§-Accounting syllabus
SA · SACE Board← Accounting
Accounting syllabus, dot point by dot point
Every dot point in the SA Accounting syllabus, with a focused answer for each. Click any dot point for a worked explainer, past exam questions and links to related points.
Topic 1: Preparing and Presenting Accounting Information
Module overview →Why must the ledger be adjusted at balance day before reports are prepared?
Prepare balance day adjustments for accruals, prepayments, depreciation and doubtful debts to produce accurate final reports
What do the three main financial statements tell users about a business?
Prepare and present the income statement, balance sheet and cash flow statement for a business
How is GST recorded and why is it neither revenue nor an expense for the business?
Record the goods and services tax on sales and purchases using source documents and report the net GST liability
How does the choice of inventory system and cost flow affect reported profit?
Record inventory under perpetual and periodic systems and value closing inventory using the FIFO cost flow
How does a transaction travel from source document to ledger balance?
Record business transactions through journals and post them to ledger accounts to prepare a trial balance
Why does every transaction keep the accounting equation in balance?
Apply the accounting equation and the rules of double-entry to analyse the dual effect of business transactions
Topic 2: Analysing and Interpreting Financial Information
Module overview →How well does a business manage its assets and how exposed is it to debt?
Calculate and interpret efficiency and financial stability ratios to evaluate asset management and gearing
How do horizontal, vertical and trend analysis turn raw statements into comparisons?
Apply horizontal, vertical and trend analysis to compare financial statements over time and within a period
How do we turn financial figures and ratios into a judgement about a business?
Interpret financial information using trend analysis, benchmarking and the limitations of the data to evaluate performance
How do ratios reveal profitability and liquidity from the statements?
Calculate and apply profitability and liquidity ratios to evaluate the performance and position of a business
Topic 3: Decision Making for a Business
Module overview →How do budgets and cash flow forecasts help a business plan and stay solvent?
Prepare and use budgets, especially the cash budget, to plan, control and make decisions for a business
How many units must a business sell to break even and reach a target profit?
Apply cost-volume-profit analysis to calculate the break-even point and inform pricing and output decisions
Why can a profitable business run out of cash and how is the difference reconciled?
Explain and reconcile the difference between profit and cash flow to manage the financial sustainability of a business
Which costs actually matter when choosing between business options?
Identify relevant costs and apply them to short-term decisions such as special orders and make-or-buy
Topic 4: Applying Accounting Concepts
Module overview →Which principles and ethical responsibilities govern how accounting information is prepared?
Explain the key accounting principles and ethical responsibilities that underpin reliable financial reporting
How do we apply accounting concepts and judgement to unfamiliar business situations?
Apply accounting concepts, principles and analysis to new and unfamiliar business situations to recommend decisions
How do different business structures and regulation shape the accounting information produced?
Distinguish business structures and explain how the regulatory framework influences accounting activities