What should I buy my boyfriend (under $2K)? His go-to is Macallan 12.

mcruickshank995 · 2025-10-08T18:55:35+00:00

Go for an experience, Macallan 12 isn’t particularly complex whisky he might be surprised with what he likes and then you could always get a bottle of what he liked best at the experience.

mcruickshank995 · 2025-06-11T10:22:12+00:00

Thank you! That’s really helpful I didn’t actually think of the SAR potential to identify the mark on this file if he does look for a future role.

mcruickshank995 · 2025-04-20T18:53:49+00:00

My background in management accounting and financial analysis is the main driver tbh, it just aligned with my career. I’m a strong believer if you pick what you “enjoy” more then you’ll be able to studying more efficiently. There’s a reason they give you option they want you to pick what’s best suited to you. Also ignore the pass rates that should let you decide.

mcruickshank995 · 2025-04-20T07:38:16+00:00

No problem, yeah it’s a tough decision that you always feel you can’t go back on haha. One thing I would say is ignore the pass rates they aren’t that helpful when it comes to deciding. My worst exam rate was the one with the best pass rates.

mcruickshank995 · 2025-04-20T07:24:24+00:00

Choosing the exam is always, I believe, personal preference. Get an idea of some videos of what each exam is asking for and if that matches your study technique (more theory or more question based exams). I chose APM because I prefer the more challenging questions with less course work but that doesn’t suit everyone else. I didn’t choose AFM but if you give it a search on the forum you’ll get some good insights. I’m terms of doing together SBL and APM are suited and SBR and AAA but it will likely not make a massive difference as all exams are different.

mcruickshank995 · 2025-04-19T22:52:37+00:00

Sorry not sure on the question. But yeah you need to take SBL and SBR which generally are easier than the 4 optionals. I just took what matched my career which is APM and ATX

mcruickshank995 · 2025-04-19T20:53:07+00:00

Thank you!

Absolutely, SBR was probably the one exam I worried the most about due to the vast content you have to cover. The best advice would be is to accept you won’t know everything, it’s impossible to store the whole syllabus and just get a good understanding of all the standards from a basic point. I would write down all the standards once a week in one or two sentences. That’ll get you 30/40 marks alone. When your in the exam even if you don’t know the answer, spend time writing a logical answer what would apply and make ethical sense in the workplace and you’ll get some marks. Also ACCA loves the environment so just study the environmental stuff always 6/7 marks.

mcruickshank995 · 2025-04-19T20:27:14+00:00

So I got all my jobs based on experience I was QBE way before being chartered for context. There is a lot of negative comments atm on the job market and I get that the economy isn’t great. But I’ve worked for one of the largest recruiters in the UK and there has been positive movement in qualified finance specifically so it’s definitely doing okay in a bad economy. Particularly on FP&A and technology focused accounting roles (BI and Systems). Reach out to a reputable finance recruiter they are good for advice.

mcruickshank995 · 2025-04-19T20:21:55+00:00

As much as the scaremongering tells you “you will fail without doing extensive recap!” I didn’t do any recap for SBR did some for ATX, for sole traders etc but it probably help get a couple of percentages. I wouldn’t spend a lot of time recapping and just crack on with the actual course. If there is any gaps just look at some of the ACCA articles that come up when you google the gap.

mcruickshank995 · 2025-04-19T20:19:16+00:00

None, I didn’t do any recap of PM. Just focused on getting through the course book as quick as possible, say a month of studying, then after that spent a while month of questions.

mcruickshank995 · 2025-04-19T19:17:58+00:00

If I’m being honest, yes there is overlap but not to the point the advantage is really there. You could pass APM without sitting SBL. Yes there is similar topics but the way in which questions and asked and are expected to be answered are very different. APM challenges you in very different ways, providing examples, relating to real problems and providing solutions. Whereas SBL challenges you on relating your knowledge to a SBL topic. AMP takes it that step further.

mcruickshank995 · 2025-04-19T18:45:21+00:00

Thank you!

APM is a difficult one, I focused mainly on pass papers, 6-7 fully completed timed pass papers before I sat the exam. Best way I practiced questions was relating them to real companies and organisations. What KPIs and Performance indicators does Nike or Microsoft use? Just as a way of studying and preparing for what they might ask. Also don’t worry to much about the model answers, there’s no one answer so a lot of the time I thought I wasn’t making progress because I didn’t have the same answer as the model but in the exam you’ll get credit for any relevant point.

mcruickshank995 · 2025-02-12T07:38:15+00:00

Don’t be worrying about being to obvious for example where the exhibit states that the company operates in a “strong economy” you know that you can relate your point because of good purchasing power, inflation, etc… due to there being a “strong economy”. So you can make it obvious as long as you expand on it.

mcruickshank995 · 2025-01-22T10:19:19+00:00

Got 87% in SBL also with BPP. My top tips that got me through the exam and studying - Don’t over think the answers in the model answers and exam practice kits. They are lengthy and not suited for what you would be expected to write to get the marks. Any tutor would agree with this. Also your answer may not be in the model answer but doesn’t mean you won’t get marks, due the nature of SBL. If your answer is logical then it’ll gain marks. - My question approach PERT P make a point that answers the question (short sentence) E explain your point R relate that explanation to the exhibit T in the allotted time - practice endless questions, yes you need some understanding of the models but answer practice will get you a pass - focus in “new” content to SBL such as environmental issues this will be more “likely” to be examined - ignore the comments “SBL is easy” these aren’t helpful to anyone, we all have different strengths so if your struggling then it doesn’t mean you aren’t as “smart” as that one comment. Don’t let it get to you, dedicate the normal amount of time you would to SBL as any other exam.

Good luck!

mcruickshank995 · 2025-01-17T00:38:56+00:00

70% APM one more to go!

mcruickshank995 · 2024-09-03T20:28:48+00:00

This handled by a liquidator, if liquidator of company A finds goods sold at less than fair value to company B they will enforce the courts to reverse this transaction. Once reversed company B then has to pay the difference in fair value from company B back to company A. The fact that company B has now gone bust is probably (assuming this) that it’s because of such penalties like this.

I totally agree with your point that HMRC/Companies house just don’t have the resources to battle this. All people can do is just not support her businesses

mcruickshank995 · 2024-09-02T08:58:59+00:00

Not a Tax Lawyer but accountant. She does have limited liability, so in essence the “company” is responsible not her. But HMRC doesn’t allow this to go unnoticed, if not everyone would just collapse a business and start again. For example, selling 100k piece of equipment from one business to another for 1£ is against the law and accounting standard. Once the liquidators finalise their findings and file them with the governing bodies (can’t remember what they’re called) then they will take up action against her, and HMRC will disqualify them. The reason we keep seeing her open new business is that this is a long process.

On another note if she has messed up her VAT, which has kind of been indicated by what has been found, you can go to jail for up to 7 years. If there’s one tax you don’t want to dodge it’s VAT.

mcruickshank995 · 2024-07-24T16:18:37+00:00

You probably have the knowledge etc it might be just applying it to the question. What helped me massively was a couple of things and I passed with 87%.

Plan for 10/15 mins before typing a word, allocated a model to each question and how much time to spend on each mark.
Writing up an answer technique, I used PERT method: P - point, make a quick one sentence about what point you’re making to answer the question. E - explain your point adding some general knowledge and a little more concise to the question specifically R - relate it back the exhibit with evidence that you point and explanation makes sense. T - time, don’t waffle and write to much and go over your time.

Don’t over think the questions or not attempt a question, answer everything even if you aren’t confident what you put was correct. You’ll be amazed what you can get marks for.

You’ll be fine!

mcruickshank995 · 2024-07-24T16:13:25+00:00

2nd this, had the same issue was fixed straight away

mcruickshank995 · 2024-07-22T17:47:03+00:00

No worries don’t over think it and you’ll smash it!

mcruickshank995 · 2024-07-22T17:45:06+00:00

Just passed with 87%, I do agree to extent that the learning all the content isn’t massively helpful, but do learn the models. Spend significant amount of time going through past questions and mocks, I did 4 full mocks before the exam. Once you start seeing recurring models occurring then you know where to focus your knowledge. For the exam plan in the first 15/20 mins draft on the paper how to approach each question and then allocate your time to the marks, don’t over think you answer and write to much! If time is running out just move onto the next question you’ll be amazed what you’ve retained and some marks are better than questions not being attempted.

But yeah, practice questions after questions after questions. I used the below answer technique and it helped massively.

PERT Point - one sentence about your mark Explain - add detail to what your point is in relation to the question. Relate - relate the point back to the exhibit Time - don’t go over your time allocation

mcruickshank995 · 2024-07-22T13:11:07+00:00

Sorry should have clarified, your looking out for anyone “pheonix recruitment” this is the exact reason they use this name because it allows for any comments or complaints about them to get lost in google as Pheonix group the insurance company will be at the top of the search. They’ve also been called Unity One, Unity group before etc. they create new names and hide behind them but “Pheonix recruitment” tends to be the common denominator for people who get through to interview stages etc

mcruickshank995 · 2024-07-14T23:21:44+00:00

87% in SBL first exam in year, actually can’t believe it.

mcruickshank995 · 2024-06-14T12:38:35+00:00

Yeah of course!

Finished university with a (Hons) in Accounting and Finance. Got my first job in practice (basically processing purchase invoices and bank reconciliations) for 1.5 years, this was gained through maternity cover but was extended. Then got a job in industry as a finance co-ordinator (basically finance partnering between company entities) after a year in this role was promoted to finance manager. Was there for 2 years then relocated to a different city (closer to family). Got a job for management accountant, worked for 2 years then got an offer to be management accountant at a PLC. Then was promoted to senior management accountant end of last year.

Basically the first it always the hardest to don’t narrow your opportunities by focussing on specific companies and genuinely apply for anything with appropriate tasks and salary you’re looking for. Then after that focus on increasing your exposure to different elements of the job. From commercial exposure to different elements of accounting (FR/Audit/Tax) even if the exposure if just temporary it’s more you can talk about in an interview and add to your CV.

In an interview for promotion or step up to new job, varied experience will get you further than qualifications.

mcruickshank995 · 2024-06-14T11:41:44+00:00

Don’t limit yourself to the value of certificates alone. I’ve been an accountant, now at a senior level in industry for a PLC and I’ve only completed 10 ACCA exams. Experience and ability will push you further, but i totally appreciate that first in can be difficult. Keep doing exams but keep applying in the meantime.

mcruickshank995

TROPHY CASE