CIMA–Gateway Section A (F2) –Self Study Guide
Session Component Learning Outcomes
(duration)
1
(Wk 1
2 hours)
“Introduction to Gateway”
Study Guidance/Tips
CIMA Technical
Articles
Familiarising yourself with the syllabus and what the
exam is all about.
Gateway paper is split into Section A (75 marks) and
Section B (25 marks).
Review the operational
level syllabus (P1, E1,
and F1) to ensure there
are no knowledge
gaps.
Section A consists of 3 main syllabus areas from the
management level papers (P2, E2, F2):
Minor updates for F2
for May 2013 exams
P2- Cost Planning and analysis for competitive
advantage (25%)
E2- Project management (25%)
F2- Group financial statements (25%)
FAQ’s about Gateway
for MBA/ Master’s in
Accounting students
Section B consists of the remaining syllabus areas
from management level papers not covered in Section
A. (25%)
FAQ’s about Gateway
for management
accountant route
FAQ’s for professional
gateway route
F2 A guide for students
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CIMA–Gateway Section A (F2) –Self Study Guide
SECTION A: Group Financial Statements- Recommended study time-47 hours over 5-6 weeks
Session Component Learning Outcomes
(duration)
2
(Wk 1
5 hours)
Working on the identified knowledge
gaps.
Note: It is important to develop a
thorough understanding of financial
statements and starting it from a simpler
level will allow you to progress more
smoothly and effectively. The questions
and the skill level in this particular
session will not be tested in the exam
they are solely to lay a strong foundation
of pre-requisites.
Exam questions from Gateway papers:
Study Guidance/Tips
1. F2 starts with the complex group financial
statements, for those of you who are coming
from a non accountancy/finance back ground, it
is of huge importance.
2. Develop your understanding of what group
financial statements look like and how to
consolidate these statements.
3. Once learnt, test your understanding by
attempting the following questions from the past
paper questions.
CIMA Technical
Articles
Consolidated
statement of Financial
Position
Consolidated Income
statement
Consolidated Financial
statements
Exam questions from F1 Financial Operations:
May-10 Q4
Nov -10 Q4
Nov-11 Q4
March-12 Q4
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CIMA–Gateway Section A (F2) –Self Study Guide
Session Component Learning Outcomes Study Guidance/Tips
(duration)
3
(Wk 2
11 hours)
1(a) Prepare a complete set of
consolidated financial statements in a
form suitable for publication for a group of
companies
CS.com Chapters 2-7, 10, 11
1. Important Note: students will have to come back
to this learning outcome once they have covered
the preceding learning outcomes. This is
because this learning outcome tests the skills at
various levels, for example, you will need to be
able to demonstrate the impact on group
financial statements of any acquisitions/JVs or
disposals (including shares from its subsidiaries)
which the company makes during the year.
2. Identify the fundamentals
Control provisions for unrealised profit on the
transfer of inventory and noncurrent assets
(including the differences between associates
and subsidiaries).
Correction and cancellation of intra-group
balances.
Fair value adjustments to subsidiaries net assets
at the date of acquisition.
Goodwill calculations (consideration and the
calculation of net assets at the date of
acquisition).
NCI calculation (NCI % of net assets at the yearend).
CIMA Technical
Articles
Principles of Group
Accounting
Group structure
Cash flow statements
TOP TIP: Practice, Practice and Practice. Show your
workings clearly.
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CIMA–Gateway Section A (F2) –Self Study Guide
Session Component Learning Outcomes Study Guidance/Tips
(duration)
CIMA Technical
Articles
1(a) Exam questions from Gateway papers:
1(a) Exam questions from F2 Financial Management papers:
May-12- Q3
4
(Wk 3 & 4
22 hours)
May-10 Q6 Nov-10 Q6 May-11 Q6 Nov-11 Q6
1. Understand how to establish adjusted group
structures where the organisation undergoes
any changes.
2. Understand the fundamental changes when
an associate becomes a subsidiary.
3. Understand the fundamental changes when a
subsidiary becomes an associate.
4. Understand the fundamental impact when a
subsidiary is acquired in stages.
5. Understand the fundamental impact when the
value of good will is impaired.
6. Intra group trading.
1(b)Demonstrate the impact on group
financial statements where: there is a
minority interest; the interest in a
subsidiary or associate is acquired or
disposed of part way through an
accounting period; shareholdings, or
control, are acquired in stages; intragroup trading and other transactions
occur; the value of goodwill is impaired
Note: this learning outcome is the heart
and soul of Group financial statements.
CS.com Chapters 2,6,7,8
Tackling the step
acquisitions
Complex groups
featuring subsubsidiaries
Changes to group
structure
TOP TIP: Take each of the above mentioned
circumstances in turn and practice their impact on the
financial statements.
Dealing in turn with each of them will help you develop
a thorough understanding and comprehension of each
topic.
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CIMA–Gateway Section A (F2) –Self Study Guide
Session Component Learning Outcomes Study Guidance/Tips
(duration)
CIMA Technical
Articles
1(b) Exam questions from Gateway papers:
1(b) Exam questions from F2 Financial Management papers:
Nov-11 Q3
5
(Wk 5
3 hours)
May-10 Q1 Q2 Q4
Nov-10 Q3
Nov-11 Q1
1. The accounting treatment for joint ventures.
Nov-12 Q3
1(c) Apply the concept of a joint venture
and how various types are accounted for.
CS.com Chapters 2,9
1(c) Exam questions from Gateway papers:
May-11 Q3a
6
2(a) Explain the principles of accounting
(Wk 5
for a capital reconstruction scheme or a
1 hour)
demerger.
7
(Wk 5
4 hours)
CS.com Chapters 12
2(b) Explain foreign currency translation
principles, including the difference
between the closing rate/net investment
method and the historical rate method.
CS.com Chapters 13
1(c) Exam questions from F2 Financial Management papers:
Nov-11 Q1
1. Accounting for reorganisation and capital
restructure schemes.
Note: develop understanding according to the
verb hierarchy.
1. Develop your understanding of IAS21 in
accordance with the learning outcome.
2. Understand the difference between the working
capital and fixed capital foreign translation.
TOP TIP: Memorise the exact principles whilst
developing their understanding; later test your
understanding by practicing the questions in CIMA`s
official texts.
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CIMA–Gateway Section A (F2) –Self Study Guide
Session Component Learning Outcomes Study Guidance/Tips
(duration)
2(b) Exam questions from Gateway papers:
CIMA Technical
Articles
2(b) Exam questions from F2 Financial Management papers:
May-11 Q6 Nov-11 Q6
7
(Wk 5
1 hour)
2(c) Explain the correct treatment for
foreign loans financing foreign equity
investments.
CS.com Chapters 13
1. Develop the understanding for initial recognition
of transaction, settled transaction and unsettled
transaction.
TOP TIP: You own a company that acquired loan in $
what happens if dollar strengthen or weakens against
your operational currency?
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CIMA–Gateway Section A (F2) –Self Study Guide
Revision Day:
1. Attempt at least two mock papers to timed conditions before the exam including reading time of 20 minutes
(Total 3 hrs and 20 minutes to complete). Review the examiners answers and post exam guides after you
have finished the mock exam.
Nov-12 exam
Examiners answers Post exam guide
May-12 exam
Examiners answers Post exam guide
Sitting the Gateway
exam-great video
presentation by past
examiner David Harris
Study tips from tutors
and students
Maths skills
Business English
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CIMA–Gateway Section A (F2) –Self Study Guide
OTHER STUDY RESOURCES:
Find all examiners suggested answers here
Post exam guides
CIMA Publishing
Velocity-Student e-magazine Financial Management magazine
Chat to other students on CIMAsphere-discussion boards for gateway masters and professional gateway
Please note that the session duration time given for each area is a rough guide based on % of Gateway paper syllabus weightings.
Research has shown that students who study at minimum of 11 hours per week are more likely to pass. These timings must be taken into
account with other personal commitments such as work, family time, recreation etc.
Obviously the more hours students can dedicate to studying the higher their chance of success.
Please use this as guidance rather than as an exact science of how to study, and please feel free to change it to suit your requirements.
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