ACCA Student Podcasts

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These educational podcasts offer an in-depth exploration of a range of subjects relevant to the ACCA Qualification. Areas covered include risk, governance, ethics, audit, human resource management, strategy, environmental accounting and many more.

ACCA Student Podcasts


    • Oct 7, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 12m AVG DURATION
    • 210 EPISODES


    Search for episodes from ACCA Student Podcasts with a specific topic:

    Latest episodes from ACCA Student Podcasts

    Episode 167: Public sector governance

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2022 12:52


    This topic is covered in the Strategic Business Leader syllabus. The purpose of this podcast is to introduce this topic and give some pointers as to what the important themes are in terms of teaching and learning.

    Episode 166: Improving your Advanced Performance Management answers – part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2022 16:45


    This two-part podcast aims to give clarity on the level of response that is required in a APM answer. It will address a specific past exam question that caused considerable difficulty in the March 2021 session. This episode follows on from the first part, which gave examples of weak answers, and this one will discuss two possible pass standard solutions to this question.

    Episode 165: Improving your Advanced Performance Management answers – part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2022 17:35


    This two-part podcast aims to give clarity on the level of response that is required in a APM answer. It will address a specific past exam question that caused considerable difficulty in the March 2021 session. This part will present and discuss two possible poor solutions to this question.

    Episode 164: The audit of assertions

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2022 14:51


    This podcast focuses on assertions as identified by ISA 315 (Revised 2019) and also provides useful guidance to candidates on how to tackle questions dealing with these.

    Episode 163: Diversifying the board – a step towards better governance

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2022 13:49


    The board of directors forms one of the pillars of a robust corporate governance framework. Recent academic literature suggests that one of the ways to enhance corporate governance, arguably, is to diversify the board and this is included in the Strategic Business Leader syllabus. This podcast explores the concept of board diversity and how it may benefit the organisation, as well as the possible costs of board diversity and the current regulatory initiatives that apply to it. 

    Episode 162: The integrated report framework

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2022 7:59


    In 2013, the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC) released the first version of its framework for integrated reporting. The framework established principles and concepts that govern the overall content of an integrated report. This podcast explores the content, uses and impact of the integrated report framework.

    Episode 163: Improving your APM answers - Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2022 17:15


    This two-part podcast aims to give clarity on the level of response that is required in an APM answer. It will address a specific past exam question that caused considerable difficulty in the March 2021 session. The first part of this podcast gave examples of weak answers, and this one will discuss two possible pass standard solutions to this question. Before listening, it is essential to have read the scenario and requirement for Question 1, part (b) (i) of the March 2021 APM exam and it will be helpful to keep these to hand. 

    Episode 162: Improving your APM answers - Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2022 18:16


    This two-part podcast aims to give clarity on the level of response that is required in an APM answer. It will address a specific past exam question that caused considerable difficulty in the March 2021 session. This part will present and discuss two possible poor solutions to this question. Before listening, it is essential to have read the scenario and requirement for Question 1 part (b)(i) of the March 2021 APM exam and it will be helpful to keep these to hand. 

    Episode 5: Public sector governance

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2022 13:12


    Public sector governance is covered in the Strategic Business Leader syllabus. The purpose of this podcast is to introduce this topic and give some pointers as to what the important themes are in terms of teaching and learning. It explores agency in the public sector, forms of organisation, political influence and stakeholders.

    Episode 4: The integrated report framework

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2022 8:37


    In 2013, the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC) released the first version of its framework for integrated reporting. The framework established principles and concepts that govern the overall content of an integrated report. This podcast examines the framework in detail, including the key components of an integrated report and its focus on relationships with stakeholders.

    Episode 3: Diversifying the board - a step towards better governance

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2022 15:33


    The board of directors forms one of the pillars of a robust corporate governance framework. Recent academic literature suggests that one of the ways to enhance corporate governance is to diversify the board and this is included in the Strategic Business Leader syllabus. This podcast attempts to elaborate on this topic by first introducing the concept of board diversity and how it may benefit the organisation, followed by a discussion of the possible costs of board diversity and a comment on the current regulatory initiatives of board diversity.

    Episode 2: Behavioural finance

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2021 4:17


    Learning outcome F4c of the Financial Management (FM) syllabus is as follows: Describe the significance of investor speculation and the explanations of investor decisions offered by behavioural finance. The learning outcome is at intellectual level 1, meaning that knowledge and comprehension of this topic is required. This podcast briefly looks at what behavioural finance is and some important terms related to behavioural finance which students should know.

    Episode 1: Intangible assets – can’t touch this

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2021 17:43


    IAS® 38 Intangible Assets is one of the key standards in the Financial Reporting (FR) exam, covering how companies should account for intangible assets. This standard can be examined in all sections of the exam. A well-prepared candidate needs to be able to understand and explain the key principles of the standard, in addition to preparing calculations. 

    Group audits

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2021 16:47


    The audit of group financial statements is an area frequently examined in the Advanced Audit and Assurance examination. It can be tested at any stage of the audit cycle and therefore in any section of the examination. It is important that candidates are able to identify risks arising from aspects of group audits and the responsibility of auditors in this regard. This podcast focuses on the key areas of group audit, highlighting sections of ISA 600, Special Considerations – Audits of Group Financial Statements (Including the Work of Component Auditors). Candidates should be familiar with the standard prior to sitting the Advanced Audit and Assurance exam.

    Market segmentation: a strategic analysis and positioning tool

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 5, 2021 9:47


    This podcast focuses on the nature and importance of market and customer segmentation, an aspect of strategic analysis which is covered within Section C of the Strategic Business Leader syllabus.

    Episode 161: Relevant costs

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2021 25:36


    ‘Relevant costs’ can be defined as any cost relevant to a decision. A matter is relevant if there is a change in cash flow that is caused by the decision. This podcast looks at the different kinds of costs that can be considered as either relevant or irrelevant, and then considers some specific examples that might be found in an exam question.

    Relevant costs

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2020 25:37


    ‘Relevant costs’ can be defined as any cost relevant to a decision. A matter is relevant if there is a change in cash flow that is caused by the decision. This podcast looks at the different kinds of costs that can be considered as either relevant or irrelevant, and then considers some specific examples that might be found in an exam question.

    The audit of assertions

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2020 16:07


    This podcast is relevant to Foundations in Audit (FAU) and Audit and Assurance (AA). It focuses on assertions as identified by ISA 315 (Revised) and also provides useful guidance to candidates on how to tackle questions dealing with these.

    Financial Instruments

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 15, 2020 27:00


    International Financial Reporting Standard 9 Financial Instruments is a complex standard, especially for users and preparers of financial statements. IFRS 9 is relevant to the Financial Reporting (FR) syllabus, and so this podcast takes a high-level review of its application to the following: Financial assets, financial liabilities and convertibles.

    SBL: Cybersecurity and the strategic business leader

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2020 11:36


    Syllabus area E4 of the SBL study guide requires students to discuss, assess and evaluate the security of IT systems. This podcast explains why these skills are crucial for those seeking to become effective strategic business leaders and demonstrates how they can be applied in practice.

    SA Interviews: The digital CFO with Chris Argent

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2020 20:02


    In this episode we talk to Chris Argent, founder and strategic advisor at Generation CFO, an online network seeking to help finance professionals adapt, grow and remain relevant in a rapidly changing world.

    Using the power of visualisation to motivate

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2020 5:37


    Taken from an article by Sean Purcell, this podcast looks at the power of visualisation to motivate you towards success, and how to create a structure of living that supports your vision. Sean Purcell BA ACMA CGMA is an ACCA expert tutor who regularly contributes to ACCA programmes around the world. He was recently voted 2020 lecturer of the year by PQ magazine.

    Motivation and planning a route to success

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2020 6:29


    Taken from an article by Sean Purcell, this podcast explores the power of motivation and creating specific behaviours and actions to accomplish your goals. Sean Purcell BA ACMA CGMA is an ACCA expert tutor who regularly contributes to ACCA programmes around the world. He was recently voted 2020 lecturer of the year by PQ magazine.

    Techniques for effective study

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 6, 2020 8:47


    Taken from an article by Sean Purcell, this podcast looks at different learning styles, how to stay focused and take care of your mental health. Sean Purcell BA ACMA CGMA is an ACCA expert tutor who regularly contributes to ACCA programmes around the world. He was recently voted 2020 lecturer of the year by PQ magazine.

    How to make the most of online learning

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 29, 2020 14:37


    Expert tutors Tom Clendon and Affaf Noor discuss how to make the most of online learning

    SA Interviews: Strategies for success with prizewinners Autumn Murphy, Dominic Gibson and Lauren Pamplin

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 7, 2020 24:27


    ACCA prizewinners Autumn Murphy, Dominic Gibson and Lauren Pamplin share their top tips for passing exams, in particular the Advanced Taxation, Advanced Performance Management and Advanced Audit and Assurance exams. They also discuss their experiences of working in lockdown, how they approach their careers, and how they manage to stay motivated.

    SA Interviews: Finance on the front line with St Barts Hospital FD Nick Geatches

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 11, 2020 22:41


    In this podcast we hear from the head of finance St Bartholomew's Hospital, Nick Geatches, about his career with KPMG, how he made the shift to the public sector, what it's been like working for the NHS during the Coronavirus pandemic and how the future looks for health finances.

    SA Interviews: Stuart Pedley-Smith Part 2 - Learning in lockdown

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2020 27:03


    In the second of two podcasts, Head of Learning at Kaplan Financial Stuart Pedley-Smith talks specifically about some of the obstacles to studying that might come up during periods of self-isolation, and what strategies to apply in order to overcome them - many of which will be equally useful once the lockdown ends.

    SA Interviews: Stuart Pedley-Smith Part 1 - The six strategies of learning

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2020 35:08


    In the first of two podcasts, Head of Learning at Kaplan Financial Stuart Pedley-Smith explains the science of learning, and how effective learning methods can be applied by anyone to achieve positive results. In particular this episode explores in depth six proven strategies for effective learning: spacing, interleaving, retrieval practice, elaboration, concrete examples and dual coding.

    SA Interviews: Inside BDO with Andy Hall and Andy Huddleston

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2020 23:34


    In this episode we talk to Andy Hall, an ACCA prizewinner and business advisor at BDO, and Andy Huddleston, a partner within the BDO Drive team. They share their various experiences of studying, working and recruiting at BDO, how the finance landscape is changing, and how accountants can be future ready. This episode is sponsored by tuition provider Kaplan.

    SBL: Cybersecurity and the strategic business leader

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2020 11:37


    Syllabus area E4 of the SBL study guide requires students to discuss, assess and evaluate the security of IT systems. This podcast explains why these skills are crucial for those seeking to become effective strategic business leaders and demonstrates how they can be applied in practice.

    Performance management: Big data

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 11, 2020 14:59


    This podcast explores the three "V"s of big data: Velocity, Variety and Volume. It also looks at the processing and analysing of big data, as well as the dangers and risks.

    SA Interviews: How to be a future-ready accountant

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 10, 2020 13:29


    Finance Director Analysis & Control at Hays Specialist Recruitment in London Richard Snowden shares his experiences of managing a team responsible for internal and external reporting, and discusses what skills accountants need in the jobs market right now, the importance of creativity and communication, and how to stay relevant in an ever-changing profession.

    SA Interviews: How can accountants help tackle the climate crisis? With Barbara Davidson

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 26, 2020 31:08


    Climate change is one of the hottest topics in business right now; at the recent World Economic Forum it was declared that the top five global risks were all linked to the environment. As consumers become more eco-conscious, "sustainability" has become a buzzword, and many companies say they are committed to reducing their "carbon footprint." But is enough being done by the finance world to stem the crisis, and what can accountants specifically do to contribute? Barbara Davidson is the former head of Investor Engagement at the International Financial Reporting Standards Board and has over 20 years of experience in the accounting and finance sector, as well as an MSc in Environmental Policy and Regulation. In this podcast she shares some of her wealth of knowledge and experience on this subject, including a discussion of the Sustainable Development Goals, and what individuals as well as organisations can do to bring about positive change.

    SA Interviews: Recruitment 101 with Hays' UK Director Karen Young

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 8, 2020 25:57


    In this episode we talk to the UK director of Hays Accountancy and Finance, Karen Young, about the advantages of working with a recruitment agency, the key things to focus on when looking for a job, how to tailor your CV and prepare for interviews, and what makes candidates stand out from the crowd.

    Introduction to Islamic finance

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 20, 2019 14:05


    Islamic finance rests on the application of Islamic law, or Shariah, whose primary sources are the Qur'an and the sayings and practice of the Prophet Muhammad. Shariah, and very much in the context of Islamic finance, emphasises justice and partnership. The ACCA Financial Management syllabus contains a section on Islamic finance (Section E3). This podcast explores the main tenets of Islamic finance and how it applies in a contemporary business world.

    PER: Nurture your digital quotient

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 19, 2019 5:21


    Your ability to constantly evolve your technology skills – your digital quotient – is a pivotal competency that will keep your career, indeed your profession, in the game. This podcast explores the notion of DQ and how it affects the path of the contemporary accountant.

    SBR: Business models

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 13, 2019 10:21


    Understanding the business model of an entity is helpful in analysing and communicating the essence of a business and for predicting the implications of a change in circumstance on a business. Strategic Business Reporting (SBR) candidates should use this technique to improve their answers to SBR questions and this podcast should help them to do this.

    SA Interviews: SBL tips with prizewinner Aminat Kamaru

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 12, 2019 16:01


    The Strategic Business Leader exam mirrors the workplace, providing opportunities to demonstrate a blend of technical, practical and professional skills. In this episode we speak to SBL prizewinner Aminat Kamaru, senior associate risk assurance professional at PwC Nigeria, about how she tackled studying for this exam, what inspired her and what were the key factors in enabling her success.

    Pressure points

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2019 4:58


    The perception of stress and the ability to manage it vary from person to person, but there are techniques for coping with whatever comes your way. In this podcast we explore some of the more effective - and ineffective - ways of tackling stress.

    SA Interviews: Passing SBL with prizewinner Sophie Taylor

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2019 16:56


    In this episode our special guest is Sophie Taylor, an internal auditor at a financial services company. As a prizewinner from the March 2019 Strategic Business Leader exam, Sophie shares which resources she found most useful and offers tips about how to study for and pass the SBL exam.

    SA Interviews: Jobsearching with recruitment consultant Tom Wood

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2019 18:55


    In this episode our special guest is Tom Wood, a recruitment manager at Morgan McKinley. Tom shares his expertise and experience in this field, offering advice on how to boost your CV and LinkedIn profile, how to prepare for interview and what employers are looking for.

    SBR: Accounting for cryptocurrencies

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 26, 2019 10:57


    There are many issues that accountants may encounter in practice for which no accounting standard currently exists; one example is cryptocurrencies. For example, as no accounting standard currently exists to explain how cryptocurrency should be accounted for, accountants have no alternative but to refer to existing accounting standards. This podcast demonstrates to Strategic Business Reporting (SBR) candidates how this can be done using cryptocurrencies as an example.

    SBR: The Sustainable Development Goals

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2019 8:17


    The Sustainable Development Goals are 17 goals tackling major world issues agreed by 193 UN member states to be achieved by 2030. In this podcast we look at what the goals are and how they can provide insights for companies into how to create economic, social and environmental value for their investors and other stakeholders.

    Careers: Protecting your data

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2019 3:27


    As finance professionals, safeguarding personal, client and company data and information is vital. In this short podcast we explore some of the most important ways to keep data safe.

    SA Interviews: Data 101 with Rob Douglas

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 5, 2019 13:40


    In this episode we talk to Rob Douglas, director of planning for Europe at Adaptive Insights, about the way advances in technology, big data and artificial intelligence are likely to affect finance jobs in the future.

    SA Interviews: CV Writing 101 with Matt Craven

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2019 20:14


    Matt Craven, MD of The CV and Interview Advisors, shares his wealth of knowledge and experience on CV writing, personal branding, interview technique and career development for jobseekers in the finance and accountancy sector.

    SA Interviews: ACCA Prizewinners

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2019 19:52


    How do the students with the top marks achieve their impressive results? What's the secret? In this episode we talk to 3 ACCA prizewinners around the world, Aminat Kamaru from Nigeria, Shahzeb Khan from Pakistan and Robyn Hever from the UK, about their goals, challenges and top tips for studying and passing exams.

    SA Interviews: Mindfulness with Tessa Watt

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2019 20:49


    What is mindfulness and why is it such a big deal these days, both inside and outside of the workplace? In the first episode of our new interview series, we talk to mindfulness expert, teacher and author Tessa Watt about how mindfulness can be of benefit to those studying and practising accountancy.

    Applying big data and data analytics in Strategic Business Leader

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2019 16:42


    This podcast gives an overview of big data and its characteristics. It then explores data analytics and looks at some examples of how using big data and data analytics can improve business performance.

    Key Budget 2018 proposed tax changes for businesses

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2019 10:58


    The finance minister Heng Swee Keat delivered a futuristic Singapore Budget Statement for the Financial Year 2018 on 19 February 2018. A slew of tax changes were announced to provide near-term support to firms and workers, foster pervasive innovation, build deep capabilities and forge strong partnerships both locally and abroad. This podcast explores the significant tax changes announced for businesses in Budget 2018.

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