LO2 | Evaluate the appropriateness of the financial reporting framework and critically discuss changes in accounting regulation. |
| LO3 | Apply professional judgement in the reporting of the financial performance of a range of entities (this can apply to: single entities, groups, public sector entities and not-for profit entities). |
| LO4 | Prepare the financial statements of groups of entities. |
| LO5 | Interpret financial statements for different stakeholders. |
| LO6 | Communicate the impact of changes and potential changes in accounting regulation on financial reporting. |
Module Requisites
| Code | Title | Requisite Type |
|---|---|---|
| MOD011439 | Financial Reporting | pre-requisite |
Assessment Criteria
| Assessment Category | Assessment Type | Description | Duration | Word Count | Weight (%) | Best of? | Pass Mark |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Synchronous Onsite Assessment (Exam) | Onsite Closed Book Examination 1 | Scenario-based exam | 195 | N/A | 100 | No | 50 |
Assessment Matrix
| Assessment Type | Learning Outcomes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LO1 | LO2 | LO3 | LO4 | LO5 | LO6 | |
| Onsite Closed Book Examination 1 | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |