Financial Accounting (FA/FFA) essentials on one page

What is FA/FFA about?
Financial Accounting (FA/FFA) introduces the fundamentals of preparing financial accounts, the regulatory framework around financial statements and the qualitative characteristics of useful financial information. It covers the recording of transactions through to the preparation of the financial statements.

Overview of FA/FFA

Financial Accounting (FA/FFA) aims to develop knowledge and understanding of the basic principles and concepts of financial accounting. It also provides the technical skills for using double entry accounting techniques. 

This knowledge is the platform to then develop further in more complex accounting issues covered in the skills and strategic papers, FR and SBR.

Illustration demonstrating the use of double-entry and accounting systems to prepare a trial balance.

How to approach your studies

  • We strongly recommend that you study with an Approved Learning Partner or with ACCA-X.
  • Book your exam as early as possible to begin receiving tailored ACCA communications and support.
  • Visit our On-demand CBE hub to access ACCA-X, specimen exams, debrief videos, practice tests, articles & podcasts, and information on booking exams.

Advice from the examining team

  • Study the whole syllabus because the exam will cover the full syllabus.
  • Practise as many objective test questions as possible to ensure you are comfortable with all questions styles.
  • Try not to spend too much time on apparently “difficult” questions.

Read more in the Examining team guidance.

ACCA Study Hub

The ACCA Study Hub is an exclusive digital platform providing free access to study materials, flashcards, short quizzes and practice questions.

Find out how the ACCA Study Hub helps you prepare for your exams.

Link to support resources

Access the FA/FFA syllabus, ACCA-X, specimen & practice exams, technical articles and additional support resources here.

Subscribe to the ACCA student YouTube channel for the latest videos to help you prepare for your exams.

About the exam

Exam format

FA/FFA is a two-hour exam, comprising two sections. All questions are compulsory.

  • Section A comprises 35 objective test (OT) questions worth two marks each.
  • Section B contains two multi-task questions (MTQs) worth 15 marks each.

Tips for answering exam questions

  • Read the question carefully.
  • Read a question more than once if there is any uncertainty about the requirement.
  • Think before answering, don’t rush!
  • Answer the easy exam questions first.
  • If a question is especially difficult, eliminate the least likely choices, arriving at an answer by elimination.
  • Answer all questions even if unsure of the answer

 

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