P level TIPS For June 2009 byFTC

committee, possibly, question, element, always

P1 – Professional Accountant Section A: Compulsory ? always covers range of syllabus areas ? some element of ethics in this question Section B: 2 from 3 ? one question solely on governance ? one question with significant ethics element Key topics – in section A or B: ? internal audit: independence or appointment (possibly via audit committee) ? remuneration committee ? directors induction and / or appraisal ? ethical decisions: AAA or Tucker ? stakeholder categorisation ? normative / instrumental views of stakeholders ? board structure: family / insider or unitary / two tier ? Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) ? sound internal controls P2 INT – Corporate Reporting (International variant) Compulsory group question within part A could be: ? Cashflow (not examined under the new syllabus, but in the pilot paper) ? Group income statement which will examine aspects of IFRS 3 revised (goodwill and NCI at fair value) ? Accounting for changed shareholdings in group structure Within the compulsory question, there may also be some explanation and application of ethics and/or a written element which includes IFRS 3 revised. Multi-topic question to include aspects of: ? Impairments ? Share-based payment ? Financial instruments ? Retirement benefits ? Discontinued and held-for-sale ? Deferred tax ? Provisions and events after the b/s date Current issues: ? Retirement benefits – Discussion Paper within examinable documents ? Financial Instruments – Discussion Paper within examinable documents ? IFRS 3 Revised ? Harmonisation of international standards P3 – Business Analysis (ftc) Section A ? Question 1 will still focus mainly on the strategic planning process. Key areas may be: 1.SWOT 2.Ansoff 3.Acquisition ? Also expect an implementation issue such as culture or change management Section B ? If culture and/or change management do not appear in the compulsory question then they may appear in the option questions ? Other areas may be: 1.TQM 2.Supply chain management 3.Choosing & evaluating an IT system P4 – Advanced Financial Management Section A ? Business valuation (various methods, with pros and cons) ? Option pricing – Black Scholes model Section B ? Interest rate hedging (futures and options), bond pricing and credit spreads ? Stakeholders and conflict of objectives ? Investment appraisal – with foreign currency P5 – Advanced Performance Management ? Corporate failure as per recent article (July 08) ? Pricing (transfer pricing) ? Strategic planning and gap analysis ? Performance measures for both private and public sector ? Environmental management accounting P6 – Advanced Taxation - IHT vs CGT for lifetime gifts - Sole trader/partnership cessation (IT, NICs, CGT and VAT), possibly with incorporation - Lease versus buy for assets - Employed versus self-employed (IT and NICs) - Badges of trade (IT vs CGT) - Trusts (not a whole question) - Corporation tax – possible areas: -R&D -SSE -Expansion overseas/CFCs -Group reorganisations -Liquidations - Overseas aspects of personal tax - VAT group registration - Ethics (up to 5 marks) P7 – Advanced Audit & Assurance (UK & INT variant) Core areas of the syllabus expected to be examined in every sitting: ? Engagement planning and risk (audit risk likely this sitting); ? Gathering evidence; ? Ethics/professional issues; and ? Engagement reporting (particularly audit qualifications). Subject of recent articles: ? Forensic investigations and audit (September 2008). (Likely to include elements of planning and/or gathering evidence similar to question 2 of pilot paper). ‘Peripheral topics’ from exam approach article yet to be covered: ? Regulatory framework; ? Obtaining professional work; and ? Corporate governance.