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  1
  Advanced Financial
  Management (P4)
  December 2014 & June
  2015
  This syllabus and study guide is designed to help
  with planning study and to provide detailed
  information on what could be assessed in
  any examination session.
  THE STRUCTURE OF THE SYLLABUS AND
  STUDY GUIDE
  Relational diagram of paper with other papers
  This diagram shows direct and indirect links
  between this paper and other papers preceding or
  following it. Some papers are directly underpinned
  by other papers such as Advanced Performance
  Management by Performance Management. These
  links are shown as solid line arrows. Other papers
  only have indirect relationships with each other
  such as links existing between the accounting and
  auditing papers. The links between these are shown
  as dotted line arrows. This diagram indicates where
  you are expected to have underpinning knowledge
  and where it would be useful to review previous
  learning before undertaking study.
  Overall aim of the syllabus
  This explains briefly the overall objective of the
  paper and indicates in the broadest sense the
  capabilities to be developed within the paper.
  Main capabilities
  This paper’s aim is broken down into several main
  capabilities which divide the syllabus and study
  guide into discrete sections.
  Relational diagram of the main capabilities
  This diagram illustrates the flows and links between
  the main capabilities (sections) of the syllabus and
  should be used as an aid to planning teaching and
  learning in a structured way.
  Syllabus rationale
  This is a narrative explaining how the syllabus is
  structured and how the main capabilities are linked.
  The rationale also explains in further detail what the
  examination intends to assess and why.
  Detailed syllabus
  This shows the breakdown of the main capabilities
 ?。╯ections) of the syllabus into subject areas. This is
  the blueprint for the detailed study guide.
  Approach to examining the syllabus
  This section briefly explains the structure of the
  examination and how it is assessed.
  Study Guide
  This is the main document that students, learning
  and content providers should use as the basis of
  their studies, instruction and materials.
  Examinations will be based on the detail of the
  study guide which comprehensively identifies what
  could be assessed in any examination session.
  The study guide is a precise reflection and
  breakdown of the syllabus. It is divided into sections
  based on the main capabilities identified in the
  syllabus. These sections are divided into subject
  areas which relate to the sub-capabilities included
  in the detailed syllabus. Subject areas are broken
  down into sub-headings which describe the detailed
  outcomes that could be assessed in examinations.
  These outcomes are described using verbs
  indicating what exams may require students to
  demonstrate, and the broad intellectual level at
  which these may need to be demonstrated
  (*see intellectual levels below)。
  INTELLECTUAL LEVELS
  The syllabus is designed to progressively broaden
  and deepen the knowledge, skills and professional
  values demonstrated by the student on their way
  through the qualification.
  The specific capabilities within the detailed
  syllabuses and study guides are assessed at one of
  three intellectual or cognitive levels:
  LevelⅠ: Knowledge and comprehension
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  2
  LevelⅡ: Application and analysis
  LevelⅢ: Synthesis and *uation
  Very broadly, these intellectual levels relate to the
  three cognitive levels at which the Knowledge
  module, the Skills module and the Professional level
  are assessed.
  Each subject area in the detailed study guide
  included in this document is given a 1, 2, or
  3 superscript, denoting intellectual level, marked at
  the end of each relevant line. This gives an
  indication of the intellectual depth at which an area
  could be assessed within the examination. However,
  while level 1 broadly equates with the Knowledge
  module, level 2 equates to the Skills module and
  level 3 to the Professional level, some lower level
  skills can continue to be assessed as the student
  progresses through each module and level. This
  reflects that at each stage of study there will be a
  requirement to broaden, as well as deepen
  capabilities. It is also possible that occasionally
  some higher level capabilities may be assessed at
  lower levels.
  LEARNING HOURS AND EDUCATION
  RECOGNITION
  The ACCA qualification does not prescribe or
  recommend any particular number of learning hours
  for examinations because study and learning
  patterns and styles vary greatly between people and
  organisations. This also recognises the wide
  diversity of personal, professional and educational
  circumstances in which ACCA students find
  themselves.
  As a member of the International Federation of
  Accountants, ACCA seeks to enhance the education
  recognition of its qualification on both national and
  international education frameworks, and with
  educational authorities and partners globally. In
  doing so, ACCA aims to ensure that its qualifications
  are recognized and valued by governments,
  regulatory authorities and employers across all
  sectors. To this end, ACCA qualifications are
  currently recognized on the education frameworks in
  several countries. Please refer to your national
  education framework regulator for further
  information.
  Each syllabus contains between 23 and 35 main
  subject area headings depending on the nature of
  the subject and how these areas have been broken
  down.
  GUIDE TO EXAM STRUCTURE
  The structure of examinations varies within and
  between modules and levels.
  The Fundamentals level examinations contain
  100% compulsory questions to encourage
  candidates to study across the breadth of each
  syllabus.
  The Knowledge module is assessed by equivalent
  two-hour paper based and computer based
  examinations.
  The Skills module examinations F5-F9 are all paper
  based three-hour papers containing a mix of
  objective and longer type questions. The Corporate
  and Business Law (F4) paper is a two- hour
  computer based objective test examination which is
  also available as a paper based version from the
  December 2014 examination session.
  The Professional level papers are all three-hour
  paper based examinations, all containing two
  sections. Section A is compulsory, but there will be
  some choice offered in Section B.
  For all three hour examination papers, ACCA has
  introduced 15 minutes reading and planning time.
  This additional time is allowed at the beginning of
  each three-hour examination to allow candidates to
  read the questions and to begin planning their
  answers before they start writing in their answer
  books. This time should be used to ensure that all
  the information and exam requirements are properly
  read and understood.
  During reading and planning time candidates may
  only annotate their question paper. They may not
  write anything in their answer booklets until told to
  do so by the invigilator.
  The Essentials module papers all have a Section A
  containing a major case study question with all
  requirements totalling 50 marks relating to this
  case. Section B gives students a choice of two from
  three 25 mark questions.
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  Section A of both the P4 and P5 Options papers
  contain one 50 mark compulsory question, and
  Section B will offer a choice of two from three
  questions each worth 25 marks each.
  Section A of each of the P6 and P7 Options papers
  contains 60 compulsory marks from two questions;
  question 1 attracting 35 marks, and question 2
  attracting 25 marks. Section B of both these
  Options papers will offer a choice of two from three
  questions, with each question attracting 20 marks.
  All Professional level exams contain four
  professional marks.
  The pass mark for all ACCA Qualification
  examination papers is 50%.
  GUIDE TO EXAMINATION ASSESSMENT
  ACCA reserves the right to examine anything
  contained within the study guide at any examination
  session. This includes knowledge, techniques,
  principles, theories, and concepts as specified.
  For the financial accounting, audit and assurance,
  law and tax papers except where indicated
  otherwise, ACCA will publish examinable
  documents once a year to indicate exactly
  what regulations and legislation could potentially be
  assessed within identified examination sessions
  For paper based examinations regulation issued or
  legislation passed on or before 31st August annually,
  will be examinable from 1st September of the
  following year to 31st August t of the year after that.
  Please refer to the examinable documents for the
  paper (where relevant) for further information.
  Regulation issued or legislation passed in
  accordance with the above dates may be
  examinable even if the effective date is in the future.
  The term issued or passed relates to when
  regulation or legislation has been formally approved.
  The term effective relates to when regulation or
  legislation must be applied to an entity transactions
  and business practices.
  The study guide offers more detailed guidance on
  the depth and level at which the examinable
  documents will be examined. The study guide
  should therefore be read in conjunction with the
  examinable documents list.
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  Syllabus
  AIM
  To apply relevant knowledge, skills and exercise
  professional judgement as expected of a senior
  financial executive or advisor, in taking or
  recommending decisions relating to the financial
  management of an organisation in private and
  public sectors.
  MAIN CAPABILITIES
  On successful completion of this paper, candidates
  should be able to:
  A Explain and *uate the role and responsibility
  of the senior financial executive or advisor in
  meeting conflicting needs of stakeholders
  B Evaluate the impact of macro economics and
  recognise the role of international financial
  institutions in the financial management of
  multinationals
  C Evaluate potential investment decisions and
  assessing their financial and strategic
  consequences, both domestically and
  internationally
  D Assess and plan acquisitions and mergers as
  an alternative growth strategy
  E Evaluate and advise on alternative corporate
  re-organisation strategies
  F Apply and *uate alternative advanced
  treasury and risk management techniques
  G Identify and assess the potential impact of
  emerging issues in finance and financial
  management.
  RELATIONAL DIAGRAM OF MAIN CAPABILITIES
  FM (F9)
  AFM (P4)
  MA (F2)
  PA (P1) CR (P2)
  Treasury and advanced risk management
  techniques (F)
  Corporate reconstruction and re-organisation (E)
  Role and responsibility towards stakeholders (A)
  Advanced investment appraisal (C)
  Economic
  environment for
  multinational
  organisations
 ?。˙)
  Acquisition and mergers (D)
  Emerging issues in finance and financial management (G)
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  RATIONALE
  This syllabus develops upon the core financial
  management knowledge and skills covered in the
  F9, Financial Management, syllabus at the
  Fundamentals level and prepares candidates to
  advise management and/or clients on complex
  strategic financial management issues facing an
  organisation.
  The syllabus starts by exploring the role and
  responsibility of a senior executive or advisor in
  meeting competing needs of stakeholders within the
  business environment of multinationals. The
  syllabus then re-examines investment and financing
  decisions, with the emphasis moving towards the
  strategic consequences of making such decisions in
  a domestic, as well as international, context.
  Candidates are then expected to develop further
  advisory skills in planning strategic acquisitions and
  mergers and corporate re-organisations.
  The next part of the syllabus re-examines, in the
  broadest sense, the existence of risks in business
  and the sophisticated strategies which are employed
  in order to manage such risks. It builds on what
  candidates would have covered in the F9, Financial
  Management, syllabus and the P1,Governance, Risk
  and Ethics, syllabus. The syllabus finishes by
  examining the impact of emerging issues in finance.
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  DETAILED SYLLABUS
  A Role and responsibility towards stakeholders
  1. The role and responsibility of senior financial
  executive/advisor
  2. Financial strategy formulation
  3. Conflicting stakeholder interests
  4. Ethical issues in financial management
  5. Environmental issues and integrated reporting
  B Economic environment for multinational
  organisations
  1. Management of international trade and finance
  2. Strategic business and financial planning for
  multinational organisations
  C Advanced investment appraisal
  1. Discounted cash flow techniques
  2. Application of option pricing theory in
  investment decisions
  3. Impact of financing on investment decisions
  and adjusted present values
  4. Valuation and the use of free cash flows
  5. International investment and financing
  decisions
  D Acquisitions and mergers
  1. Acquisitions and mergers versus other growth
  strategies
  2. Valuation for acquisitions and mergers
  3. Regulatory framework and processes
  4. Financing acquisitions and mergers
  E Corporate reconstruction and re-organisation
  1. Financial reconstruction
  2. Business re-organisation
  F Treasury and advanced risk management
  techniques
  1. The role of the treasury function in
  multinationals
  2. The use of financial derivatives to hedge
  against forex risk
  3. The use of financial derivatives to hedge
  against interest rate risk
  4. Dividend policy in multinationals and transfer
  pricing
  G Emerging issues in finance and financial
  management
  1. Developments in world financial markets
  2. Developments in international trade and
  finance
  3. Developments in Islamic financing
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  APPROACH TO EXAMINING THE SYLLABUS
  The P4, Advanced Financial Management, paper
  builds upon the skills and knowledge examined in
  the F9, Financial Management, paper. At this stage
  candidates will be expected to demonstrate an
  integrated knowledge of the subject and an ability to
  relate their technical understanding of the subject to
  issues of strategic importance to the organisation.
  The study guide specifies the wide range of
  contextual understanding that is required to achieve
  a satisfactory standard at this level.
  Examination Structure
  The examination will be a three-hour paper in two
  sections:
  Section A:
  Section A will contain a compulsory question,
  comprising of 50 marks.
  Section A will normally cover significant issues
  relevant to the senior financial manager or advisor
  and will be set in the form of a case study or
  scenario. The requirements of the section A question
  are such that candidates will be expected to show a
  comprehensive understanding of issues from across
  the syllabus. The question will contain a mix of
  computational and discursive elements. Within this
  question candidates will be expected to provide
  answers in a specified form such as a short report or
  board memorandum commensurate with the
  professional level of the paper in part or whole of
  the question.
  Section B:
  In section B candidates will be asked to answer two
  from three questions, comprising of 25 marks each.
  Section B questions are designed to provide a more
  focused test of the syllabus. Questions will normally
  contain a mix of computational and discursive
  elements, but may also be wholly discursive or
  *uative where computations are already
  provided.
  Total 100 marks
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  Study Guide
  A ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITY TOWARDS
  STAKEHOLDERS
  1. The role and responsibility of senior financial
  executive/advisor
  a) Develop strategies for the achievement of the
  organisational goals in line with its agreed
  policy framework. [3]
  b) Recommend strategies for the management of
  the financial resources of the organisation such
  that they are utilised in an efficient, effective
  and transparent way. [3]
  c) Advise the board of directors or management of
  the organisation in setting the financial goals of
  the business and in its financial policy
  development with particular reference to: [2]
  i) Investment selection and capital resource
  allocation
  ii) Minimising the cost of capital
  iii) Distribution and retention policy
  iv) Communicating financial policy and
  corporate goals to internal and external
  stakeholders
  v) Financial planning and control
  vi) The management of risk.
  2. Financial strategy formulation
  a) Assess organisational performance using
  methods such as ratios, trends, EVATM and
  MVA.[3]
  b) Recommend the optimum capital mix and
  structure within a specified business context
  and capital asset structure.[3]
  c) Recommend appropriate distribution and
  retention policy.[3]
  d) Explain the theoretical and practical rationale
  for the management of risk. [3]
  e) Assess the organisation’s exposure to business
  and financial risk including operational,
  reputational, political, economic, regulatory
  and fiscal risk.[3]
  f) Develop a framework for risk management,
  comparing and contrasting risk mitigation,
  hedging and diversification strategies.[3]
  g) Establish capital investment monitoring and
  risk management systems.[3]
  3. Conflicting stakeholder interests
  a) Assess the potential sources of the conflict
  within a given corporate governance/
  stakeholder framework informed by an
  understanding of the alternative theories of
  managerial *. [3]
  Relevant underpinning theory for this
  assessment would be:
  i) The separation of ownership and control
  ii) Transaction cost economics and
  comparative governance structures
  iii) Agency Theory.
  b) Recommend, within specified problem
  domains, appropriate strategies for the
  resolution of stakeholder conflict and advise on
  alternative approaches that may be adopted. [3]
  c) Compare the different governance structures
  and policies (with particular emphasis upon
  the European stakeholder and the US/UK
  shareholder model) and with respect to the role
  of the financial manager. [3]
  4. Ethical issues in financial management
  a) Assess the ethical dimension within business
  issues and decisions and advise on best
  practice in the financial management of the
  organisation.[3]
  b) Demonstrate an understanding of the
  interconnectedness of the ethics of good
  business practice between all of the functional
  areas of the organisation.[2]
  c) Establish an ethical financial policy for the
  financial management of the organisation
  which is grounded in good governance, the
  highest standards of probity and is fully aligned
  with the ethical principles of the Association. [3]
  d) Recommend an ethical framework for the
  development of an organisation’s financial
  policies and a system for the assessment of its
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  9
  ethical impact upon the financial management
  of the organisation.[3]
  e) Explore the areas within the ethical framework
  of the organisation which may be undermined
  by agency effects and/or stakeholder conflicts
  and establish strategies for dealing with
  them.[3]
  5. Environmental issues and integrated reporting
  a) Assess the issues which may impact upon
  organisational objectives and governance
  from:[3]
  i) Sustainability and environmental risk
  ii) The carbon-trading economy and emissions
  iii) The role of the environment agency
  iv) Environmental audits and the triple bottom
  line approach.
  b) Assess and advise on the impact of investment
  and financing strategies and decisions on
  the organisations' stakeholders, from an
  integrated reporting and governance
  perspective .[2]
  B ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT FOR
  MULTINATIONALS
  1. Management of international trade and
  finance
  a) Advise on the theory and practice of free trade
  and the management of barriers to trade.[3]
  b) Demonstrate an up to date understanding of
  the major trade agreements and common
  markets and, on the basis of contemporary
  circumstances, advise on their policies and
  strategic implications for a given business.[3]
  c) Discuss the objectives of the World Trade
  Organisation.[2]
  d) Discuss the role of international financial
  institutions within the context of a globalised
  economy, with particular attention to the
  International Monetary Fund, the Bank of
  International Settlements, The World Bank and
  the principal Central Banks (the Fed, Bank of
  England, European Central Bank and the Bank
  of Japan)。[2]
  e) Assess the role of the international financial
  markets with respect to the management of
  global debt, the financial development of the
  emerging economies and the maintenance of
  global financial stability.[2]
  2. Strategic business and financial planning for
  multinationals
  a) Advise on the development of a financial
  planning framework for a multinational
  organisation taking into account:[3]
  i) Compliance with national regulatory
  requirements (for example the London
  Stock Exchange admission requirements)
  ii) The mobility of capital across borders and
  national limitations on remittances and
  transfer pricing
  iii) The pattern of economic and other risk
  exposures in the different national markets
  iv) Agency issues in the central coordination of
  overseas operations and the balancing of
  local financial autonomy with effective
  central control.
  C ADVANCED INVESTMENT APPRAISAL
  1. Discounted cash flow techniques
  a) Evaluate the potential value added to an
  organisation arising from a specified capital
  investment project or portfolio using the net
  present value (NPV) model.[3]
  Project modelling should include explicit
  treatment and discussion of:
  i) Inflation and specific price variation
  ii) Taxation including capital allowances and
  tax exhaustion
  iii) Single period and multi-period capital
  rationing. Multi-period capital rationing to
  include the formulation of programming
  methods and the interpretation of their
  output
  iv) Probability analysis and sensitivity analysis
  when adjusting for risk and uncertainty in
  investment appraisal
  v) Risk adjusted discount rates.
  b) Outline the application of Monte Carlo
  simulation to investment appraisal.[2]
  Candidates will not be expected to undertake
  simulations in an examination context but will
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  10
  be expected to demonstrate an understanding
  of:
  i) Simple model design
  ii) The different types of distribution
  controlling the key variables within the
  simulation
  iii) The significance of the simulation output
  and the assessment of the likelihood of
  project success
  iv) The measurement and interpretation of
  project value at risk.
  c) Establish the potential economic return (using
  internal rate of return (IRR) and modified
  internal rate of return) and advise on a
  project’s return margin. Discuss the relative
  merits of NPV and IRR.[3]
  2. Application of option pricing theory in
  investment decisions
  a) Apply the Black-Scholes Option Pricing (BSOP)
  model to financial product valuation and to
  asset valuation:[3]
  i) Determine and discuss, using published
  data, the five principal drivers of option
  value (value of the underlying, exercise
  price, time to expiry, volatility and the riskfree
  rate)
  ii) Discuss the underlying assumptions,
  structure, application and limitations of the
  BSOP model.
  b) Evaluate embedded real options within a
  project, classifying them into one of the real
  option archetypes.[3]
  c) Assess, calculate and advise on the value of
  options to delay, expand, redeploy and
  withdraw using the BSOP model.[3]
  3. Impact of financing on investment decisions
  and adjusted present values
  a) Identify and assess the appropriateness of the
  range of sources of finance available to an
  organisation including equity, debt, hybrids,
  lease finance, venture capital, business angel
  finance, private equity, asset securitisation and
  sale and Islamic finance. Including assessment
  on the financial position, financial risk and the
  value of an organisation.[3]
  b) Calculate the cost of capital of an organisation,
  including the cost of equity and cost of debt,
  based on the range of equity and debt sources
  of finance. Discuss the appropriateness of
  using the cost of capital to establish project
  and organisational value, and discuss its
  relationship to such value.[3]
  c) Calculate and *uate project specific cost of
  equity and cost of capital, including their
  impact on the overall cost of capital of an
  organisation. Demonstrate detailed knowledge
  of business and financial risk, the capital asset
  pricing model and the relationship between
  equity and asset betas.[3]
  d) Assess an organisation’s debt exposure to
  interest rate changes using the simple
  Macaulay duration method. [3]
  e) Discuss the benefits and limitations of duration
  including the impact of convexity. [3]
  f) Assess the organisation’s exposure to credit
  risk, including: [3]
  i) Explain the role of, and the risk assessment
  models used by the principal rating
  agencies
  ii) Estimate the likely credit spread over risk
  free
  iii) Estimate the organisation’s current cost of
  debt capital using the appropriate term
  structure of interest rates and the credit
  spread.
  g) Assess the impact of financing and capital
  structure upon the organisation with respect
  to:[3]
  i) Modigliani and Miller propositions, before
  and after tax
  ii) Static trade-off theory
  iii) Pecking order propositions
  iv) Agency effects.
  h) Apply the adjusted present value technique to
  the appraisal of investment decisions that
  entail significant alterations in the financial
  structure of the organisation, including their
  fiscal and transactions cost implications.[3]
  i) Assess the impact of a significant capital
  investment project upon the reported financial
  position and performance of the organisation
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  11
  taking into account alternative financing
  strategies.[3]
  4. Valuation and the use of free cash flows
  a) Apply asset based, income based and cash
  flow based models to value equity. Apply
  appropriate models, including term structure of
  interest rates, the yield curve and credit
  spreads, to value corporate debt.[3]
  b) Forecast an organisation’s free cash flow and
  its free cash flow to equity (pre and post
  capital reinvestment)。[3]
  c) Advise on the value of an organisation using its
  free cash flow and free cash flow to equity
  under alternative horizon and growth
  assumptions.[3]
  d) Explain the use of the BSOP model to estimate
  the value of equity of an organisation and
  discuss the implications of the model for a
  change in the value of equity.[2]
  e) Explain the role of BSOP model in the
  assessment of default risk, the value of debt
  and its potential recoverability. [2]
  5. International investment and financing
  decisions
  a) Assess the impact upon the value of a project
  of alternative exchange rate assumptions.[3]
  b) Forecast project or organisation free cash flows
  in any specified currency and determine the
  project’s net present value or organisation
  value under differing exchange rate, fiscal and
  transaction cost assumptions.[2]
  c) Evaluate the significance of exchange controls
  for a given investment decision and strategies
  for dealing with restricted remittance.[3]
  d) Assess the impact of a project upon an
  organisation’s exposure to translation,
  transaction and economic risk.[3]
  e) Assess and advise on the costs and benefits of
  alternative sources of finance available within
  the international equity and bond markets.[3]
  D ACQUISITIONS AND MERGERS
  1. Acquisitions and mergers versus other growth
  strategies
  a) Discuss the arguments for and against the use
  of acquisitions and mergers as a method of
  corporate expansion.[2]
  b) Evaluate the corporate and competitive nature
  of a given acquisition proposal.[3]
  c) Advise upon the criteria for choosing an
  appropriate target for acquisition.[3]
  d) Compare the various explanations for the high
  failure rate of acquisitions in enhancing
  shareholder value.[3]
  e) Evaluate, from a given context, the potential for
  synergy separately classified as:[3]
  i) Revenue synergy
  ii) Cost synergy
  iii) Financial synergy.
  2. Valuation for acquisitions and mergers
  a) Discuss the problem of overvaluation.[2]
  b) Estimate the potential near-term and
  continuing growth levels of a corporation’s
  earnings using both internal and external
  measures.[3]
  c) Assess the impact of an acquisition or merger
  upon the risk profile of the acquirer
  distinguishing:[3]
  i) Type 1 acquisitions that do not alter the
  acquirer’s exposure to financial or
  business risk
  ii) Type 2 acquisitions that impact upon the
  acquirer’s exposure to financial risk
  iii) Type 3 acquisitions that impact upon the
  acquirer’s exposure to both financial and
  business risk.
  d) Advise on the valuation of a type 1 acquisition
  of both quoted and unquoted entities using:[3]
  i) ’Book value-plus’ models
  ii) Market based models
  iii) Cash flow models, including EVATM, MVA.
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  12
  e) Advise on the valuation of type 2 acquisitions
  using the adjusted net present value model.[3]
  f) Advise on the valuation of type 3 acquisitions
  using iterative r*uation procedures.[3]
  g) Demonstrate an understanding of the
  procedure for valuing high growth start-ups.[2]
  3. Regulatory framework and processes
  a) Demonstrate an understanding of the principal
  factors influencing the development of the
  regulatory framework for mergers and
  acquisitions globally and, in particular, be able
  to compare and contrast the shareholder versus
  the stakeholder models of regulation.[2]
  b) Identify the main regulatory issues which are
  likely to arise in the context of a given offer and
  i) assess whether the offer is likely to be in
  the shareholders’ best interests
  ii) advise the directors of a target entity on
  the most appropriate defence if a specific
  offer is to be treated as hostile.[3]
  4. Financing acquisitions and mergers
  a) Compare the various sources of financing
  available for a proposed cash-based
  acquisition. [3]
  b) Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of
  a financial offer for a given acquisition proposal
  using pure or mixed mode financing and
  recommend the most appropriate offer to be
  made.[3]
  c) Assess the impact of a given financial offer on
  the reported financial position and performance
  of the acquirer.[3]
  E CORPORATE RECONSTRUCTION AND REORGANISATION
  1. Financial reconstruction
  a) Assess an organisational situation and
  determine whether a financial reconstruction is
  the most appropriate strategy for dealing with
  the problem as presented.[3]
  b) Assess the likely response of the capital market
  and/or individual suppliers of capital to any
  reconstruction scheme and the impact their
  response is likely to have upon the value of the
  organisation.[3]
  c) Recommend a reconstruction scheme from a
  given business situation, justifying the proposal
  in terms of its impact upon the reported
  performance and financial position of the
  organisation.[3]
  2. Business re-organisation
  a) Recommend, with reasons, strategies for
  unbundling parts of a quoted company.[3]
  b) Evaluate the likely financial and other benefits
  of unbundling.[3]
  c) Advise on the financial issues relating to a
  management buy-out and buy-in.[3]
  F TREASURY AND ADVANCED RISK
  MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUES
  1. The role of the treasury function in
  multinationals
  a) Discuss the role of the treasury management
  function within:[3]
  i) The short term management of the
  organisation’s financial resources
  ii) The longer term maximisation of corporate
  value
  iii) The management of risk exposure.
  b) Discuss the operations of the derivatives
  market, including:[3]
  i) The relative advantages and disadvantages
  of exchange traded versus OTC agreements
  ii) Key features, such as standard contracts,
  tick sizes, margin requirements and margin
  trading
  iii) The source of basis risk and how it can be
  minimised.
  iv) Risks such as delta, gamma, vega, rho and
  theta, and how these can be managed.
  ? ACCA 2014 All rights reserved.
  13
  2. The use of financial derivatives to hedge
  against forex risk
  a) Assess the impact on an organisation to
  exposure in translation, transaction and
  economic risks and how these can be
  managed. [3]
  b) Evaluate, for a given hedging requirement,
  which of the following is the most appropriate
  strategy, given the nature of the underlying
  position and the risk exposure:[3]
  i) The use of the forward exchange market
  and the creation of a money market hedge
  ii) Synthetic foreign exchange agreements
 ?。⊿AFEs)
  iii) Exchange-traded currency futures contracts
  iv) Currency swaps
  v) FOREX swaps
  vi) Currency options.
  c) Advise on the use of bilateral and multilateral
  netting and matching as tools for minimising
  FOREX transactions costs and the management
  of market barriers to the free movement of
  capital and other remittances.[3]
  3. The use of financial derivatives to hedge
  against interest rate risk
  a) Evaluate, for a given hedging requirement,
  which of the following is the most appropriate
  given the nature of the underlying position and
  the risk exposure:[3]
  i) Forward Rate Agreements (FRAs)
  ii) Interest Rate Futures
  iii) Interest rate swaps
  iv) Options on FRAs (caps and collars), Interest
  rate futures and interest rate swaps.
  4. Dividend policy in multinationals and transfer
  pricing
  a) Determine a corporation’s dividend capacity
  and its policy given:[3]
  i) The corporation’s short- and long-term
  reinvestment strategy
  ii) The impact of capital reconstruction
  programmes such as share repurchase
  agreements and new capital issues on free
  cash flow to equity.
  iii) The availability and timing of central
  remittances
  iv) The corporate tax regime within the host
  jurisdiction.
  b) Advise, in the context of a specified capital
  investment programme, on an organisation’s
  current and projected dividend capacity.[3]
  c) Develop organisational policy on the transfer
  pricing of goods and services across
  international borders and be able to determine
  the most appropriate transfer pricing strategy in
  a given situation reflecting local regulations and
  tax regimes.[3]
  G EMERGING ISSUES IN FINANCE AND
  FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT
  1. Developments in world financial markets
  Discuss the significance to the organisation, of
  latest developments in the world financial
  markets such as the causes and impact of the
  recent financial crisis; growth and impact of
  dark pool trading systems; the removal of
  barriers to the free movement of capital; and
  the international regulations on money
  laundering. [2]
  2. Developments in international trade and
  finance
  Demonstrate an awareness of new
  developments in the macroeconomic
  environment, assessing their impact upon the
  organisation, and advising on the appropriate
  response to those developments both internally
  and externally. [2]
  3. Developments in Islamic financing
  Demonstrate an understanding of the role of,
  and developments in, Islamic financing as a
  growing source of finance for organisations;
  explaining the rationale for its use, and
  identifying its benefits and deficiencies.[2]
  ? ACCA 2014 All rights reserved.
  14
  SUMMARY OF CHANGES TO P4
  There are changes to the syllabus to reflect the latest business and educational developments affecting this
  paper. These are summarised in the table below.
  ACCA periodically reviews its qualification syllabuses so that they fully meet the needs of stakeholders such as
  employers, students, regulatory and advisory bodies and learning providers.
  Section and subject area Syllabus content
  New A5b) added b) Assess and advise on the impact of investment
  and financing strategies and decisions on the
  organisations' stakeholders, from an integrated
  reporting and governance perspective
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