AS & A Level- Accounting

The study of Cambridge International AS & A Level Accounting allows learners to take the first step towards a career in accountancy and business. With a good understanding of the subject, students can progress to a degree in a related field, or go on to study for the professional qualifications of one of the major accounting bodies.

Cambridge learners will develop:
• an understanding of how to plan, budget and manage financial resources
• an ability to critically apply, analyse and evaluate accounting policies and practices
• an understanding how to use accounting information to make viable business decisions
• a solid foundation for further study.

Aims of the Syllabus

The syllabus aims to enable candidates to:
• Develop an ability to apply accounting concepts, principles and practices
• Understand the role of accounting as an information system for monitoring, problem-solving and decision making and the place of accounting in changing economic, social and technological environments
• Develop a critical and analytical approach to examining and evaluating accounting policies and practices
• develop skills of communication, analysis, interpretation and presentation of both qualitative and quantitative accounting information.

Syllabus

1. Financial Accounting
• The accounting cycle
• Accounting for non-current assets
• Reconciliation and verification
• Preparation of financial statements:
– adjustments
– sole traders
– partnerships
– limited companies
• Analysis and communication of accounting information to stakeholders

A Level Topics
• Preparation of financial statements:
– manufacturing businesses
– not for profit organisations
– limited companies
– International Accounting Standards
– auditing and stewardship of limited companies
• Business purchase and merger
• Consignment and Joint venture accounts
• Computerised accounting systems
• Analysis and communication of accounting information

2. Cost and Management Accounting
• Costing for materials and labour
• Traditional costing methods:
– absorption costing
– marginal costing
– cost–volume–profit analysis
• The application of accounting to business planning

A Level Topics
• Activity based costing (ABC)
• Budgeting and budgetary control
• Standard costing
• Investment appraisal

Objectives of Assessment

1. Knowledge and understanding
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of financial accounting and cost and management accounting.

2. Application
Apply knowledge and understanding of financial accounting and cost and management accounting to given accounting and business situations, and present the outcomes in the most appropriate form.

3. Analysis
Analyse financial accounting information and cost and management accounting information and communicate outcomes in the most appropriate form.

4. Evaluation
Evaluate financial accounting information and cost and management accounting information to facilitate effective decision making.

Assessment

For Cambridge International AS & A Level Accounting, candidates:
• Take Papers 1 and 2 only (for the Cambridge International AS Level qualification)
(or)
• Follow a staged assessment route by taking Papers 1 and 2 (for the Cambridge International AS Level qualification) in one series, then Paper 3 (for the Cambridge International A Level qualification) in a later series
(or)
• Take Papers 1, 2 and 3 in the same examination series, leading to the full Cambridge International A Level

All components are externally assessed.

COMPONENTS

Paper 1 Multiple Choice
30 multiple choice questions based on the AS Level syllabus content
(1 hour)
Marks- 30 marks
AS Level- 30%
A Level- 15%

Paper 2 Structured Questions
Four structured questions on the AS Level syllabus content
Question 1 on financial accounting
(30 marks)
Questions 2 and 3 on financial accounting
(2 × 15 marks)
Question 4 on cost and management accounting
(30 marks)
(1 hour 30 minutes)
Total 90 marks
AS Level- 70%
A Level- 35%

Paper 3 Structured Questions (3 hours)
Paper 3 tests the additional content for the A Level, but also requires a knowledge and understanding of the AS Level content.
Section A: Four structured questions on financial accounting
(4 × 25 marks)
Section B: Two structured questions on cost and management accounting
(2 × 25 marks)
Total 150 marks
A Level– 50%

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