Accounting - National 5
SCQF Framework
SCQF Level: 5
SCQF Credit Points: 24
Skills Framework
Delivering Centre
Vale of Leven Academy
Purpose and Aims
- The course helps candidates to understand and use financial information, allowing them to prepare accounting statements, and analyse, interpret and report on an organisation’s financial performance. The course enables candidates to:
- develop an awareness of the function that accounting performs in industry and society
- prepare, present, interpret and analyse accounting information
- apply a systematic approach to solving financial problems, by using the relevant accounting concepts and techniques
- apply information technology in accounting-related tasks
Recommended Entry
It would be beneficial if candidates have achieved the fourth curriculum level or equivalent qualifications and/or experience prior to starting this course.
Progression
This Course or its Units may provide progression to:
- Higher Accounting
- other qualifications in accounting or related areas
- further study, employment and/or training
Career Options
Further Information
Course Content
Financial accounting
Candidates develop skills, knowledge and understanding to prepare, interpret and analyse financial accounting information by using the relevant accounting concepts and techniques. This information is used by stakeholders to assess their organisation’s current financial position.
Management accounting
Candidates develop skills, knowledge and understanding of internal accounting information, and are able to prepare this using a range of basic accounting techniques. This information is used by management when making decisions about the future planning and control of their business.
Course Assessment Structure
Question paper 130 marks
The question paper gives candidates the opportunity to demonstrate:
- preparing and presenting a range of accounting statements
- selecting accounting information to determine business revenues, costs and profits
- evaluating business success on the basis of accounting information
- preparing, interpreting and analysing accounting information
- using accounting techniques to facilitate decision-making
- applying knowledge and understanding of fundamental accounting concepts and theories
The question paper has a total mark allocation of 130 marks. This is 72% of the overall marks for the course assessment. Approximately 10% (13 marks) of the paper will assess knowledge and understanding of accounting theory. It has two sections.
Section 1 is worth 70 marks and contains two 35-mark questions. Section 2 is worth 60 marks and contains four 15-mark questions.
Candidates have 2 hours to complete the question paper.
Assignment 50 marks
The assignment gives candidates the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to:
- prepare and present a range of straightforward accounting statements
- select straightforward accounting information to determine business revenues, costs and profits
- use ICT to produce and communicate straightforward accounting information in a range of contexts
- prepare a range of accounting information
- use accounting techniques, in familiar contexts, to facilitate decision-making
The assignment has a total mark allocation of 50 marks. This is 28% of the overall marks for the course assessment. It samples from both the financial and management accounting areas of study. All tasks are computer-based and completed using a spreadsheet application.
The assignment is set on an annual basis. It is a closed book assessment and is conducted under a high degree of supervision and control and is marked externally by the SQA. The assignment must be carried out in one 2 hour block.