Edexcel A Level Accounting Tutors Online

Edexcel A Level Accounting is the Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level in Accounting, code YAC11. First teaching was September 2015 and first certification was August 2017. This page works from Issue 2, dated September 2018.

It is worth being clear about the qualification family, because there is no advanced GCE in Accounting in this Pearson series. The A Level is the International Advanced Level, and its first half is a discrete qualification in its own right, the Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Subsidiary in Accounting, code XAC11. The IAS consists of one externally examined unit, Unit 1, and may be awarded on its own or may contribute 50 per cent towards the International Advanced Level.

The International Advanced Level consists of two externally examined units: the IAS unit, Unit 1, plus one IA2 unit, Unit 2. A student wishing to take the International Advanced Level must therefore complete all two units.

The structure allows a school to construct the course of study either as a linear course assessed in its entirety at the end, or as distinct modules of teaching and learning with the related units taken at appropriate stages during the course. So the qualification can be taught and examined in whichever pattern suits the centre.

Unit 1 is The Accounting System and Costing, code WAC11/01. It is externally assessed, worth 100% of the total IAS and 50% of the total IAL, and it is a written examination of 3 hours carrying 200 marks. Its first assessment was June 2016, and it is available in January, June and October.

The Unit 1 content is divided into six topics: Principles of accounting and double entry bookkeeping, Control procedures, Financial statements of organisations, Introduction to costing, Analysis of accounting statements, and Social and ethical accounting.

Unit 2 is Corporate and Management Accounting, code WAC12/01. It is externally assessed, worth 100% of the total IA2 and 50% of the total IAL, and it is a written examination of 3 hours carrying 200 marks. Its first assessment was June 2017, and it is available in January, June and October.

The Unit 2 content is divided into nine topics: Limited companies, Investment ratios, Statement of cash flows, Budgeting, Standard costing, Project appraisal, Break-even analysis, Marginal costing and absorption costing, and Information and communication technology in accounting.

Both papers have the same two section structure, and it includes real choice. The paper is split into two sections. In Section A students complete two compulsory 55 mark, multi-part questions based on given data. In Section B students complete three optional 30 mark, multi-part questions from a choice of four. A resource booklet accompanies the examination paper.

The marks add up exactly, and it is worth doing the arithmetic because it shows the weight of each section. Two questions of 55 marks make 110 marks in Section A, which is compulsory. Three questions of 30 marks make 90 marks in Section B, where there is a choice. Together those come to 200 marks, which is the paper total.

That split has a practical consequence. Section A is 110 of the 200 marks and cannot be avoided, so it is well over half the paper. Section B is where the choice sits, and choosing the right three of the four is a decision made under time pressure rather than a safety net.

Calculators may be used in the examinations, with the rules set out in Appendix 9.

The assessment objectives are four, and applying accounting procedures dominates. AO1, demonstrate knowledge of accounting procedures and techniques and an understanding of the principles and concepts upon which they are based, is 27 to 28 per cent for the International Advanced Level. AO2, select and apply knowledge and understanding of accounting procedures, techniques, concepts and principles to a variety of accounting situations and present accounting information in an appropriate format, is 42 to 43 per cent. AO3, analyse financial information, interpret financial data and information and communicate reasoning showing understanding, is 20 to 21 per cent. AO4, evaluate financial and non-financial evidence and make informed recommendations and decisions, is 10 per cent.

Applying and presenting is by far the largest objective, worth more than all the others combined. Evaluation is the smallest at 10 per cent. That is a different balance from most essay based subjects: the marks are won by doing the accounting correctly and presenting it properly, not by writing at length about it.

The per unit tables show how the two units differ. For the International Advanced Level, Unit 1 is 15 per cent AO1, 21 to 22 per cent AO2, 8 to 9 per cent AO3 and 4 to 5 per cent AO4. Unit 2 is 12 to 13 per cent AO1, 20 to 21 per cent AO2, 11 to 12 per cent AO3 and 5 to 6 per cent AO4. So Unit 2 carries slightly more analysis and a little less recall, which fits a unit built around corporate accounting and decision techniques.

Both units are available in January, June and October. From June 2017 all two units are assessed in January, June and October for the lifetime of the qualifications, and from the same point both the International Advanced Level and the International Advanced Subsidiary are awarded in January, June and October.

The International Advanced Subsidiary in Accounting is graded on a five grade scale from A to E, and the International Advanced Level is graded on a six point scale from A* to E. Individual unit results are reported. Only Unit 1 contributes to the International Advanced Subsidiary grade, and both units contribute to the International Advanced Level grade. The first certification opportunity was August 2016 for the IAS and August 2017 for the IAL.

On codes: the unit codes are WAC11/01 for Unit 1 and WAC12/01 for Unit 2. The cash in codes are XAC11 for the International Advanced Subsidiary and YAC11 for the International Advanced Level. No qualification number and no discount code are printed in this specification. Appendix 1 lists only unit codes, cash in codes and entry codes.