Which order for ACCA units?

jenny3549
jenny3549 Registered Posts: 464 Dedicated contributor 🦉
edited June 18 in AAT member discussion
Hi Guys,

I was just wondering if I could pick the brains of those of you doing (or having done) ACCA as to which units to start with.

I've searched previous threads and the concensus seems to be to do the ones that follow on from what you did most recently for the AAT. This is my quandry. I have been very, very slow at completing Level 4 due to being self study, somewhat lazy, and the ability to sit the exams when you want (is a really good thing but makes it easier to procrastinate!).

So, the last exam I did was in April (just waiting to get my Unit 10 project signed off now) so nothing is really that fresh in my mind. I'm therefore thinking of trying to pick two (or maybe three since I'll be sitting in June next year) 'nice' units to try and ease myself in.

Does anyone have any recommendations for units which will not scare the pants off me/make me decide to decorate another room (my usual trick to put something off)?

I'm thinking that one should be F6 as I do love tax but this is as far as I get. I'll be self study again (at least to begin with, I'll see how that goes) if that would have any bearing on it.

Any advice, thoughts etc would be most gratefully received.

Jenny

Comments

  • Richard
    Richard Registered Posts: 368 Dedicated contributor 🦉
    I did ACCA in number order, starting with F4 and F5. F4 (Law) will be completely new to you, but the style of the exam is a nice introduction to ACCA - 10 questions worth 10 marks each, and is fairly predictable in places!

    A lot of F5 will be familiar to you from the costing papers at AAT - variance analysis, etc

    F6 will also be very familiar, especially if you did personal and business tax at AAT - there aren't many new topics to learn, just develops what you already know.

    F7 builds on what you have learnt at AAT regarding the accounting standards, financial statements, group accounts, etc.

    F8 is audit - I hadn't studied audit at AAT so not sure how much overlap there is.

    F9 - this is probably the hardest of the F papers, so don't start with this!! Parts of it you will have learnt at AAT, but it took me a while to understand this paper.

    One thing to consider is when you move on to the 'P' papers, there is a lot of assumed knowledge from the 'F' papers. So if you were to start with F6 tax, and later decide to study P6 advanced tax, there will be a 2 or 3 year gap between studying as this will be one of your final papers. Similarly with F7 and P2 - I have seen it recommended that F7 is left until last, then do P2 almost immediately afterwards while all of the knowledge is fresh in your mind.

    If you need any more help, give me a shout!
  • Jo Clark
    Jo Clark Registered Posts: 2,470 Beyond epic contributor 🧙‍♂️
    Thank you Jenny, for asking this question, and thank you for your reply Richard.

    I have made no decision about what to do next but was hoping to look at some past papers for ACCA but the website doesn't seem to be working!

    Does anyone have any past papers which they wouldn't mind sharing with me? Also, any advice on tuition providers or study materials to use if going it alone?

    Feel free to send me a PM or reply here.

    Many thanks.


    JC
    ~ An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest ~
    Benjamin Franklin
  • jenny3549
    jenny3549 Registered Posts: 464 Dedicated contributor 🦉
    Thanks Richard, that's very helpful.

    A good point about going from the F papers to the P papers, I hadn't considered that!

    I think I will probably avoid Audit to begin with, didn't do that for AAT so will be competely new and all written. I dread the written stuff, I'm much more of a numbers girl. I know law will also be all written but maybe that's a good place to start if it's a good paper as you say.

    Thanks again for the advice.
  • Richard
    Richard Registered Posts: 368 Dedicated contributor 🦉
    Hi Both

    Jo - the ACCA website seems to be working now so you should be able to download the past papers.

    I studied with BPP online classroom which I found really good. They supply you with the same notes that you would receive if you had taught classes and revision courses with them. All the lectures are accessed online.

    Jenny - I hated audit too! It's probably best not to do it as your first paper. There is a bit of assumed knowledge from F7 regarding the accounting standards.

    Good luck to you both with whatever you decide.
  • jenny3549
    jenny3549 Registered Posts: 464 Dedicated contributor 🦉
    Is the ACCA website always like this!!!

    I've been trying to register since Wednesday. :mad2: Most of the time you can't access it all and when I can I can't upload my photo etc. Have phoned them a couple of times only to be told 'yes, we've had problems all week, sorry about that'

    I don't think they want my money!!
  • mini_schnauzer
    mini_schnauzer Registered Posts: 347 Dedicated contributor 🦉
    Take your first papers in subjects that you are interested in and found okay at AAT level. ACCA is a step up, but you will find it easier if your first exams are on subjects that you are more comfortable with. When you pass your first couple it will give you the confidence to continue onto the other papers.
  • EMPG
    EMPG Registered Posts: 20 Dedicated contributor 🦉
    Hi,

    I Have done F4, F5 and preparing for F6 now; just following number order at the moment but I found F4 really hard to start with because is all theory & memorising but I am more of numbers! Althou saying that I passed F4 and failed F5.
    I would suggest start by following with numbers taking intom account mini advice of trying to attempt what you think you may feel more confortoble with.
    Good luck

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