ACCOUNTING
SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE, AND UNDERSTANDING
Higher
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using a variety of cost accounting techniques to facilitate decisionmaking in both manufacturing and service related organisations
recording, presenting and interpreting complex accounting
information to determine business profits and costs
using ICT to produce and communicate accounting information in
a range of contexts
analysing and evaluating a range of accounting procedures which
may be used within cost and management accounting
analysing complex financial and management accounting
information, including drawing conclusions and suggesting
solutions where appropriate
calculating and interpreting an extensive range of accounting
ratios
knowledge and understanding of the accounting theory covering
partnerships and public limited companies
applying and relating the knowledge and understanding of
fundamental accounting concepts and theories to a range of
accounting layouts
Advanced Higher
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applying knowledge of the accounting regulatory framework
applying knowledge of the regulatory framework to produce and
analyse income statements, balance sheets and cash flow
statements (with associated disclosure notes) for external
publication
producing consolidated accounting information for multiple
company entities
demonstrating knowledge and understanding of the accountant’s
role in meeting organisational goals, including profit
maximisation and social responsibility
using management accounting information to produce a range of
budgets to aid internal planning
applying a wide range of complex cost accounting techniques to
help control business performance
producing management accounting information to facilitate
business decision making
using ICT to produce and communicate accounting information in
a range of familiar and unfamiliar contexts
COURSE STRUCTURE
Higher
Course Structure: 3 Units and Course Assessment
Preparing Financial Accounting Information
Preparing Management Accounting Information
Analysing Accounting Information
Advanced Higher
Course Structure: 2 Units and Course Assessment
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Financial Accounting
Management Accounting
COURSE ASSESSMENT
Higher
Advanced Higher
Course Assessment:
Component 1 – question paper (100 marks)
Component 2 – assignment (50 marks)
Course Assessment:
Component 1 – question paper (140 marks)
Component 2 – project (60 marks)
Question Paper
Question Paper
The question paper has two Sections.
The question paper has two Sections.
Section 1 will have 40 marks and will consist of one mandatory
question.
Section 2 will have 60 marks and will consist of three mandatory
questions.
Questions from each section will be sampled from the mandatory
Course coverage and will ensure there is no duplication of content
and that there is a balanced coverage across the Units.
Section 1 (120 marks) will consist of mandatory questions sampled
from a full range of mandatory Course coverage.
The question paper will be set and marked by SQA and conducted in
centres under conditions specified for external examinations by SQA.
Learners will complete this in two hours.
The question paper will be set and marked by SQA and conducted in
centres under conditions specified for external examinations by SQA.
Learners will complete this in 2 hours and 30 minutes.
Project
Assignment
The assignment will require learners to demonstrate skills of
research, analysis, decision making, use of ICT in an accounting
context and application of knowledge and understanding by:
 researching and selecting appropriate data
 making appropriate use of spreadsheets and word processing
to complete the assignment
 completing calculations with accuracy
 comparing and analysing a range of accounting information
 making decisions based on the analysis
 preparing a report outlining reasons for the decisions taken
The assignment is set by SQA on an annual basis and conducted under
some supervision and control. Evidence will be submitted to SQA for
external marking.
Section 2 (20 marks) will have two optional questions sampled from a
full range of mandatory Course coverage.
Assessment of underpinning accounting knowledge and
understanding will permeate the question paper.
The purpose of this project is to allow learners to demonstrate
challenge and application. The project will provide learners with an
opportunity to investigate and report on a UK-based public limited
company, and the disclosure of accounting information, using
knowledge of the accounting regulatory framework.
The project will require learners to demonstrate skills of research,
analysis, report writing and application of knowledge and
understanding.
The project is set by SQA and conducted under some supervision and
control. Evidence will be submitted to SQA for external marking.