This unit is about collecting, analysing and interpreting information of help to managers in controlling costs and improving the performance of operations. There are two elements.

The first element focuses on the identification and analysis of costs that may be of help to managers. You will have to monitor and analyse costs against trends, standards and organisational needs, and explain any difference between actual and planned or expected costs. In addition, you will have to demonstrate your understanding of forecasting techniques as an aid to cost analysis and control.

The second element is concerned with monitoring the performance of an organisation or parts of an organisation and making recommendations that will enhance the organisation's value. In this element you have to identify and calculate performance indicators, monitor the performance of part or all of the organisation and make proposals that will enhance the value of the organisation.

You will have to obtain information from a variety of internal and external sources and monitor costs, performance indicators and movements in prices over an appropriate timescale. You will also be required to use the information to prepare and present management reports. As well as being familiar with manually developing information, you will also need to know how computer spreadsheets can assist you in preparing cost and performance information.

This unit focuses on the planning and control of resources in an organisation. There are three elements.

In the first element, you have to develop forecasts of demand, turnover, resources to be consumed and their cost.

The second element requires you to use forecasts to prepare draft budgets for income and expenditure. This may involve you changing your initial budget to take account of revised information about factors that limit the operations of the organisation.

The final element relates to part of the control function in organisations. You will be required to compare the actual performance of all or part of an organisation against what was planned to happen and advise managers of possible reasons for any difference.

You will need to ensure all relevant data has been included in your budgets and that all relevant staff have been consulted. In addition, you will need to ensure that transactions have been accurately recorded and appropriate accounting methods have been used for both the planning and monitoring of budgets. As well as being familiar with manually developing forecasts and budgets, you will also need to know how computer spreadsheets can help you in their development.

This unit is about your role as a manager in the accounting environment, whether you are a line manager or are managing a particular function or project.

The first element requires you to show that you coordinate work activities effectively within the accounting environment. This includes setting realistic objectives, targets and deadlines and managing people in such a way that these can be met. You also need to show that you prepare contingency plans to cover a variety of problems that can reduce the likelihood of meeting objectives, targets and deadlines.

The second element is about identifying weaknesses in an accounting system and making recommendations to rectify these. This involves identifying potential for misuse of a system, whether this is accidental (errors) or deliberate (fraud). You are also required to update the system, for example to comply with legislative requirements, and to check the output is correct after the system has been updated.

This unit is delivered on a one to one tutorial basis, and to be completed by early April.

This unit is concerned with competence in drafting and interpreting the financial statements of limited companies. Students will have attained competence at levels 2 and 3 in the process of identifying and recording financial transactions in accounts and ledgers following the principles of double-entry bookkeeping. They will also be able to draft the financial statements of sole traders and partnerships. Students will thus have some experience in measuring assets and liabilities at level 3. Unit 11 builds upon these competences and concentrates on the function of drafting financial statements of limited companies from the records and accounts prepared. It ensures that students understand what information is required to be provided, how it is to be presented to users of the financial statements and how the rules and principles established in financial reporting standards apply to the process of drafting financial statements. The unit also ensures that students grasp the reasons why financial statements are prepared and communicated so that their significance is understood. They need to understand who these users are and what use they make of this information. The unit also requires the student to grasp the techniques applied to financial statements that are used to assess the financial performance and the financial position of an entity.

This unit is about preparing tax computations for businesses and completing the relevant tax returns. There are four elements.

The first element requires you to prepare capital allowances computations, including adjustments for private use by the owners of a business.

In the second element you must prepare and assemble business income computations for the partnerships and self-employed individuals. This includes identifying the National Insurance Contributions payable.

The third element is concerned with preparing capital gains tax computations for companies and unincorporated businesses.

The final element requires you to prepare Corporation Tax computations for UK resident companies.

Throughout the unit you must make sure that you take account of current tax law and Inland Revenue practice and make submissions within statutory timescales. You also need to show that you consult with the Inland Revenue in an open and constructive manner, give timely and constructive advice to business clients and maintain client confidentiality.

This unit is about preparing tax computations and returns for individuals. It is concerned with the income tax and capital gains tax liability of employed individuals, and also of self employed individuals excluding any calculation of their business income. There are four elements in this unit:

The first element requires you to calculate income from employment, including the amount of taxable benefits.

In the second element you must calculate property and investment income and show that you can apply deductions and reliefs and claim loss set-offs.

The third element is concerned with preparing Income Tax computations, based on your calculations of the client's earned and unearned income.

The final element requires you to prepare capital gains tax computations. As well as calculating chargeable gains and losses, you need to show that you apply reliefs and exemptions correctly.

Throughout the unit you must show that you take account of current tax law and Inland Revenue practice and make submissions within statutory time scales. You also need to show that you consult with the Revenue in an open and constructive manner, give timely and constructive advice to clients and maintain client confidentiality.