4 P’s

Marketing Mix

Product

The product management and product marketing aspects of marketing deal with the specifications of the actual goods or services and how it relates to the end-user’s needs and wants.

Pricing

The process of setting a price for a product including discount

Promotion

Refers to the various methods of promoting the product/service, brand or company which includes advertising, sales promotion, publicity and personal selling.

Placement

The locations for distribution, which explains how the products get to the customer

COURSE SYLLABUS

The Diploma programme has a modular design.Each module covers two subject areas:

1 INTERPRETATION OF FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Aim

The overall aim of this paper is for candidates to understand and interpret the financial statements produced by organisations for external users. Candidates should develop an understanding of the regulatory framework in which these statements are prepared and of the principles and methods which underlie their preparation.

Objectives
On completion of this paper candidates should be able to:

• describe the role and function of external financial reports and identify their users and the regulatory framework in which they are prepared
• explain the accounting concepts and conventions present in generally accepted accounting practice
• explain, supported by simple computations, the presentation, measurement and meaning of the primary financial statements and their contents
• describe the informational role of the constituent parts of a corporate annual report usually presented in addition to the primary financial statements
• compute, interpret and appraise financial performance, financial position and adaptability as revealed by financial statement analysis, particularly by the use of financial and accounting ratios.

2 PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT

Aim
To develop a good understanding of the knowledge required and techniques available to enable managers to measure and manage business performance within their organisation. Both financial and non- financial measures of performance are included in this paper.

Objectives
On completion of this paper candidates should be able to:

• understand how performance measures should be linked to overall organisation strategy
• prepare budgets and use them to control and evaluate organisational performance
• identify and apply techniques that aid decision-making to maximise financial performance
• identify and implement appropriate costing systems and business control systems
• identify and apply techniques to evaluate decisions in relation to costing, pricing, product range, marketing strategy, purchasing and production strategies
• identify and apply non-financial performance measures, and understand the inter-relationships between different performance measures
• understand the behavioural and organisational consequences of using performance measurement and performance management techniques
• identify and apply techniques for evaluating the performance of divisions
• identify and understand issues that may cause performance to fall short of expectations, such as actions of competitors, labour disputes, supply problems, foreign exchange movements and late payment.

3 FINANCIAL STRATEGY

Aim
To develop an understanding of the role of financial strategy in the investment, finance and resource allocation decisions within an organisation.

Objectives
On completion of this paper, candidates should be able to:

• explain the role and nature of financial strategy and its relationship to shareholder value
• identify the main elements of investment appraisal
• evaluate long-term decision opportunities through the use of appropriate techniques
• identify and evaluate the major sources of finance available to an organisation
• explain the role of capital markets in raising finance
• discuss the main methods of managing working capital and analyse working capital policies
• evaluate the motives for, and financial implications of, mergers and acquisitions
• discuss the impact of taxation and inflation on financial strategy decisions.

4 RISK MANAGEMENT

Aim
To achieve a sound appreciation of the theoretical and practical aspects of corporate governance, and to develop an understanding of the main theories and frameworks associated with the management of both financial and non-financial risk.

Objectives
On completion of this paper, candidates should be able to:

• explain the drivers behind an organisation’s appetite and consequent policy for managing risk
• identify the main types of financial risk and evaluate the mechanisms available for managing exposure to them
• discuss the various tools and techniques for identifying, measuring and communicating risk
• discuss the importance of internal control in the management of risk
• describe the various frameworks and codes enshrining good governance practice
• explain the role of individuals and committees in implementing and reporting on good governance.

HOW MUCH IT WILL COST

The following fees are applicable in 2008 (and are subject to change without written notice)

* £55 registration / £185 study material

HOW TO REGISTER

Registration can take place at any time, however if you wish to take part in specific paper-based examination sessions, the following deadlines apply:

Click to this link: http://www.accaglobal.com/join/register/post

About ACCA Diploma in Financial Management:

• The Diploma in Financial Management (DipFM) superseded the Certified Diploma in Accounting and Finance as the internationally recognised management qualification in Financial Management.

• The DipFM (first introduced by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants-ACCA in 2002) is not designed for accountants, but to provide managers with the financial skills they need to make the right decisions.

• The Diploma is assessed by 2 examinations and 2 projects. The examinations are held by ACCA at sittings in June and December.

• Upon successful completion of the examinations and projects, a student is eligible to become a Diploma Holder and entitled to use the designatory letters DipFM.

• This course presents a unique opportunity to achieve an internationally recognised qualification within 12 months

• The course is also open to those who simply want to prepare for their second career, but do not wish to sit the examinations.

Requirements:

• The minimum entry requirement for the Diploma is an ACCA recognised Degree, Higher National Certificate (HNC) / Diploma (HND) and/or membership of a non-accounting professional body.

• Individuals who do not hold these qualifications may be admitted on the basis of their work experience. In these circumstances, you are normally required to be at least 23 years old and you should be able to demonstrate, with an employer?s reference, that the Diploma will be relevant to your work. If you are self-employed, a reference from an accountant, solicitor/attorney or bank manager will be required.

• No exemptions are awarded from the Diploma in Financial Management, irrespective of the qualifications held.

• Although it is not necessary for delegates to have any prior financial or accounting knowledge it is essential that they have good communication and numeracy skills

• Develops practical understanding of finance

• There is no time limit to completing the Diploma.It is possible to complete the course after just one year’s study.
• Study at own covenience re:full time, part time or evenings
• Is more cost effective than conventional training course.
• Provides a springboard to further study.One of the major benefits of studying for the Diploma is that it is recognized by a number of leadng universities as covering up to a third of their MBA programms. This means that on qualifying with the Diploma, this can accelerate entry to many of these programmes.