DipIFR FAQs

How do I find learning materials to support my studies towards the DipIFR qualification?

ACCA has an Content Provider programme. This is the way in which ACCA quality assures a range of content from different providers designed to support study for the ACCA qualifications.

The approved provider for Dip IFR is BPP Learning Media.

Visit our content partners page for more information.

In accordance with IFRS9 Financial instruments, an entity may elect to recognise subsequent re-measurement of investments in equity instruments within other comprehensive income. Is this within the syllabus?

Yes, this is within the syllabus and it is therefore examinable. However, unless the question specifically mentions that the entity has made this election, candidates should assume the default position where any changes in fair value are recognised in profit or loss. 

My revision strategy is to learn certain topics and answer questions only on those. Is this the best way to revise?

A candidate should have an understanding of every element of the syllabus.

Are recently revised versions of (IFRS) International Financial Reporting Standards examinable?

The current version of the IFRS is examinable if it has been issued before the cut-off date of 31 August. You should refer to the published list of examinable documents for the exam session that is applicable to you. For exams in December 2016 and June 2017, the versions of standards that will be examined are those that were issued by 1 September 2015. 

Does the examiner prefer full or partial measurement of goodwill?

This will depend on the question; both the full measurement (which includes non-controlling interests in the goodwill calculation) and the partial measurement (which excludes non-controlling interests) of goodwill could be examinable.

Could you test the reconciliation of group-retained earnings?

Yes, but it hasn’t been tested very often in the past and candidates don’t answer this type of question particularly well. Despite this, the preparation of a consolidated statement of changes in equity does form part of section D of the syllabus so candidates should know how to reconcile the opening and closing balances of group retained earnings.

Will discount factors be given if candidates are expected to determine present values?

Yes, the relevant discount factors will be given.

What if candidates are taught different methods of preparing consolidated accounts, for example, journal entries or ledger accounts?

Appropriate credit will be given as long as the student has answered the question and their workings are clear.

How should candidates better prepare for the DipIFR exam?

We have evidence that many candidates do not practise exam questions prior to the exam but simply read the questions and model answers together. Candidates are advised to practise the past papers as if they were sitting the exam. Past papers are published on the website but these are not updated for any technical changes arising from updates to IFRS. We recommend that candidates use the revision question banks published by ACCA content partners as these contain past exam questions that are updated to reflect the latest syllabus and examinable documents.

If partial workings in the consolidated financial statements aren’t referenced back to the financial statements, would they be marked?

Yes, anything in the answer booklet is marked.

The topic of reporting SMEs is included in the syllabus (part C, section 7 "Reporting requirements of small and medium sized entities"), but the IFRS SME standard is not included in the list of examinable documents. Is this a mistake?

This is not a mistake. The study guide for this section of the syllabus contains the detailed learning outcomes and these all focus on the reasons behind the IFRS for SMEs and other issues related to its development. Candidates will not be asked about the detailed requirements in the standard or about how these differ from full IFRS. For this reason it was decided that the standard should not be included in the examinable documents list.

Is the new standard on leases. IFRS 16, examinable?

IFRS16 Leases was issued in January 2016 and will therefore first be examinable from December 2017 onwards.