DipIFR
An ACCA qualification for finance professionals
If you are a finance professional who is not already knowledgeable about the details of
International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), this qualification has a fast and efficient
solution to meet your needs. You need to develop a working knowledge of the area, and the
DipIFR will make this happen.
Over 113 countries require or permit the use of International Financial Reporting Standards
(IFRS) for publicly-traded companies. All listed companies in the European Union (EU) have
to prepare consolidated company accounts that comply with IFRS. It also affects associates
and subsidiaries of EU-listed companies.
Other countries such as Australia, Hong Kong and South Africa have already adopted IFRS
or equivalents as their local Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). And many
other countries around the world are moving towards applying IFRS, which is having a
significant impact on financial reporting.
Course objectives
The course is designed to develop your knowledge and understanding of International
Financial Reporting Standards. You will also learn how to apply them, as well as the
concepts and principles which underpin them.
On completion of the Diploma candidates should be able to:
understand and explain the structure of the framework of international accounting
apply relevant financial reporting standards to key elements of financial reports
identify and apply disclosure requirements for companies in financial reports and
notes
prepare group financial statements (excluding group cash-flow statements) including
subsidiaries, associates and joint ventures.
If you are a professional accountant or auditor who works in practice or business, and are
qualified according to national accounting standards, then you are eligible to take this ACCA
financial reporting qualification.
If you are working in practice, but not yet qualified, then you may still be eligible. You will
need to prove that you have one of the following:
three years' relevant accounting experience (by submitting a letter from your
employer)
a relevant degree plus two years' work experience
an ACCA Certificate in International Financial Reporting plus two years' work
experience.
The Diploma in International Financial Reporting (DipIFR) can be studied online to fit your
studies around your work and social commitments. The diploma can be completed in three to
six months.
DipIFR is assessed by a three-hour written exam held twice a year. The pass mark for this is
50 per cent. You can apply online at any time to start studying DipIFR.
DipIFR is supported by study materials from ACCA's platinum Approved Learning Partner
for content, BPP Learning Media. Study materials from ACCA's Approved Learning Partners
at gold status are also available. To find a list of these partners, visit ACCA's Content
Provider Directory in the related links list on the left-hand side of the page.
A number of ACCA Approved Learning Partners also offer tuition for DipIFR. Please visit
our tuition provider directory to find a tuition provider by following the link in the left-hand
side of the page.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
If you are an ACCA member, studying for another qualification can count towards your
Continuing Professional Development (CPD). ACCA’s CPD policy states that one hour of
learning is equivalent to one unit. Learning is verifiable if it is relevant to your career, you
can demonstrate how you have applied the learning and you can prove that the learning took
place (copies of course materials, notes from learning, contact details of a third party who can
substantiate completion of the activity, certificate showing the course/assessment was
completed etc).
Also, if you are achieving your CPD via the unit route, studying this diploma may fully meet
your 40 unit CPD requirement for one year; in this case you can also carry forward up to 21
verifiable units to the following CPD year.
Exams
The Diploma in International Financial Reporting (DipIFR) is assessed by a single three-hour
written exam. You will need to achieve a 50 per cent mark or above to complete the paper.
The exam is held twice a year - in June and December at ACCA's exam centres. Please see
below for the exam dates:
11 June 2013
10 December 2013
There are two sections to the paper which requires a mix of calculations and written answers.
The assessment marks are split as follows:
Marks
Section A One 'groups' question
40
Section B Three scenario questions 60
(20 marks each)
100
We have over 400 exam centres around the world. To find an exam centre near you please
visit the exam centres database.
Special centres
It is possible to arrange exams at centres other than those listed in the exam centre database.
These are called special centres. Requests for sitting exams at special centres should be sent
in writing, together with your application form and supporting documentation by the
following dates:
8 March for the June exams
8 September for the December exams
If you wish to sit your exams at a special centre then you should ensure that ACCA receives
your application and supporting documentation by the above closing dates. Remember to
allow time for postal delivery.
The Syllabus
Please refer to the study guide and examinable documents to find out details about the
syllabus. They can be downloaded from the bottom of this page.
Examinable documents
A list of examinable documents for the Diploma in International Financial Reporting
(DipIFR) is issued by ACCA once a year. The current list of examinable documents is
available below.
You will need to have knowledge of new examinable regulations issued by 30 September
each year, as you will be examined on them the following calendar year*. You may still be
examined on these documents even if the effective date is in the future.
The study guide details the depth and level at which you will be examined on these
documents. Download the study guide from the Related documents section at the bottom of
the page.
*For example, June 2011 and December 2011 will be based on examinable regulation issued
by 30 September 2010.
Past exam papers
Questions and answers for recent Diploma in International Financial Reporting (DipIFR)
exam sessions are listed below. As these papers were used in the past, they should only be
used as a guide to exam content.
Examiners' reports
These reports contain constructive feedback on the performance of candidates in past
Diploma in International Financial Reporting (DipIFR) exams. They provide general
commentary on each session, as well as details on:
technical aspects that were being examined in the questions
whether candidates performed well or poorly
what parts of the questions caused difficulty
and, if possible, what caused problems eg lack of knowledge, poor examination
technique etc.
Examiners' approach
This article details the examiners' approach to marking the exam. It provides helpful insight
into how you should answer the questions and what will be asked in the papers.
Technical articles
Paper P2 of the ACCA Qualification covers International Financial Reporting Standards
(IFRS), so most technical articles for P2 are relevant to the Diploma in International
Financial Reporting (DipIFR).
Reading these articles will provide you with a broader understanding of the Diploma's
syllabus areas and exam approach.
The only technical articles which are not relevant to DipIFR are those relating to the
following:
syllabus updates for P2
complex groups
foreign subsidiaries
group reorganisations.
View these technical articles by clicking on the Technical articles link in the Related links list
on the left-hand side of the page.
Important dates
You can apply for the Diploma in International Financial Reporting (DipIFR) at any time, but
if you want to sit exams at a specific exam session, we will need to receive your registration
form and copies of all your supporting documents at least 20 days before for postal
applications and 10 days before for online applications. the following closing dates:
8 April for the June exam session
8 October for the December exam session
FEES
Your initial registration fee includes one exam attempt. A further fee is charged for any resit.
The initial registration fee for December 2013 is £195 and includes one exam attempt, the
same fee in June 2014 is £205.
Re-sits are charged at the same price as the initial registration fee above.
You can apply for the Diploma in International Financial Reporting (DipIFR) at any time,
but if you want to sit exams at a specific exam session, we will need to receive your
registration form and copies of all your supporting documents at least 20 days before for
postal applications and 10 days before for online applications. the following closing dates:
8 April for the June exam session
8 October for the December exam session
If you wish to request a change to exam sessions and centres, you will need to do this online
and by above-mentioned dates.
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