Introduction

The ACCA Certificate in Data Analytics (CertDA) is aimed at business professionals who wish to develop their understanding of data, and the skills and techniques available for data analytics. Using real practical business examples, learners are able to develop an understanding of how data analytics and data modelling can be used to garner business insights.

Many of the data tools introduced in the certificate are widely and freely available, such as spreadsheet or database software. Learners will also be introduced to popular statistical and programming tools such as SQL, R and Python, as well as an introduction to artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Learning outcomes

The CertDA will teach learners:

• how to use commercial awareness to articulate business questions
• identify and manipulate relevant data and deeply analyse it by applying appropriate techniques.
• how findings from analysis can and should be visualised and communicated, enabling relevant stakeholders to make sound business decisions
• learn and understand ethical security issues around data analytics.

We offer a range of ACCA courses on International Financial Reporting, including the Certificate in International Financial Reporting.

This financial reporting course offers a broad introduction to the field of International Financial Reporting and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). It traces the history of the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) from its early roots through to recent changes and updates and future developments.

The qualification is structured in an accessible and user-friendly way that underlines key information and provides useful summaries. It examines and breaks down specific standards topic-by-topic. There are case studies, which are based on real-life examples, and many exercises, multiple-choice questions and sample answers for you to test your knowledge as you progress through the course.

Course Objectives

• to help you understand how International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) are used around the world
• to explain how the International Financial Reporting Standards Foundation (IFRSF) / International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) work and how these are being changed
• to examine the fundamental requirements of IFRS on a standard-by-standard basis
• to provide guidance on how to use IFRS in practice.

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. If you need to develop a working knowledge of the area, the DipIFR can help prepare you.

International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) are mandated in more than 100 countries worldwide. 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 locations 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, including India, 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, explain and apply the IASB's Conceptual Framework for Financial Reporting
• 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 arrangements.

Course Objectives

Understand how to apply the principles of business valuation in order to better service your clients’ needs with the Certificate in Business Valuations. 

The importance of business valuation is growing. As reported by ACCA members, more professional accountants are expected to hold expert knowledge in business valuations for supporting increased mergers and acquisitions activity.

ACCA and the Conseil Superiéur Ordre Des Experts-Comptables (CSOEC) have collaborated through a strategic partnership to develop the Certificate in Business Valuations; a high-quality specialist qualification requested by qualified accountants, finance business professionals and employers globally.
 

Learning Objectives

• Understand the different contexts of business valuation, and the considerations which need to be made before undertaking a valuation
• Select the appropriate method of business valuation for any given situation
• Practice how to successfully apply business valuation techniques in a practical context.

Introduction

More than ever, business leaders need to be sure that the decisions they make are rooted in a deep understanding of the latest issues and trends. As organisations become ever more customer centric, it’s important that finance teams, as guardians of organisational data, are leveraging data analytics to provide the forward-looking insights required to support decision-making.

The ACCA Certificate in Data Analytics (CertDA) is aimed at business professionals who wish to develop their understanding of data, and the skills and techniques available for data analytics. Using real practical business examples, learners are able to develop an understanding of how data analytics and data modelling can be used to garner business insights.

Learners will learn about big data, the various sources of data, types of analytics, and become familiar with the range of tools and techniques required to extract, manipulate, interpret and present data. They’ll also learn about the need to be both sceptical and ethical when working in the data analytics field.

Many of the data tools introduced in the certificate are widely and freely available, such as spreadsheet or database software. Learners will also be introduced to popular statistical and programming tools such as SQL, R and Python, as well as an introduction to artificial intelligence and machine learning.

Learning outcomes

The CertDA will teach learners:

• how to use commercial awareness to articulate business questions
• identify and manipulate relevant data and deeply analyse it by applying appropriate techniques.
• how findings from analysis can and should be visualised and communicated, enabling relevant stakeholders to make sound business decisions
• learn and understand ethical security issues around data analytics.

What you will learn

The CertDIF is designed to help you:

• understand how digital technology is disrupting the finance profession
• increase your awareness of emerging technologies
• understand what digitalisation can mean for your role and how to make informed decisions about adopting and using new technologies
• develop a digital mindset to take a considered view of the emerging technologies
• stay up to date in this ever-changing and fast-moving area

A practical insight into the range of FinTech technologies, including artificial intelligence, machine learning and robotic process and intelligent automation, that integrate to transform finance operations and business models in successful organisations.

CertFinTech consists of three courses, which ensure finance professionals have the practical skills needed to develop an effective and productive understanding of key technologies. Unlike similar courses, this professional certificate also contains practical labs to deliver hands-on training.

The Certificate in Global Business Services (GBS) gives you the skills and expertise to process accounting and produce reports, and helps you understand the shared services, processes and standards.

The GBS, shared services and outsourcing industry is one of the fastest growing worldwide and is a key component of many finance transformation programmes. The Certificate in GBS provides the fundamental knowledge and skills required to perform successfully in a GBS organisation.

It has been developed in consultation with over 50 major employers across the world, and is designed to develop the technical skills, industry knowledge, business acumen and analytical capabilities needed to add value across the entire delivery model.

The certificate modules cover:

• Establishment and operation of GBS organisations
• Process design and improvement
• Accounting and reporting
• Digital and technology innovation
• Control, compliance, governance, risk and ethics

On successful completion of this course, learners will be able to:

• apply the fundamental concepts of value creation, the capitals and the value creation process to an organisation
• participate effectively as part of a team preparing an integrated report
• participate effectively as part of a team planning and coordinating the implementation of Integrated Reporting, including integrated thinking, within an organisation.

The certificate offers an introduction to the International Standards on Auditing (ISAs), covering the principles and application of ISAs through online tuition and objective assessment.

This ACCA qualification is structured in an accessible and user-friendly way that underlines key information and provides useful summaries. It provides topic-by-topic exploration of specific ISAs. There are many exercises, multiple-choice questions and sample answers for you to test your knowledge with as you progress through the course.

The course is also updated every year to make sure it stays relevant, and includes a topic by topic explanation of the specific ISAs. 
On completion you will:

• understand how ISAs are used around the world
• be aware of the fundamental requirements of ISAs on a standard-by-standard basis
• know how to use ISAs in practice.

IPSAS®(Certificate in International Public Sector Accounting Standards) have been developed to enhance the quality, consistency and transparency of public sector financial reporting worldwide. Issued by the International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board (IPSASB), they are cash-based standards and accruals standards used for the preparation of general purpose financial statements by governments and other public sector entities around the world.

The ACCA Certificate in International Public Sector Accounting Standards - known as Cert IPSAS - has been specifically developed to help you meet the challenges of implementing IPSAS by:

• examining the fundamental requirements of accrual-based IPSAS on a standard-by-standard basis, for the benefit of preparers, auditors and users of financial statements
• providing guidance on how to use IPSAS in practice, with the aid of cases, interactive exercises and formative questions
• explaining the difference between the cash basis IPSAS and accrual-based IPSAS
• providing an overview of how IPSAS are used around the world
• explaining the workings of the IPSASB and how these are developing.

Given the pace of change and size of expenditure in the public sector, it’s critical that finance professionals working in the sector have the right skills to deal with the challenges ahead. In response to demand from the public sector, we have developed the Certificate in Public Financial Management to help support and build strong public financial management.

The ACCA Certificate in Public Financial Management will transform the finance capabilities of your organisation. By delivering the public finance knowledge, skills and ethical values needed by organisations like yours, our new Certificate will help you build financial capability and assess your employees.

It introduces the essentials of public financial management. It provides a practical and broad-based knowledge of public financial management, teaching the foundations of public sector finance and ensuring finance professionals in the public sector have a core understanding of what is involved.

The Certificate in Sustainability for Finance, consisting of five courses covering 16 hours of learning, will allow finance teams to gain the skills and knowledge to enable them to confidently lead on sustainability issues in their organisations. 

There are no formal educational requirements to begin the certificate.

If your team already have professional accountancy qualifications, this certificate can be a valuable source of CPD. It also provides an opportunity to top up existing competencies with specific knowledge and skills around digital technology, future disruptors and digital transformation.

Team members who don’t currently hold any professional accountancy qualifications can benefit from the opportunity to gain formal recognition of their capabilities.