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How to prepare for ACCA FA: format, syllabus areas and an 8-week plan

November 2, 2026 · 6 min read

ACCA Financial Accounting (FA) is one of the first exams on the ACCA route. It tests the basics of bookkeeping: double entry, reconciliations, the trial balance, preparing financial statements and simple consolidation.

Exam format

The exam is computer-based and lasts 2 hours. It has two sections:

  • Section A: 35 objective test questions worth 2 marks each (70 marks).
  • Section B: 2 multi-task questions worth 15 marks each (30 marks).

The pass mark is 50%. Two hours over 100 marks gives about 1.2 minutes per mark, so roughly 2.4 minutes for each 2-mark question. Getting used to that pace is a key part of preparation.

The nine syllabus areas

  1. A. Context and purpose of financial reporting
  2. B. Accounting principles and qualitative characteristics
  3. C. Double entry and accounting systems
  4. D. Recording transactions (inventory, non-current assets, accruals, provisions)
  5. E. Reconciliations (bank, control accounts)
  6. F. Trial balance, errors and the suspense account
  7. G. Preparing financial statements (including cash flows)
  8. H. Basic consolidation
  9. I. Interpretation (ratios)

Give most time to D and G: they appear often in both sections and involve calculations.

An 8-week plan (6–8 hours a week)

  • Weeks 1–2: A, B and C. Drill double entry until it is automatic: you should name the debit and credit for any transaction at once.
  • Weeks 3–4: Area D: inventory valuation, depreciation, disposals, accruals and prepayments, the allowance for receivables.
  • Week 5: E and F: bank reconciliations, control accounts, types of error and the suspense account.
  • Week 6: G: the statement of profit or loss, the statement of financial position and the statement of cash flows.
  • Week 7: H and I: goodwill, non-controlling interest, intra-group items and the main ratios.
  • Week 8: timed full mock exams, review of wrong answers and revision of weak areas.

Five tips

  • Answer 15–20 questions straight after each topic instead of leaving practice for later.
  • Keep a list of your mistakes: the same one (such as mixing up margin and mark-up) often repeats.
  • Write short workings on paper for calculations rather than relying on the calculator alone.
  • Sit at least 3–4 timed full mocks in the last two weeks.
  • Do not learn new topics the day before the exam; revisit your mistakes instead.

Where to start

The quickest start is the free diagnostic test: 15 questions across every area show your weak spots. Then enter your exam date and build a study plan, which updates daily from your results. Finish with the FA mock exams at real exam timing.