/>
/
t.c
om
sp
o
og
.bl
ter
ial
dy
ma

stu

Practice & Revision Kit

Look inside

ac

ca

Paper P5
Advanced Performance
Management
Practice & Revision Kit for exams
up to June 2015

Free access
to our Exam

Success site

htt

p:/

June 2014
£18.00

ACCA Approved

/fr
ee

BPP House
142-144 Uxbridge Road
London W12 8AA
United Kingdom
T 0845 075 1100 (UK)
T +44 (0)20 8740 2211 (Overseas)
E
bpp.com/learningmedia

• Banks of questions on every syllabus area
• Answers with detailed guidance on approaching
 questions
• Three mock exams with full answers and guidance


For exams up to June 2015


Contact us

One of a suite of products supporting Paper P5
Advanced Performance Management, for use
independently or as part of a package, this Kit is
targeted at ACCA’s exams up to June 2015 and
contains:

Practice & Revision Kit

Paper P5
Advanced Performance Management
This Kit provides material specifically for the practice
and revision stage of your studies for Paper P5
Advanced Performance Management that has been
comprehensively reviewed by the ACCA examining
team. This unique review ensures that the questions,
solutions and guidance provide the best and most
effective resource for practising and revising for the
exam.

Advanced Performance Management

BPP Learning Media is dedicated to supporting aspiring business professionals
with top-quality learning material as they study for demanding professional
exams, often whilst working full time. BPP Learning Media’s commitment
to student success is shown by our record of quality, innovation and market
leadership in paper-based and e-learning materials. BPP Learning Media’s study
materials are written by professionally qualified specialists who know from

personal experience the importance of top-quality materials for exam success.

ACCA P5

ACCA approved content provider

ACCA APPROVED CONTENT PROVIDER

/>ACP5RK14.indd 1-3

30/05/2014 15:37


co
m/

/>
log
sp
o t.

P
R
A
C
T
I
C
E


ria

ym

ate

ADVANCED PERFORMANCE
MANAGEMENT

l.b

PAPER P5

tud

BPP Learning Media is an ACCA Approved Learning Partner – content for ACCA
qualifications. This means we work closely with ACCA to ensure our products fully
prepare you for your ACCA exams.

as

In this Practice and Revision Kit, which has been reviewed by ACCA’s examination
team, we:
Discuss the best strategies for revising and taking your ACCA exams



Ensure you are well prepared for your exam




Provide you with lots of great guidance on tackling questions



Provide you with three mock exams including the Pilot Paper



Provide ACCA’s exam answers as well as our own for selected questions

ea

cc



htt
p:/

/fr
e

Our Passcard and i-Pass products also support this paper.

FOR EXAMS UP TO JUNE 2015

/>
&
R

E
V
I
S
I
O
N
K
I
T


log
sp
o t.

co
m/

/>
l.b

First edition 2007
Eighth edition June 2014

ria

ISBN 9781 4727 1111 3
(previous ISBN 9781 4453 6655 5)


ate

e-ISBN 9781 4727 1175 5

All our rights reserved. No part of this publication may be
reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in
any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior
written permission of BPP Learning Media Ltd.

ym

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book
is available from the British Library

BPP Learning Media Ltd
BPP House, Aldine Place
London W12 8AA

We are grateful to the Association of Chartered Certified
Accountants for permission to reproduce past
examination questions. The suggested solutions in the
practice answer bank have been prepared by BPP
Learning Media Ltd, except where otherwise stated.

as

www.bpp.com/learningmedia


tud

Published by

ea

Hennock Road
Marsh Barton
Exeter
EX2 8RP

cc

Printed in the United Kingdom by Polestar Wheatons

htt
p:/

/fr
e

Your learning materials, published by BPP Learning
Media Ltd, are printed on paper obtained from
traceable, sustainable sources.

©
BPP Learning Media Ltd
2014

ii


/>

Contents

co
m/

/>
Page

Finding questions

log
sp
o t.

Question index ..................................................................................................................................................................v
Topic index ......................................................................................................................................................................ix

Helping you with your revision ................................................................................... xi
Revising P5

l.b

Topics to revise & Question practice...............................................................................................................................xii
Passing the P5 exam......................................................................................................................................................xiii
Exam formulae ............................................................................................................................................................. xviii
Exam information ............................................................................................................................................................ xx
Analysis of past papers ................................................................................................................................................. xxi

Useful websites ............................................................................................................................................................ xxiii

Questions and answers

ria

Questions ..........................................................................................................................................................................3
Answers ........................................................................................................................................................................131

ate

Exam practice

Mock exam 1

Questions ............................................................................................................................................................487

Plan of attack .......................................................................................................................................................497

Answers...............................................................................................................................................................499

ym

Mock exam 2 (Pilot paper)

Questions ............................................................................................................................................................519

Plan of attack .......................................................................................................................................................527

Answers...............................................................................................................................................................529


tud

Mock exam 3 (December 2013)

Questions ............................................................................................................................................................551

Plan of attack .......................................................................................................................................................559

Answers...............................................................................................................................................................561

htt
p:/

/fr
e

ea

Review form

cc

as

ACCA’s exam answers

June 2013............................................................................................................................................................583

December 2013 ...................................................................................................................................................591


iii

/>

/>
co
m/

A note about copyright
Dear Customer
What does the little © mean and why does it matter?

log
sp
o t.

Your market-leading BPP books, course materials and e-learning materials do not write and update themselves.
People write them: on their own behalf or as employees of an organisation that invests in this activity. Copyright law
protects their livelihoods. It does so by creating rights over the use of the content.
Breach of copyright is a form of theft – as well as being a criminal offence in some jurisdictions, it is potentially a
serious breach of professional ethics.
With current technology, things might seem a bit hazy but, basically, without the express permission of BPP
Learning Media:
Photocopying our materials is a breach of copyright



Scanning, rip-casting or conversion of our digital materials into different file formats, uploading them to
Facebook or emailing them to your friends is a breach of copyright


l.b



ria

You can, of course, sell your books, in the form in which you have bought them – once you have finished with
them. (Is this fair to your fellow students? We update for a reason.) Please note the e-products are sold on a single
user licence basis: we do not supply ‘unlock’ codes to people who have bought them second-hand.

htt
p:/

/fr
e

ea

cc

as

tud

ym

ate

And what about outside the UK? BPP Learning Media strives to make our materials available at prices students can

afford by local printing arrangements, pricing policies and partnerships which are clearly listed on our website. A
tiny minority ignore this and indulge in criminal activity by illegally photocopying our material or supporting
organisations that do. If they act illegally and unethically in one area, can you really trust them?

iv

Finding questions

/>

/>
co
m/

Question index

The headings in this checklist/index indicate the main topics of questions, but questions often cover several
different topics. Where necessary, questions have been amended to reflect the new format of the exam, from June
2013.

log
sp
o t.

Questions set under the old syllabus Performance Management paper are included because their style and content
are similar to those which appear in the P5 exam. They have 'PM' after the question name. These questions have
been amended to reflect the current exam format. Questions taken from the P3 Business Analysis syllabus (when a
re-alignment of syllabuses took place in 2010) are denoted by ‘BA' after the question name.
Exam questions set under the current syllabus are designated 'APM' after the question name.
Time


Page number

Marks

allocation
(Mins)

Question

Answer

45

3

131

45

4

133

45

5

137


25

45

6

140

25

45

6

142

25

45

7

145

25

45

8


150

25

45

10

155

25

45

11

157

25

45

12

161

25

45


13

163

25

45

13

166

25

45

14

168

25

45

15

170

25


45

16

172

25

45

17

175

17 GHG (APM 6/08, amended)

25

45

18

177

18 F4U (APM 6/09)

25

45


18

179

19 CAP (APM 12/09, amended)

25

45

19

182

20 FGH Telecom (APM 12/10, amended)

25

45

21

186

21 SQR Sports racquets

25

45


22

189

22 Stokeness (APM 6/13)

25

45

23

192

Diverse holdings (PM 12/05, amended)

25

2

ST University

25

3

HEG (APM 12/07, amended)

25


4

AB Electronics

5

Megasnack

6

Ganymede (APM 6/12, amended)

7

Drinks Group (APM 12/12, amended)

8

Business process re-engineering

9

GMB Co (APM 12/07, amended)

ym

ate

ria


1

10 Sports Shop
11 Scott
12 MKO Clothing

tud

13 BV Entertainments
14 EEE Chemical company
15 GSC groceries

l.b

Part A: Strategic planning and control

htt
p:/

/fr
e

cc

ea

16 GTR panels

as


Part B: External influences on organisational
performance

Finding questions

/>
v


/>Page number

Marks

allocation
(Mins)

Question

Answer

23 Handra

25

45

24

197


24 FDS irrigation systems

25

45

25

199

25 TREN engine components

25

45

26

201

26 KLP divisions

25

45

26

203


27 Racer deliveries

25

45

27

206

28 Auto Parts

25

45

28

208

29 CMA Supermarkets

25

45

29

210


30 Viga Drinks (Preparation question)

20

36

30

212

31 Beachy Co

25

45

30

214

32 Cobra Golf Club (Preparation question)

20

36

31

217


33 Bluefin School (APM 12/11, amended)

25

45

33

218

25

45

35

221

25

45

35

224

25

45


36

227

25

45

37

230

25

45

38

233

25

45

39

235

25


45

40

240

25

45

42

244

42 BAG (APM 12/08, Preparation question)

20

36

44

249

43 SSA (APM 12/09, amended)

25

45


45

251

25

45

46

255

25

45

47

258

25

45

47

260

20


36

48

262

48 Tench (APM 12/11, amended)

25

45

49

265

49 Navier Aerials (APM 6/13)

25

45

50

268

50 TAW (APM 6/08, amended)

25


45

51

272

51 Thebe (APM 6/12, amended)

25

45

53

274

52 There 4 U (APM 6/09, amended)

25

45

54

278

53 SSH (APM 12/08)

25


45

55

280

54 Universal Pottery Company (BA 12/07)

25

45

56

283

55 CCT Computer Systems (Preparation question)

12

22

57

287

56 Astrodome (PM 12/05, amended)

25


45

58

289

57 TRG (APM 6/08, amended)

25

45

59

290

58 UU (APM 6/09, amended)

25

45

60

293

ate

35 ZTC Communications
36 Stayzee Hotels

38 SEC
39 Landual Lamps (APM 6/13)
40 Alpha Division (APM 12/07)

44 Seatown

as

45 LGHD (APM 6/10, amended)

tud

41 Stillwater Services (APM 12/12, amended)

46 CFE coffee shops

/fr
e

ea

cc

47 JIT systems (Preparation question)

htt
p:/

ym


37 CSG (PM 6/07, amended)

l.b

ria

Part D: Strategic performance measurement
34 CFD (APM 12/09, amended)

log
sp
o t.

Part C: Performance measurement systems and
design

vi

co
m/

Time

Finding questions

/>

/>Page number

co

m/

Time
Marks

allocation
(Mins)

Question

Answer

59 Elegant Hotels (BA 6/09)

25

45

61

295

60 Connie Head

25

45

62


61 Equiguard (BA 12/08)

25

45

62

64

303

63 Bettaserve (APM Pilot paper)

25

45

65

306

64 Cod (APM 12/11)

25

45

66


308

65 APX Accountancy (APM 6/11, amended)

25

45

68

312

66 Eatwell Restaurant (PM 6/02, amended)

25

45

69

315

67 Amal (APM 6/12, amended)

25

45

69


318

68 B2B Deliveries

25

45

70

322

69 Glitter Fashions

25

45

71

325

25

45

72

327


25

45

73

329

25

45

74

331

25

45

75

334

25

45

76


337

25

45

77

340

25

45

78

344

25

45

79

346

25

45


80

348

25

45

81

352

25

45

82

354

25

45

84

359

82 RM Batteries (APM 12/10, amended)


25

45

84

361

83 NW Clothes

25

45

86

364

25

45

87

366

70 SFS (APM 6/10, amended)
71 LOL cards (APM 12/10, amended)

ate


72 BEG (APM 6/10, amended)
73 XYZ Co
74 ENT Entertainments (APM 6/11, amended)

ym

75 Vision (PM 12/06, amended)
76 TMC (APM 12/08, amended)
77 Joint venture

80 Coal Creek (APM 12/12, amended)

htt
p:/

/fr
e

ea

cc

84 Action Buttons

as

81 BPC (APM 12/07, amended)

tud


78 Callisto (APM 6/12, amended)
79 CHN Retail chain

l.b

45

ria

25

300

log
sp
o t.

Part E: Performance evaluation and corporate
failure
62 YCT yachts

298

Finding questions

/>
vii



/>Page number

Marks

allocation
(Mins)

Question

Answer

85 Environmental management accounting (Preparation question)

20

36

89

369

86 School League Tables

25

45

89

370


87 BPL Leisure

25

45

90

373

88 Mentons

25

45

91

375

89 Herman Swan & Co (APM 12/12, amended)

25

45

92

378


90 Great National Trains

25

45

93

384

90

95

389

90

97

394

90

99

399

90


101

403

50

90

103

410

50

90

105

414

50

90

107

422

50


90

108

428

50

90

110

434

50

90

112

439

50

90

115

446


50

90

117

453

50

90

119

458

50

90

121

465

50

90

123


473

50

90

124

477

log
sp
o t.

Part F: Current developments and emerging issues
in performance management

50

92 Robust Laptops (APM 12/10, amended)

50

93 RRR (APM 12/09, amended)

50

94 BWY houses


50

ria

91 Armstrong Stores (APM, Sample question, amended)

95 Film Productions Co (APM 12/10, amended)
96 Metis (APM 6/12, amended)

ate

97 GWCC (PM 6/06, amended)
98 JHK Coffee Machines (APM 6/11, amended)
99 TSC (APM 12/08, amended)

ym

100 BEC (APM 12/09, amended)
101 HFG (APM 6/08, amended)
102 SBC (APM 6/10, amended)
104 Glasburgh (APM 6/09, amended)
105 AAA Management Consultancy

cc

Mock exam 1

as

106 Zed Leisure


tud

103 Kolmog Hotels (APM 6/13)

l.b

Section A Questions

Mock exam 2 (Pilot Paper)

htt
p:/

/fr
e

ea

Mock exam 3 (December 2013)

viii

co
m/

Time

Finding questions


/>

Topic index

co
m/

/>Listed below are the key Paper P5 syllabus topics and the numbers of the questions in this Kit covering those
topics.
If you need to concentrate your practice and revision on certain topics or if you want to attempt all available
questions that refer to a particular subject, you will find this index useful.
Question numbers

Accountability and responsibility accounting
Activity-based costing
Activity-based management
Ansoff's growth vector matrix
Appraisals and performance management

26, 58, Mock 2 Qn 2
9, 49, 92
70
75, 76
60

Balanced scorecard
Behavioural aspects of budgeting
Benchmarking
Beyond budgeting
BCG matrix

Branding
Budgeting and types of budget
Building blocks model (Fitzgerald and Moon)
Business process re-engineering
Business structure (and performance measurement)

62, 69, 91, 102-105, Mock 2 Qn 3
57
6, 91, 98
92, 93
74, 87, 94
46
7, 92, 93
65, 66, 99
8
78

l.b

ria

ate

30, 31, 33
80-83, 106
42, 48-50, 97
3, 34, 35, 92, 95, Mock 3 Qn 1
17

ym


Controls and security over information
Corporate failure
Costs of quality
Critical success factors
Cultural differences

log
sp
o t.

Syllabus topic

66
98, Mock 1 Qn 1, Mock 2 Qn 1

Environmental factors and impact on performance
Environmental management accounting
Enterprise resource planning systems (ERPS)
EVA (Economic value added)
External environment

17, 19, 20, 21, 35, 94, Mock 3 Qn 1
85, Mock 2 Qn 4
3, 12
40, 41, 71, 101
17, 21, 35, 94

Financial performance
Five forces


35, 37, 38, 40, 53, 96-101, 106, Mock 1 Qn 1
21, 22, 35

cc

as

tud

Dimensions of performance (Fitzgerald and Moon)
Divisional performance measures

75, 76, 91, Mock 3 Qn 1
5, 36, Mock 1 Qn 3
16, 41, 76

Information for decision making
Information overload
Information systems and IT systems
Integrated Reporting

2, 4, 23, 24, Mock 1 Qn 1, Mock 1 Qn 4
32, 33, Mock 1 Qn 1
2, 11, 12, 13, 29, Mock 1 Qn 2, Mock 2 Qn 1
90

JIT
Joint ventures


47, 48
77

htt
p:/

/fr
e

ea

Gap analysis
Goal congruence
Governments, regulation and business performance

Finding questions

/>
ix


Question numbers

Kaizen costing
Key performance indicators

48, 50, 70
34, 36, 64, 92, 95, Mock 3 Qn 1

League tables

Lean information systems

6, 86, 99, Mock 3 Qn 4
25, 31, Mock 3 Qn 3

Management accounting and information systems
Mission statements

11, 13, 23, 24, Mock 1 Qn 2, Mock 2 Qn 1
34, 95

Net present value
Non-financial performance indicators

18
34, 37, 51(a), 102

Objectives
Operational planning

36, 37
Mock 1 Qn 2

Performance management in complex business
structures
Performance management information systems
Performance prism
Performance pyramid
Problems of performance measurement
Public sector organisations


77, 78

23, 25, 26, 28, 98
67, 68, 69
63, 64, 72, 73, Mock 3 Qn 2
56, 57, 86, Mock 3 Qn 2
44, 45

Qualitative information
Quality

27
42, 51, 54, 55

Residual income
Responsibility and controllability
Reward and remuneration schemes
RFID technology
Risk and uncertainty
Role of management accountants

40, 101, Mock 1 Qn 3
26, Mock 2 Qn 2
59, 60, 61, 93, 100-103, Mock 1 Qn 1
29, Mock 3 Qn 3
4, 16, 18, 94, Mock 2 Qn 1
87-89, 99

l.b


ria

ate
ym
tud

cc

as

Service organisations
Short vs long-term decision making
Six Sigma
Social obligations
Stakeholders
Strategic management accounting
Strategic planning
Supply chain management
Survival vs growth
SWOT analysis

13, 65, 66, 103
5, 36, 96
51, 52, 54, 59
20, 46
14, 15, 41, Mock 2 Qn 1
4, 12, 17
1, 2, Mock 1 Qn 4
79

37, 62, 91
1
70, 97
48
39, 42, 43, 98

Value based management
Value chain
Value for money
Virtual organisations

71
10
45
78

ea

Target costing
Total quality management (TQM)
Transfer pricing

htt
p:/

/fr
e

log
sp

o t.

Syllabus topic

x

co
m/

/>
Finding questions

/>

/>
co
m/

Helping you with your revision
BPP Learning Media –Approved Learning Partner - content

Tackling revision and the exam

log
sp
o t.

As ACCA’s Approved Learning Partner – content, BPP Learning Media gives you the opportunity to use revision
materials reviewed by ACCA’s exam team. By incorporating the exam team’s comments and suggestions regarding
syllabus coverage, the BPP Learning Media Practice and Revision Kit provides excellent, ACCA-approved support

for your revision.

You can significantly improve your chances of passing by tackling revision and the exam in the right ways. Using
feedback obtained from the ACCA exam team.
We look at the dos and don’ts of revising for, and taking, ACCA exams



We focus on Paper P5; we discuss revising the syllabus, what to do (and what not to do) in the exam, how
to approach different types of question and ways of obtaining easy marks

l.b



Selecting questions

ria

We provide signposts to help you plan your revision.
A full question index



A topic index listing all the questions that cover key topics, so that you can locate the questions that provide
practice on these topics, and see the different ways in which they might be examined

Making the most of question practice

ate




ym

At BPP Learning Media we realise that you need more than just questions and model answers to get the most from
your question practice.
Our Top tips included for certain questions provide essential advice on tackling questions, presenting
answers and the key points that answers need to include



We show you how you can pick up Easy marks on some questions, as we know that picking up all readily
available marks often can make the difference between passing and failing



We include marking guides to show you what the examiner rewards



We include comments from the examiner to show you where students struggled or performed well in the
actual exam



We refer to the 2014 BPP Study Text (for exams up to June 2015) for detailed coverage of the topics
covered in questions




In a bank at the end of this Kit we include the official ACCA answers to the June and December 2013
papers. Used in conjunction with our answers, the examiner’s answers provide an indication of all possible
points that could be made, issues that could be covered, and approaches to adopt.

/fr
e

ea

cc

as

tud



Attempting mock exams

htt
p:/

There are three mock exams that provide practice at coping with the pressures of the exam day. We strongly
recommend that you attempt them under exam conditions. Mock exam 2 is the pilot paper for exams in the current
format; Mock exam 3 is the December 2013 paper.

Revising P5

/>

xi


/>
co
m/

Revising P5
Topics to revise

log
sp
o t.

Any part of the syllabus could be tested in the compulsory Section A question. Therefore it is essential to learn the
entire syllabus to maximise your changes of passing. There are no short cuts – trying to spot topics is dangerous
and will significantly reduce the likelihood of success. As this is an advanced paper it also assumes knowledge of
topics covered in Paper F5 – Performance Management.
That said, the main capabilities in the syllabus (which is shown on ACCA’s website) take you through what the
examiner expects from you when you have completed your studies. There are six key areas for you to concentrate
on. These six areas are the syllabus areas covered in the BPP P5 Study Text.

However, whilst it is important that you work through your way through the Study Text and cover all the different
syllabus areas, it is also important to try and think how the areas might relate to each other, and how they could be
used to help managers in an organisation control and improve the performance of that organisation. Remember,
this paper is about performance management, and not simply about performance measurement.

ria

l.b


Remember to come out of the detail once you have finished a chapter and practised some questions. Take some
time to reflect on how the chapter has covered the syllabus and how it feeds back into the capabilities which you
will need to display in order to pass this paper.

Question practice

ate

You should use the Passcards and any brief notes you have to revise the syllabus, but you mustn't spend all your
revision time simply reading or making notes. Question practice is vital. Doing as many questions as you can, in
full, will help develop your ability to analyse scenarios and produce relevant discussion and recommendations.

htt
p:/

/fr
e

ea

cc

as

tud

ym

Make sure you leave enough time in your revision schedule to practise 50 mark Section A questions, as the Section

A question is compulsory in the exam. The scenarios and requirements of Section A questions are more extensive
than Section B questions, and are likely to integrate several parts of the syllabus. Therefore, practice is essential.
Also ensure that you attempt all three mock exams, under exam conditions.

xii

Revising P5

/>

/>
co
m/

Passing the P5 exam
Displaying the right qualities

log
sp
o t.

The examiner wrote an article in the technical articles section of ACCA’s website in August 2010 which outlined the
qualities students should demonstrate when answering P5 questions. The examiner’s advice focused on the six
main syllabus areas (A to F) and what qualities students should demonstrate under each. We reproduce the main
points here.

1. The application of strategic planning and control models in performance management. The models stress the
need to take an all-encompassing view of the factors that affect a business and to consider them when giving
strategic advice on performance. Good candidates at Paper P5 often distinguish themselves by being able to
synthesise disparate detailed points into an overall, strategic approach for an organisation.

2. Factors external to the business. Here candidates need to move beyond the internal factors associated with
traditional management accounting to consider the information needs of the strategic level of management as well
as the operational and tactical levels.

ria

l.b

3. The information that management require and the systems that are needed for its delivery. Candidates are
expected to be aware of the effect of information technologies on performance management decision making rather
than the detail of these technologies. They should be conversant with the broad hardware and software trends and
issues and how these interact with the provision of performance information throughout the organization.

ate

4 and 5. The fourth capability is the application of the techniques and assumed knowledge to specific scenarios.
You shouldn’t simply discuss theories and models in general terms; you need to apply them specifically to the
scenario identified in the question. The fifth capability is being able to take this information and turn it into advice
which is commercially valuable for strategic decision makers. This capability also requires the candidate to be
able to recognise and advise on situations where the organisation is in danger of failing.

ym

6. Finally, candidates are expected to be aware of new knowledge from the general technical press. The
examiner stresses that recent technical articles on ACCA’s website may be relevant to question topics included in
the exam. Equally, however, older technical articles on ACCA’s website may also be relevant.

as

tud


There will be a small number of professional marks available in the compulsory 50 mark Section A question, and it
should be possible for a well-prepared student to score most of these. For example, the effective use of appropriate
introductions and conclusions, and helpfully breaking the document into properly headed sub-sections, will help to
demonstrate a professional approach to writing a report. However, it should be stressed that the approach taken
will vary from question to question and the exam tests the candidates’ ability to apply their knowledge of
professional presentation. In order to score full professional marks, the answer will have to be tailored to the
specifics of the scenario in the question recognising the needs of the readers of the document.

cc

Presentation points. First: on rounding. At this final level, candidates should use their own judgment on how to
round figures – the basic rule is that there should be enough detail to make a useful conclusion without obscuring it
with insignificant figures.

ea

Second, short paragraphs are usually clear but single sentence paragraphs are often insufficient and unable to get
to the depth required at Paper P5. Bullet points are useful for lists but not if commentary is required. Finally,
reading model solutions is not a substitute for actually writing out your own answers.
Summarising the advice the examiner gives:


Understand the objectives of the exam as explained in the Syllabus and prepare the detailed topics in the
Study Guide
Be very comfortable with the areas tested in Paper F5 Performance Management and Paper P3 Business
Analysis

htt
p:/




/fr
e

Candidates should:

Revising P5

/>
xiii


/>Ensure that their preparation for the exam has been based on a programme of study set for the required
syllabus and exam structure



Use an ACCA-approved textbook for Paper P5. They are structured around the syllabus and ACCA’s
examining team reviews them so that they give an effective coverage of what is examinable



Practise questions under exam conditions in order to improve speed and presentation skills, ensuring these
test discursive, computational and analytic abilities



Study all the relevant technical articles that are published on ACCA’s website




Be able to clearly communicate understanding and application of knowledge in the context of a Professional
level exam

log
sp
o t.

co
m/



The questions tend to be wide-ranging, as the examiner wants to link topics and mix ideas up. So you are better
knowing something about every part of the syllabus than a lot of detail about a few areas only.

Avoiding weaknesses

l.b

Our experience of, and examiner feedback from, other higher level exams enables us to predict a number of
weaknesses that are likely to occur in many students’ answers. You will enhance your chances significantly if you ensure
you avoid these mistakes:
Failing to provide what the question verbs require (discussion, evaluation, recommendation) or to write
about the topics specified in the question requirements




Repeating the same material in different parts of answers



Stating theories and concepts rather than applying them



Quoting chunks of detail from the question that don't add any value. Whilst it is important that you relate
your answer to this scenario, this means using issues highlighted in the scenario to help answer the
question – not simply re-writing the question.



Failing to make the most of the information given in the question. Remember, you need to apply your
knowledge specifically to the scenario given in the question.



Failing to set out workings clearly and separately



Not planning and preparing the answer properly, taking into account mark allocation. Students often leave
part-questions out.



Not refreshing brought-forward knowledge (for example, from Paper F5).


as

tud

ym

ate

ria



cc

Using the reading time

ACCA permits a 15-minute reading time in addition to the 3 hour time given to answer this paper.

/fr
e

ea

We recommend that you spend the first part of the 15 minutes reading time choosing the Section B questions you
will do, on the basis of your knowledge of the syllabus areas being tested and whether you can fulfil all the question
requirements. Remember that Section B questions can cover different parts of the syllabus, and you should be
happy with all the areas that the questions you choose cover. We suggest that you should note on the paper any
ideas that come to you about these questions.

htt

p:/

However don't spend all the reading time going through and analysing the Section B question requirements in
detail; leave that until the three hours’ writing time. Instead you should be looking to spend as much of the reading
time as possible looking at the Section A scenario, as this will be longer and more complex than the Section B
scenarios and cover more of the syllabus. You should highlight and annotate the key points of the scenario on the
question paper.

xiv

Revising P5

/>

/>
co
m/

Choosing which questions to answer first

Spending most of your reading time on the Section A scenario will mean that you can get underway with planning
and writing your answer to the Section A question as soon as the three hours start. It will give you more actual
writing time during the one and a half hours you should allocate to it, and it is writing time that you'll need.
Comments from examiners of other syllabuses that have similar exam formats suggest that students appear less
time-pressured if they do the big compulsory question first.

log
sp
o t.


During the second half of the exam, you can put Section A aside and concentrate on the two Section B questions
you’ve chosen.

However, our recommendations are not inflexible. If you really think the Section A question looks a lot harder than
the Section B questions you’ve chosen, then do one of those first, but DON'T run over time on it. You must have an
hour and a half to tackle the Section A question and you will feel under much more pressure on it if you leave it till
last. If you do one of the Section B questions first, and then tackle the Section A question having had initial
thoughts on it during the reading time, you should be able to generate more ideas and find the Section A question is
not as bad as it looks.

l.b

Remember also that small overruns of time during the first half of the exam can add up to you being very short of
time towards the end.

Tackling questions
Step 1

ria

You'll improve your chances by following a step-by-step approach along the following lines.
Read the background

Read the requirements

ym

Step 2

ate


Usually the first couple of paragraphs will give some background on the company and what it is
aiming to achieve. By reading this carefully you will be better equipped to relate your answers to the
company as much as possible.

Step 3

tud

There is no point reading the detailed information in the question until you know what it is going to
be used for. Don’t panic if some of the requirements look challenging – identify the elements you are
able to do and look for links between requirements, as well as possible indications of the syllabus
areas the question is covering.
Identify the action verbs that are used in each requirement

as

These convey the level of skill you need to exhibit and also the structure your answer should have. A
lower level verb such as define will require a more descriptive answer; a higher level verb such as
evaluate will require a more applied, critical answer.

ea

cc

ACCA’s examination team has indicated that higher level requirements and verbs will be most
significant in this paper, for example critically evaluating a statement and arguing for or against a
given idea or position. Action verbs that are likely to be frequently used in this exam are listed below,
together with their intellectual levels and guidance on their meaning.
Level


Define

Give the meaning of

1

Explain

Make clear

1

Identify

Recognise or select

1

Describe

Give the key features

2

Analyse

Give reasons for the current situation or what has happened

htt

p:/

/fr
e

1

Revising P5

/>
xv


/>2

Compare and
contrast

Explain the similarities and differences between two terms,
viewpoints or concepts

3

Assess

Determine the strengths/weaknesses/importance/
significance/ability to contribute

3


Discuss

Examine in detail by using arguments for and against

3

Recommend

Advise the appropriate actions to pursue in terms the
recipient will understand

3

Evaluate

Determine the value of, in the light of the arguments for and
against

log
sp
o t.

Step 4

co
m/

Level

Identify what each part of the question requires


Think about what frameworks of theories you could choose to support your answer (if the question
doesn’t indicate a specific one you need to use).

Step 5

l.b

Look at how the different parts of a question fit together, and make sure you don’t end up repeating
the same points in more than one part of the question.
Check the mark allocation to each part

Step 6

ria

This shows you the depth anticipated and helps allocate time.
Read the whole scenario carefully, highlighting key data

Consider the consequences of the points you’ve identified

ym

Step 7

ate

Put points under headings related to requirements (eg by noting in the margin to what part of the
question the scenario detail relates).


Step 8

Write a brief plan

tud

You will often have to provide recommendations based on the information you've been given. Be
prepared to criticize the framework or model that you’ve been told to use, if required. You may have
also to bring in wider issues or viewpoints, for example the views of different stakeholders.

Write your answer

cc

Step 9

as

You may be able to do this on the question paper as often there will be at least one blank page in the
question booklet. However any plan you make should be reproduced in the answer booklet when
writing time begins. Make sure you identify all the requirements of the question in your plan – each
requirement may have sub-requirements that must also be addressed. If there are professional marks
available, highlight in your plan where these may be gained; for example, preparing a report.

htt
p:/

/fr
e


ea

Make every effort to present your answer clearly. The pilot paper and exam papers so far indicate that
the examiner will be looking for you to make a number of clear points. The best way to demonstrate
what you’re doing is to put points into separate paragraphs with clear headers.

xvi

Revising P5

/>

/>
co
m/

Discussion questions

Do not be tempted to write all you know about a particular topic in a discussion question. Markers can easily spot
when a student is ‘waffling’ and you will receive little or no credit for this approach. Keep referring back to the
question requirement to ensure you are not straying from the point.

log
sp
o t.

To make it easier for the marker to determine the relevance of the points you are making, you could explain what
you mean in one sentence and then why this point is relevant in another.

Remember that depth of discussion will be important. Always bear in mind how many marks are available for the

discussion as this will give you an indication of the depth that is required. Ask yourself the following questions as
you are tackling a discussion question:


Have I made a point in a coherent sentence?



Have I explained the point? (to answer the ‘so what’ or ‘why’ queries; and to demonstrate which the point is
important)



Have I related the point to the company in the scenario? (with material or analysis from the scenario, or
perhaps even an example from real life)

l.b

In this exam a number of requirement verbs will expect you to express a viewpoint or opinion, for example
construct an argument, criticise, evaluate. When expressing an opinion, you need to provide:

What the question wants. For instance, if you are asked to criticise something, don't spend time discussing
its advantages. In addition if a scenario provides a lot of information about a situation, and you are (say)
asked to assess that situation in the light of good practice, your assessment is unlikely to be favourable.



Evidence from theory or the scenario – again we stress that the majority of marks in most questions will be
given for applying your knowledge to the scenario.


htt
p:/

/fr
e

ea

cc

as

tud

ym

ate

ria



Revising P5

/>
xvii


/>
htt

p:/

/fr
e

ea

cc

as

tud

ym

ate

ria

l.b

log
sp
o t.

co
m/

Exam formulae


xviii

Revising P5

/>

htt
p:/

/fr
e

ea

cc

as

tud

ym

ate

ria

l.b

log
sp

o t.

co
m/

/>
Revising P5

/>
xix


/>
co
m/

Exam information
The exam paper

log
sp
o t.

Format of the paper
The current format of the P5 exam was introduced in June 2013. It is:
Section A:
Section B:

Number of
marks

50
50
100

1 compulsory case study
Choice of 2 from 3 questions (25 marks each)

Time: 3 hours plus 15 minutes reading time

l.b

Note. Although the format of the exams changed from June 2013, the underlying syllabus content and the way in
which subjects are examined has not changed. The changes only relate to the number of questions in the exam,
and the mark allocations for each question.

ria

Section A will be a compulsory case study question, typically with four or five sub-requirements relating to the
same scenario information. The question will usually assess and link a range of subject areas from across the
syllabus. It will require students to demonstrate high-level capabilities to understand the complexities of the case,
and evaluate, relate and apply the information in the case study to the requirements.

ate

Professional marks will be available in Section A for presentation, logical flow of argument and quality of argument.
Section B questions are more likely to assess a range of discrete subject areas from the main syllabus section
headings; they may require evaluation and synthesis of information contained within short scenarios and
application of this information to the question requirements.

Additional information


tud

The pass mark for Paper P5 is 50%.

ym

Although one subject area is likely to be emphasised in each Section B question, students should not assume that
questions will be solely about content from that area. Each question will be based on a short case scenario to
contextualise the question.

as

The Study Guide provides more detailed guidance on the syllabus.

Exams prior to 2013

cc

Questions and answers for exams prior to 2013 are available on ACCA’s website:

ea

/>
htt
p:/

/fr
e


Please note, these questions reflect of the format of the exam prior to 2013. In the main body of this Kit, where we
have used past exam questions, we have adapted them to fit the format of the exam from June 2013.

xx

Revising P5

/>

Analysis of past papers

co
m/

/>The table below provides details of when each element of the syllabus has been examined and whether it was
examined as part of a compulsory question (‘C’) or an optional one (‘O’). Please note that up to, and including,
December 2012 the exam contained two compulsory questions, whereas exams from 2013 only contain one
compulsory question.
Dec
2013

June
2013

Dec
2012

June
2012


STRATEGIC PLANNING AND CONTROL
1

Introduction to strategic management
accounting

2

Performance management and control of the
organisation

3

Business structure, IT developments and
other environmental and ethical issues

Dec
2011

June
2011

O

C
C

5, 6

PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT SYSTEMS

AND DESIGN

0

O

STRATEGIC PERFORMANCE MEASUREMENT
C

8

Scope of strategic performance measures in
the private sector

9

Divisional performance and transfer pricing
issues

10a

Scope of strategic performance measures in
not-for-profit organisations

10b

Non-financial performance indicators

11


The role of quality in management
information and performance measurement
systems

12

Performance measurement: strategy, reward
and behaviour

ate

Performance hierarchy

C, O

tud

as

C

C
O, O

O

C

C


C
C

0

ym

7

C
C

l.b

C

ria

Changing business environment and external
factors

June
2010

C, C

EXTERNAL INFLUENCES ON
ORGANISATIONAL PERFORMANCE
4


Dec
2010

log
sp
o t.

Covered
in Text
chapter

C

O

C

O,O
C,O

O
0

0

C
O

C


O

O

O,O

C

C, O

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION AND
CORPORATE FAILURE
Alternative views of performance
measurement and management

14

Strategic performance issues in complex
business structures

15

Predicting and preventing corporate failure

0

C, 0

C
O


ea

cc

13

C,O

O,O

O

O

O

/fr
e

CURRENT DEVELOPMENTS AND EMERGING
ISSUES IN PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT

Current developments, issues and trends

0

O

O


htt
p:/

16

Revising P5

/>
xxi


/>
co
m/

IMPORTANT!

htt
p:/

/fr
e

ea

cc

as


tud

ym

ate

ria

l.b

log
sp
o t.

The table on the previous page gives a broad idea of how frequently major topics in the syllabus are examined. It
should not be used to question spot and predict for example that a certain topic will not be examined because it
has been examined in the last two sittings. Examiners are well aware that some students try to question spot, and
so they try to avoid predictable patterns. Consequently, a topic could well be examined in a number of consecutive
sittings. Equally, just because a topic has not been examined for a long time, does not necessarily mean it will be
examined in the next exam!

xxii

Revising P5

/>

Useful websites
The websites below provide additional sources of information of relevance to your studies for Advanced
Performance Management.



www.accaglobal.com



log
sp
o t.

ACCA's website. The students' section of the website is invaluable for detailed information about the
qualification, technical articles, and a free downloadable Student Planner App.

co
m/

/>
www.bpp.com

Our website provides information about BPP products and services, with a link to the ACCA website.


www.ft.com

This website provides information about current international business. You can search for information and
articles on specific industry groups as well as individual companies.


www.economist.com




www.cfo.com



ria

This site provides useful news and insights for financial executives.

l.b

Here you can search for business information on a week-by-week basis, search articles by business subject
and use the resources of the Economist Intelligence Unit to research sectors, companies or countries.



htt
p:/

/fr
e

ea

cc

as

tud


ym

ate

This site carries business news and articles on markets from Investment Week and International Investment.

Revising P5

/>
xxiii


htt
p:/

/fr
e

ea

cc

as

tud

ym

ate


ria

l.b

log
sp
o t.

co
m/

/>
xxiv

Revising P5

/>