Overview
This subject primarily covers the economic and operating context of business and how the factors of competition, the behaviour of financial markets and government economic policy can influence an organisation. It also deals with the information available to assist management in evaluating and forecasting the behaviour of consumers, markets and the economy in general.
The focus of this syllabus is on providing candidates with an understanding of the areas of economic activity relevant to an organisation’s decisions and, within this context, the numerical techniques to support such decisions.
Summary of syllabus
Each subject is divided into a number of broad syllabus topics.
A percentage weighting is shown against each syllabus topic and is intended as a guide to the proportion of study time each topic requires.
It is essential that all topics in the syllabus are studied, as all topics will be examined.
| Weight |
Syllabus topic |
| 25% |
A. Macroeconomic and Institutional Context of Business |
| 30% |
B. Microeconomic and Organisational Context of Business |
| 20% |
C. Informational Context of Business |
| 25% |
D. Financial Context of Business |
Assessments
Format: computer based
Availability: on demand at any of the 5,500 Pearson VUE centres around the world
Length: 2 hours
Questions: BA1, BA2 and BA3 each contain 60 objective test questions, while BA4 contains 85 objective test questions.
Marking: computer marked
Results: provisional result available immediately followed by confirmation no more than 48 hours later
Further information
Objective Tests are comprised of a range of items including short multiple choice questions, number entry questions, drag and drop questions and other formats. In BA2 and BA3 short scenarios may be given to which one or more objective test questions relate.
Latest exam pass rates
Transition arrangements
The CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting (2011 syllabus) examinations will be available until 10 January 2017. Examinations based on the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting (2017 syllabus) will commence on 11 January 2017.
Some registered CIMA students will have passed examinations (or have been awarded exemptions from examinations) before 11 January 2017 based upon the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting (2011 syllabus) or earlier. Students will be given credits for subjects within the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting (updated syllabus), as shown in the table below.
Click on the relevant 2017 subject to download a transition guide, showing how syllabus content has moved between syllabi.