Financial Management (FM) : Syllabus and Study Guide

September 2018
to
June 2019
Financial
Management
(FM)
Syllabus and study guide

Financial Management (FM)
Guide to structure of the Detailed syllabus
syllabus and study guide This shows the breakdown of the main
capabilities (sections) of the syllabus
into subject areas. This is the blueprint
Overall aim of the syllabus
for the detailed study guide.
This explains briefly the overall objective
Approach to examining the syllabus
of the syllabus and indicates in the
broadest sense the capabilities to be
This section briefly explains the
developed within the exam.
structure of the examination and how it
is assessed.
Relational diagram of linking
Financial Management (FM) with
Study Guide
other ACCA exams
This is the main document that students,
This diagram shows direct and indirect
education and content providers should
links between this exam and other
use as the basis of their studies,
exams preceding or following it. It
instruction and materials. Examinations
indicates where you are expected to
will be based on the detail of the study
have underpinning knowledge and
guide which comprehensively identifies
where it would be useful to review
what could be assessed in any
previous learning before undertaking
examination session. The study guide is
study.
a precise reflection and breakdown of
the syllabus. It is divided into sections
Main capabilities
based on the main capabilities identified
in the syllabus. These sections are
The aim of the syllabus is broken down
divided into subject areas which relate to
into several main capabilities which
the sub-capabilities included in the
divide the syllabus and study guide into
detailed syllabus. Subject areas are
discrete sections.
broken down into sub-headings which
describe the detailed outcomes that
Relational diagram of the main
could be assessed in examinations.
capabilities
These outcomes are described using
verbs indicating what exams may
This diagram illustrates the flows and
require students to demonstrate, and the
links between the main capabilities
broad intellectual level at which these
(sections) of the syllabus and should be
may need to be demonstrated
used as an aid to planning teaching and
(*see intellectual levels below).
learning in a structured way.
Syllabus rationale
This is a narrative explaining how the

syllabus is structured and how the main
capabilities are linked. The rationale
also explains in further detail what the
examination intends to assess and why.
© ACCA 2018-2019 All rights reserved.

Intellectual Levels Learning Hours and

The syllabus is designed to
Education Recognition
progressively broaden and deepen the
The ACCA qualification does not
knowledge, skills and professional
prescribe or recommend any particular
values demonstrated by the student on
number of learning hours for
their way through the qualification.
examinations because study and
learning patterns and styles vary greatly
The specific capabilities within the
between people and organisations. This
detailed syllabuses and study guides are
also recognises the wide diversity of
assessed at one of three intellectual or
personal, professional and educational
cognitive levels:
circumstances in which ACCA students
find themselves.
Level 1: Knowledge and
comprehension
As a member of the International
Level 2: Application and analysis
Federation of Accountants, ACCA seeks
Level 3: Synthesis and evaluation
to enhance the education recognition of
its qualification on both national and
Very broadly, these intellectual levels
international education frameworks, and
relate to the three cognitive levels at
with educational authorities and partners
which the Applied Knowledge,
globally. In doing so, ACCA aims to
the Applied Skills and the Strategic
ensure that its qualifications are
Professional exams
recognised and valued by governments,
are assessed.
regulatory authorities and employers
across all sectors. To this end, ACCA
Each subject area in the detailed study
qualifications are currently recognised
guide included in this document is given
on the education frameworks in several
a 1, 2, or 3 superscript, denoting
countries. Please refer to your national
intellectual level, marked at the end of
education framework regulator for
each relevant line. This gives an
further information.
indication of the intellectual depth at
which an area could be assessed within
Each syllabus contains between 20 and
the examination. However, while level 1
35 main subject area headings
broadly equates with Applied
depending on the nature of the subject
Knowledge , level 2 equates to Applied
and how these areas have been broken
Skills and level 3 to Strategic
down.
Professional, some lower level skills can
continue to be assessed as the student
progresses through each level. This
reflects that at each stage of study there
will be a requirement to broaden, as well
as deepen capabilities. It is also
possible that occasionally some higher
level capabilities may be assessed at
lower levels.

Guide to ACCA ACCA’s regulatory approved quality

assurance process.
Examination Structure
The total exam time is therefore 3 hours
The structure of examinations varies and 20 minutes. Prior to the start of the
within and between levels. exam candidates are given an extra 10
minutes to read the exam instructions.
The Applied Knowledge examinations
contain 100% compulsory questions to Paper-based exams
encourage candidates to study across
the breadth of each syllabus. These are For paper-based exams 15 minutes are
assessed by a two-hour computer based added to the three hours to reflect the
examination. manual effort required as compared to
computer-based exams. All paper-
The Corporate and Business Law exam based and computer-based questions
is a two-hour computer-based objective have been subject to the same quality
test examination for English and Global, assurance process. There will be time
and available as a paper based version awarded by the invigilator to read the
for all variants. exam instructions.
The other Applied Skills examinations Strategic Business Leader is ACCA’s

(PM, TX-UK, FR, AA, and FM) case study examination at the Strategic
contain a mix of objective and longer Professional level and is examined as a
type questions with a duration of three closed book exam of four hours,
hours for 100 marks; these questions including reading, planning and
directly contribute towards the candidate reflection time which can be used
result. These exams are available in flexibly within the examination. There is
computer-based and paper-based no pre-seen information and all exam
formats. Prior to the start of each exam related material, including case
there will be time allocated for students information and exhibits are available
to be informed of the exam instructions. within the examination. Strategic
Business Leader is an exam based on
Computer-based exams one main business scenario which
involves candidates completing several
For the Applied Skills (PM, TX-UK, FR, tasks within which additional material
AA and FM) computer-based exams may be introduced. All questions are
candidates will be delivered an extra 10 compulsory and each examination will
marks of objective test content (either contain a total of 80 technical marks and
five single OT questions or five OT 20 Professional Skills marks. The detail
questions based around a single of the structure of this exam is described
scenario), for which candidates are in the Strategic Business Leader
given an extra 20 minutes. These syllabus and study guide document.
questions are included to ensure
fairness, reliability and security of The other Strategic Professional exams
exams. These questions do not directly are all of three hours and 15 minutes
contribute towards the candidate’s duration. All contain two
score. Candidates will not be able to Sections and all questions are
differentiate between the questions that compulsory. These exams all contain
contribute to the result and those that do four professional marks. The detail of
not. All questions have been subject to

the structure of each of these exams is

described in the individual syllabus and
study guide documents.
ACCA encourages students to take time

to read questions carefully and to plan
answers but once the exam time has
started, there are no additional
restrictions as to when candidates may
start writing in their answer books.
Time should be taken to ensure that all

the information and exam requirements
are properly read and understood.
The pass mark for all ACCA

Qualification examinations is 50%.

Guide to ACCA
Examination Assessment
ACCA reserves the right to examine
anything contained within the study
guide at any examination session. This
includes knowledge, techniques,
principles, theories, and concepts as
specified. For the financial accounting,
audit and assurance, law and tax exams
except where indicated otherwise,
ACCA will publish examinable
documents once a year to indicate
exactly what regulations and legislation
could potentially be assessed within
identified examination sessions.
For examinations, regulation issued or

legislation passed on or before 31
August annually, will be examinable
from 1 September of the following year
to 31 August of the year after that.
Please refer to the examinable
documents for the exam (where
relevant) for further information.
Regulation issued or legislation passed

in accordance with the above dates may
be examinable even if the effective date
is in the future.
The term issued or passed relates to

when regulation or legislation has been
formally approved.
The term effective relates to when

regulation or legislation must be applied
to an entity transactions and business
practices.
The study guide offers more detailed

guidance on the depth and level at
which the examinable documents will be
examined. The study guide should
therefore be read in conjunction with the
examinable documents list.

Financial Management (FM) Syllabus and study guide
This syllabus and study guide is designed to help with planning study and to provide
detailed information on what could be assessed in any examination session.
Aim
To develop the knowledge and skills

expected of a finance manager, in Syllabus
relation to investment, financing, and
dividend policy decisions.
Relational diagram
This diagram shows direct and indirect

links between this exam and other
exams preceding or following it. Some
exams are directly underpinned by other
exams such as Advanced Financial
Management by Financial Management.
These links are shown as solid line
arrows. Other exams only have indirect relationships with each other such as links
existing between the accounting and auditing exams. The links between these are
shown as dotted line arrows. This diagram indicates where you are expected to
have underpinning knowledge and where it would be useful to review previous
learning before undertaking study.

Main capabilities
On successful completion of this exam, candidates should be able to:
A Discuss the role and purpose of the financial management function
B Assess and discuss the impact of the economic environment on financial

management
C Discuss and apply working capital management techniques
D Carry out effective investment appraisal
E Identify and evaluate alternative sources of business finance
F Discuss and apply principles of business and asset valuations
G Explain and apply risk management techniques in business.
This diagram illustrates the flows and links between the main capabilities (sections)
of the syllabus and should be used as an aid to planning teaching and learning in a
structured way.

Rationale
The syllabus for Financial Management

is designed to equip candidates with the
skills that would be expected from a
finance manager responsible for the
finance function of a business. It
prepares candidates for more advanced
and specialist study in Advanced
Financial Management.
The syllabus, therefore, starts by

introducing the role and purpose of the
financial management function within a
business. Before looking at the three
key financial management decisions of
investing, financing, and dividend policy,
the syllabus explores the economic
environment in which such decisions are
made.
The next section of the syllabus is the

introduction of investing decisions. This
is done in two stages - investment in
(and the management of) working
capital and the appraisal of long-term
investments.
The next area introduced is financing

decisions. This section of the syllabus
starts by examining the various sources
of business finance, including dividend
policy and how much finance can be
raised from within the business. It also
looks at the cost of capital and other
factors that influence the choice of the
type of capital a business will raise. The
principles underlying the valuation of
business and financial assets, including
the impact of cost of capital on the value
of business, is covered next.
The syllabus finishes with an

introduction to, and examination of, risk
and the main techniques employed in
managing such risk.

Detailed syllabus 3. Adjusting for risk and uncertainty in

investment appraisal
A Financial management function 4. Specific investment decisions (lease

or buy; asset replacement, capital
1. The nature and purpose of financial rationing)
management
E Business finance
2. Financial objectives and relationship
with corporate strategy 1. Sources of, and raising, business
finance
3. Stakeholders and impact on 2. Estimating the cost of capital
corporate objectives
3. Sources of finance and their relative
4. Financial and other objectives in not- costs
for-profit organisations
4. Capital structure theories and
B Financial management practical considerations
environment
5. Finance for small- and medium-
1. The economic environment for sized entities
business
F Business valuations
2. The nature and role of financial
markets and institutions 1. Nature and purpose of the valuation
of business and financial assets
3. The nature and role of money
markets 2. Models for the valuation of shares
C Working capital management 3. The valuation of debt and other

financial assets
1. The nature, elements and
importance of working capital 4. Efficient market hypothesis (EMH)
and practical considerations in the
2. Management of inventories, valuation of shares
accounts receivable, accounts
payable and cash G Risk management
3. Determining working capital needs 1. The nature and types of risk and
and funding strategies approaches to risk management
D Investment appraisal 2. Causes of exchange rate differences

and interest rate fluctuations
1. Investment appraisal techniques
3. Hedging techniques for foreign
2. Allowing for inflation and taxation in currency risk
4. Hedging techniques for interest rate
risk

Approach to examining the syllabus

The syllabus is assessed by a three-hour examination available in both computer-
based and paper-based formats.*
*For paper-based exams there is an extra 15 minutes to reflect the manual effort
required.
All questions are compulsory. The exam will contain both computational and
discursive elements.
Some questions will adopt a scenario/case study approach.
Computer-based exams
*For computer-based exams an extra 20 minutes is provided to candidates to reflect

the additional content as per below. The total exam time is therefore 3 hours and 20
minutes. Prior to the start of the exam candidates are given an extra 10 minutes to
read the exam instructions.
Section A of the computer-based exam comprises 15 objective test questions of 2

marks each plus additional content as per below.
Section B of the computer-based exam comprises three questions each containing

five objective test questions plus additional content as per below.
For the computer-based exam candidates will be delivered an extra 10 marks of

objective test content (either five single OT questions OR five OT questions based
around a single scenario), for which candidates are given an extra 20
minutes. These questions are included to ensure fairness, reliability and security of
exams. These questions do not directly contribute towards the candidate’s
score. Candidates will not be able to differentiate between the questions that
contribute to the result and those that do not.
Section C of the exam comprises two 20 mark constructed response questions.

The two 20-mark questions will mainly come from the working capital management,
investment appraisal and business finance areas of the syllabus. The section A and
section B questions can cover any areas of the syllabus.
Candidates are provided with a formulae sheet and tables of discount and annuity
factors
Paper-based exams
*For paper-based exams an extra 15 minutes is provided to candidates to reflect the

manual effort required as compared to the time needed for the computer-based
exams. The total exam time is therefore three hours and 15 minutes. Prior to the

start of the exam candidates are given an extra 10 minutes to read the exam
instructions.
Section A of the paper-based exam comprises 15 multiple choice questions of 2

marks each
Section B of the exam comprises three scenarios consisting of 15 multiple choice

questions of 2 marks each
Section C of the exam comprises two 20 mark questions.
The two 20-mark questions will mainly come from the working capital management,
investment appraisal and business finance areas of the syllabus. The section A and
section B questions can cover any areas of the syllabus.
Candidates are provided with a formulae sheet and tables of discount and annuity
factors

Study Guide i) ratio analysis, using appropriate

ratios such as return on
capital employed, return on
A. Financial management equity, earnings per share and
dividend per share
function
ii) changes in dividends and share
1. The nature and purpose of prices as part of total
shareholder return
financial management
e) Explain ways to encourage the
a) Explain the nature and purpose of
achievement of stakeholder
financial management.[1]
objectives, including: [2]
i) managerial reward schemes
b) Explain the relationship between such as share options and
financial management and financial performance-related pay
and management accounting.[1] ii) regulatory requirements such as
corporate governance codes of
2. Financial objectives and the best practice and stock
relationship with corporate exchange listing regulations
strategy
4. Financial and other objectives in
a) Discuss the relationship between not-for-profit organisations
financial objectives, corporate
objectives and corporate strategy.[2] a) Discuss the impact of not-for-profit
status on financial and other
objectives.[2]
b) Identify and describe a variety of
financial objectives, including: [2] b) Discuss the nature and importance
i) shareholder wealth maximisation of Value for Money as an objective
ii) profit maximisation in not-for-profit organisations.[2]
iii) earnings per share growth.
c) Discuss ways of measuring the
achievement of objectives in not-for-
3. Stakeholders and impact on
profit organisations.[2]
corporate objectives
a) Identify the range of stakeholders

B. Financial management
and their objectives [2] environment
b) Discuss the possible conflict 1. The economic environment for

between stakeholder objectives [2] business
c) Discuss the role of management in a) Identify and explain the main

meeting stakeholder objectives, macroeconomic policy targets.[1]
including the application of agency
theory.[2] b) Define and discuss the role of fiscal,
monetary, interest rate and
d) Describe and apply ways of exchange rate policies in achieving
measuring achievement of corporate macroeconomic policy targets.[1]
objectives including:[2]

c) Explain how government economic b) Explain the role of banks and other
policy interacts with planning and financial institutions in the operation
decision-making in business.[2] of the money markets.[2]
d) Explain the need for, and the c) Explain the characteristics and role
interaction with, planning and of the principal money market
decision-making in business of: [1] instruments:[2]
i) competition policy i) interest-bearing instruments
ii) government assistance for ii) discount instruments
business iii) derivative products.
iii) green policies
iv) corporate governance C. Working capital
regulation.[2] management
2. The nature and role of financial
markets and institutions 1. The nature, elements and
importance of working capital
a) Identify the nature and role of money
and capital markets, both nationally a) Describe the nature of working
and internationally.[2] capital and identify its elements.[1]
b) Explain the role of financial b) Identify the objectives of working

intermediaries.[1] capital management in terms of
liquidity and profitability, and discuss
c) Explain the functions of a stock the conflict between them.[2]
market and a corporate bond
market.[2] c) Discuss the central role of working
capital management in financial
d) Explain the nature and features of management.[2]
different securities in relation to the
risk/return trade-off.[2] 2. Management of inventories,
accounts receivable, accounts
3. The nature and role of money payable and cash
markets
a) Explain the cash operating cycle and
a) Describe the role of the money
the role of accounts payable and
markets in:[1]
accounts receivable.[2]
i) providing short-term liquidity to
the private sector and the public b) Explain and apply relevant
sector accounting ratios, including: [2]
i) current ratio and quick ratio
ii) providing short-term trade ii) inventory turnover ratio, average
finance collection period and average
payable period
iii) allowing an organisation to
iii) sales revenue/net working
manage its exposure to foreign
capital ratio.
currency risk and interest rate
risk. c) Discuss, apply and evaluate the use
of relevant techniques in managing
inventory, including the Economic

Order Quantity model and Just-in- i) the length of the working capital
Time techniques.[2] cycle and terms of trade
ii) an organisation’s policy on the
d) Discuss, apply and evaluate the use level of investment in current
of relevant techniques in managing assets
accounts receivable, including: iii) the industry in which the
i) assessing creditworthiness [1] organisation operates.
ii) managing accounts receivable [1]
iii) collecting amounts owing [1] b) Describe and discuss the key factors
iv) offering early settlement in determining working capital
discounts [2] funding strategies, including:[2]
v) using factoring and invoice i) the distinction between
discounting [2] permanent and fluctuating
vi) managing foreign accounts current assets
receivable.[2] ii) the relative cost and risk of short-
term and long-term finance
e) Discuss and apply the use of iii) the matching principle
relevant techniques in managing iv) the relative costs and benefits of
accounts payable, including: aggressive, conservative and
i) using trade credit effectively [1] matching funding policies
ii) evaluating the benefits of v) management attitudes to risk,
discounts for early settlement previous funding decisions and
and bulk purchase [2] organisation size.[1]
iii) managing foreign accounts
payable.[1]
D. Investment appraisal
f) Explain the various reasons for
holding cash, and discuss and apply 1. Investment appraisal techniques
the use of relevant techniques in
managing cash, including:[2] a) Identify and calculate relevant cash
i) preparing cash flow forecasts to flows for investment projects.[2]
determine future cash flows and
cash balances b) Calculate payback period and
ii) assessing the benefits of discuss the usefulness of payback
centralised treasury as an investment appraisal
management and cash control method.[2]
iii) cash management models, such
as the Baumol model and the c) Calculate discounted payback and
Miller-Orr model discuss its usefulness as an
iv) investing short-term. investment appraisal method.[2]
3. Determining working capital d) Calculate return on capital

needs and funding strategies employed (accounting rate of
return) and discuss its usefulness
a) Calculate the level of working capital as an investment appraisal
investment in current assets and method.[2]
discuss the key factors determining
this level, including:[2] e) Calculate net present value and
discuss its usefulness as an

method.[2] d) Apply and discuss other techniques

of adjusting for risk and uncertainty
f) Calculate internal rate of return and in investment appraisal, including:
discuss its usefulness as an i) simulation [1]
investment appraisal ii) adjusted payback [1]
method.[2] iii) risk-adjusted discount rates [2]
g) Discuss the superiority of 4. Specific investment decisions

discounted cash flow (DCF) (Lease or buy; asset
methods over non-DCF methods.[2] replacement; capital rationing)
h) Discuss the relative merits of NPV a) Evaluate leasing and borrowing to

and IRR.[2] buy using the before-and after-tax
costs of debt.[2]
2. Allowing for inflation and
taxation in DCF b) Evaluate asset replacement
decisions using equivalent annual
a) Apply and discuss the real-terms cost and equivalent annual
and nominal-terms approaches to benefit.[2]
investment appraisal.[2]
c) Evaluate investment decisions
b) Calculate the taxation effects of under single-period capital
relevant cash flows, including the rationing, including:[2]
tax benefits of tax-allowable
depreciation and the tax liabilities of i) the calculation of profitability
taxable profit.[2] indexes for divisible investment
projects
c) Calculate and apply before- and ii) the calculation of the NPV of
after-tax discount rates.[2] combinations of non-divisible
investment projects
3. Adjusting for risk and uncertainty iii) a discussion of the reasons for
in investment appraisal capital rationing.
a) Describe and discuss the difference E. Business finance

between risk and uncertainty in
relation to probabilities and 1. Sources of and raising business
increasing project life.[2] finance
b) Apply sensitivity analysis to
a) Identify and discuss the range of
investment projects and discuss the
short-term sources of finance
usefulness of sensitivity analysis in
available to businesses, including:[2]
assisting investment decisions.[2]
i) overdraft
ii) short-term loan
c) Apply probability analysis to
iii) trade credit
investment projects and discuss the
iv) lease finance.
usefulness of probability analysis in
assisting investment decisions.[2]
b) Identify and discuss the range of
long-term sources of finance
available to businesses, including:[2]

i) equity finance 2. Estimating the cost of capital

ii) debt finance
iii) lease finance a) Estimate the cost of equity
iv) venture capital. including:[2]
i) application of the dividend
c) Identify and discuss methods of growth model and discussion of
raising equity finance, including:[2] its weaknesses.
i) rights issue ii) explanation and discussion of
ii) placing systematic and unsystematic
iii) public offer risk.
iv) stock exchange listing. iii) relationship between portfolio
theory and the capital asset
d) Identify and discuss methods of pricing model (CAPM)
raising short and long term iv) application of the CAPM, its
Islamic finance, including[1] assumptions, advantages and
disadvantages.
i) major difference between Islamic
finance and the other forms of b) Estimating the cost of debt:
business finance. i) irredeemable debt
ii) The concept of riba (interest) and ii) redeemable debt
how returns are made by iii) convertible debt
Islamic financial securities. iv) preference shares
iii) Islamic financial instruments v) bank debt.
availableto businesses
including: c) Estimating the overall cost of capital
i) murabaha (trade credit) including:[2]
ii) ijara (lease finance) i) distinguishing between average
iii) mudaraba equity finance) and marginal cost of capital
iv) sukuk (debt finance) ii) calculating the weighted average
v) musharaka (venture cost of capital (WACC) using
capital). book value and market value
(note: calculations are not required) weightings.
e) Identify and discuss internal 3. Sources of finance and their

sources of finance, including:[2] relative costs
i) retained earnings
ii) increasing working capital a) Describe the relative risk-return
management efficiency relationship and the relative costs of
iii) the relationship between equity and debt.[2]
dividend policy and the financing
decision b) Describe the creditor hierarchy and
iv) the theoretical approaches to, its connection with the relative costs
and the practical influences on, of sources of finance.[2]
the dividend decision, including
legal constraints, liquidity, c) Identify and discuss the problem of
shareholding expectations and high levels of gearing.[2]
alternatives to cash dividends.
d) Assess the impact of sources of
finance on financial position,

financial risk and shareholder 5. Finance for small and medium

wealth using appropriate measures, sized entities (SMEs)
including:[2]
i) ratio analysis using statement of a) Describe the financing needs of
financial position gearing, small businesses.[2]
operational and financial gearing,
interest coverage ratio and other b) Describe the nature of the financing
relevant ratios problem for small businesses in
ii) cash flow forecasting terms of the funding gap, the
iii) leasing or borrowing to buy. maturity gap and inadequate
security.[2]
e) Impact of cost of capital on
investments including:[2] c) Explain measures that may be taken
i) the relationship between to ease the financing problems of
company value and cost of SMEs, including the responses of
capital. government departments and
ii) the circumstances under which financial institutions.[1]
WACC can be used in
investment appraisal d) Identify and evaluate the financial
iii) the advantages of the CAPM impact of sources of finance for
over WACC in determining a SMEs, including sources already
project-specific cost of capital. referred to in syllabus section E1
iv) the application of CAPM in and also [2]
calculating a project-specific i) Business angel financing
discount rate. ii) Government assistance
iii) Supply chain financing
4. Capital structure theories and iv) Crowdfunding / peer-to-peer
practical considerations funding.
a) Describe the traditional view of

capital structure and its
F Business valuations
assumptions.[2]
1. Nature and purpose of the
b) Describe the views of Miller and valuation of business and
Modigliani on capital structure, both financial assets
without and with corporate taxation,
and their assumptions.[2] a) Identify and discuss reasons for
valuing businesses and financial
c) Identify a range of capital market assets.[2]
imperfections and describe their
impact on the views of Miller and b) Identify information requirements for
Modigliani on capital structure.[2] valuation and discuss the limitations
of different types of information.[2]
d) Explain the relevance of pecking
order theory to the selection of 2. Models for the valuation of shares
sources of finance.[1]
a) Discuss and apply asset-based
valuation models, including:[2]
i) net book value (statement of
financial

position) basis G Risk Management

ii) net realisable value basis
iii) net replacement cost basis. 1. The nature and types of risk and
approaches to risk management
b) Discuss and apply income-based
valuation models, including:[2] a) Describe and discuss different types
i) price/earnings ratio method of foreign currency risk:[2]
ii) earnings yield method. i) translation risk
ii) transaction risk
c) Discuss and apply cash flow-based iii) economic risk.
i) dividend valuation model and the b) Describe and discuss different types
dividend growth model of interest rate risk:[1]
ii) discounted cash flow basis. i) gap exposure
ii) basis risk.
3. The valuation of debt and other
financial assets 2. Causes of exchange rate
differences and interest rate
a) Discuss and apply appropriate fluctuations
valuation methods to:[2]
i) irredeemable debt a) Describe the causes of exchange
ii) redeemable debt rate fluctuations, including:
iii) convertible debt i) balance of payments [1]
iv) preference shares. ii) purchasing power parity theory [2]
iii) interest rate parity theory [2]
4. Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH) iv) four-way equivalence.[2]
and practical considerations in
the valuation of shares b) Forecast exchange rates using:[2]
i) purchasing power parity
a) Distinguish between and discuss ii) interest rate parity.
weak form efficiency, semi-strong
form efficiency and strong form c) Describe the causes of interest rate
efficiency.[2] fluctuations, including: [2]
i) structure of interest rates and
b) Discuss practical considerations in yield curves
the valuation of shares and ii) expectations theory
businesses, including:[2] iii) liquidity preference theory
i) marketability and liquidity of iv) market segmentation.
shares
ii) availability and sources of 3. Hedging techniques for foreign
information currency risk
iii) market imperfections and pricing
anomalies a) Discuss and apply traditional and
iv) market capitalisation. basic methods of foreign currency
risk management, including:
c) Describe the significance of investor i) currency of invoice [1]
speculation and the explanations of ii) netting and matching [2]
investor decisions offered by iii) leading and lagging [2]
behavioural finance.[1] iv) forward exchange contracts [2]

v) money market hedging [2]

vi) asset and liability management.[1]
b) Compare and evaluate traditional

methods of foreign currency risk
management.[2]
c) Identify the main types of foreign

currency derivatives used to hedge
foreign currency risk and explain
how they are used in hedging.[1]
(No numerical questions will be set on

this topic)
4. Hedging techniques for interest

rate risk
a) Discuss and apply traditional and

basic methods of interest rate risk
management, including:
i) matching and smoothing [1]
ii) asset and liability management [1]
iii) forward rate agreements.[2]
b) Identify the main types of interest

rate derivatives used to hedge
interest rate risk and explain how
they are used in hedging.[1]
(No numerical questions will be set on

this topic)

Summary of changes to Financial Management (FM)

ACCA periodically reviews its qualification syllabuses so that they fully meet the needs of
stakeholders such as employers, students, regulatory and advisory bodies and learning providers.
Amendments /additions
There have been no amendments to the Financial Management (FM) study guide from the 2017 –
2018 study guide.
Table 1 – Amendments to Financial Management
Section and subject area Syllabus content
F2 and Verbs added to learning 2. Models for the valuation of shares

F3 outcomes to clarify that students
are expected to be able to a) Discuss and apply asset-based
discuss and apply these methods valuation models, including:[2]
i) net book value (statement of
financial
position) basis
ii) net realisable value basis
iii) net replacement cost basis.
b) Discuss and apply income-based

i) price/earnings ratio method
ii) earnings yield method.
c) Discuss and apply cash flow-based

i) dividend valuation model and the
dividend growth model
ii) discounted cash flow basis.
3. The valuation of debt and other

financial assets
a) Discuss and apply appropriate

valuation methods to:[2]
i) irredeemable debt
ii) redeemable debt
iii) convertible debt
iv) preference shares.

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September 2018

Syllabus and study guide

Guide to structure of the Detailed syllabus

This is a narrative explaining how the

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Intellectual Levels Learning Hours and

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Guide to ACCA ACCA’s regulatory approved quality

The other Applied Skills examinations Strategic Business Leader is ACCA’s

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the structure of each of these exams is

ACCA encourages students to take time

Time should be taken to ensure that all

The pass mark for all ACCA

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For examinations, regulation issued or

Regulation issued or legislation passed

The term issued or passed relates to

The term effective relates to when

The study guide offers more detailed

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