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Financial Analysis


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We have listed all of our support resources for Paper P8 Financial Analysis here.

If you are studying Paper P8 Financial Analysis use these downloads and guides to help you prepare for the exam.

Remember to begin your studies by looking at the syllabus for this subject – along with our syllabus guidance.

Visit CIMA Publishing for more study materials and resources to support this subject.

Important notes for P8 candidates

  • Leases - We have received a number of queries from candidates for Paper P8 Financial Analysis regarding whether or not leases are examinable in this paper. The examiner has stated that leases will not be examined and that the content of the CIMA Study System for Financial Analysis should be used, when in doubt, as a guide as to what is and what is not examinable.
  • IFRS 8 Operating Segments - All P8 candidates should note that although IFRS 8 Operating Segments was issued in November 2006, it is effective only for accounting periods beginning on or after 1 January 2009. IFRS 8 will not, therefore, be examinable in the 2008 Financial Analysis exams. Until 2009, IAS 14 Segment Reporting will be examinable instead.
  • Pooling of Interests - this method of consolidation was included in the syllabus for paper P8 Financial Analysis when it was launched in 2004 and first examined in 2005. This method has since been outlawed by the International Accounting Standards Board. Therefore it is no longer an examinable topic in this paper under syllabus section A Group Financial Statements and the learning outcomes (vii) and (viii).

All Managerial level candidates are reminded that the answers to all questions must be written in your answer book. This includes all Section A objective test sub-questions.

If candidates draft responses in the question paper then these should be transferred to the answer book before the end of the exam. It is assumed that all writings in the question paper are candidates' notes and therefore not to be considered by the marker. 

Read this article (PDF 173KB) and find out how we recommend you answer section A questions in your exam answer book.