EXAM BOARD

AQA

THE ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT AT WYKE SIXTH FORM COLLEGE

A number of students accompany Accounts with one or both of Business and Economics. Accounts has two specialist classrooms equipped with interactive whiteboards. The course will develop your Maths, English and Business skills. These are essential and are tested throughout the course and in the final exams. You will be supported in your studies by specialist accounting staff who have many years of teaching experience between them.

COURSE DETAIL

The course will focus on both financial and management accounting and will therefore offer a relevant pathway into both Chartered and Certified Accounting. The course has been developed in conjunction with both CIMA and ICAEW and therefore links with accounting qualifications post college including:

• • • • • The role of the accountant in an organisation
        • Double entry
        • Verification of accounting records
        • Understanding and application of accounting concepts
        • Preparation of final accounts for sole traders, partnerships and limited companies
        • Investment appraisal
        • Standard costing– comparison and evaluation of budgeted and actual figures
        • Marginal Costing
        • Accounting for organisations with incomplete records
        • Budgeting
        • The impact of ethical considerations

Although the course is numerical, there will be a requirement to explain the reasoning and possible impacts on an organisation behind the calculations. Therefore an ability to write essays and construct arguments has become increasingly important.

ASSESSMENT

PAPER 1

Written exam: 3 hours, worth 120 marks (50% of A-level)
Three compulsory sections:
Section A: 10 multiple choice questions and several short answer questions. The section is worth 30 marks.
Section B: 2 structured questions each worth 20 marks. The section is worth 40 marks.
Section C: 2 extended answer questions each worth 25 marks. The section is worth 50 marks.

PAPER 2

Written exam: 3 hours, worth 120 marks (50% of A-level)
Three compulsory sections:
Section A: 10 multiple choice questions and several short answer questions (30 marks).
Section B: 2 structured questions each worth 20 marks (40 marks in total).
Section C: 2 extended answer questions each worth 25 marks (50 marks in total).

HOW THE COURSE IS DELIVERED

The A Level course is delivered over 2 academic years. Students will receive 4 hours 40 minutes of lessons per week, although they are also expected to complete work independently outside of lessons. Each group is taught by one teacher and the focus within lessons will be very much upon applying the concepts taught within the classroom to accounting based problems. This will be backed up by thorough and regular classroom based assessment.

DEPARTMENTAL ENRICHMENT

The department aims to support students in arranging relevant work experience, either with national or local firms. Students will be supported in their application for accountancy training programmes and applications to University.Guest speakers will visit the college to offer advice to students on the available pathways into the profession. An overseas trip to New York is offered specialising in Accounts, Business and Economics. The trip will focus on the financial, economic and legal structures that make up the bustling city.

NEXT-STEPS

Many students who take accounting go on to University and become qualified accountants, working for accounting practices or within an organisation. Other students may choose to enter the accountancy profession through the ‘apprenticeship’ route. Your financial acumen can support a wide number of other careers. For example, you could work in local government, general management, retail or banking. Even the Chief Executive of Manchester United F.C is a qualified accountant. With accounting skills you could end up working in just about any area you choose.