Pass Your ACCA SBR Exam on The First Attempt
Vertex Learning Solutions 
Best Strategies to Pass ACCA Strategic Business Reporting (SBR)
Strategic Business Reporting (SBR) is not a typical financial reporting exam. It is less about crunching numbers and more about explaining, interpreting, and justifying accounting treatments in real-world scenarios.
Many students who did well in Financial Reporting (FR) are surprised by how much written analysis SBR demands. To pass, you must:
• Apply IFRS concepts to practical scenarios
• Explain the impact of transactions on financial statements
• Consider the needs of different stakeholders
• Demonstrate ethical and professional judgement
So, success in SBR is about thinking like a professional accountant, not just a student.
1. UNDERSTAND WHAT THE EXAMINER WANTS
The examiner is not testing your ability to memorize IFRS word for word. Instead, they expect you to:
• Explain the principles of a standard in simple, professional language
• Justify why a particular accounting treatment is appropriate
• Discuss how financial reporting affects stakeholders’ decisions
• Highlight ethical considerations where relevant
Tip: Examiner reports and technical articles are a goldmine. They show how marks are awarded and highlight the mistakes that cause students to lose easy marks.
2. SPECIAL FOCUS ON KEY STANDARDS
Although you should cover the entire syllabus, a special focus should be on the commonly tested standards listed below.
IAS 12 Tax
IAS 36 & IAS 38 – Impairment
IAS 37 – Provisions and Contingent Liabilities and Contingent Assets
IAS 38 - Intangible Assets
IAS 19 – Employee Benefits
IFRS 2 – Share-Based Payments
IFRS 9 – Financial Instruments
IFRS 15 – Revenue
IFRS 16 – Leases
IFRS 10 & IAS 28 – Group Accounting and Associates
Click to see the most comprehensive online course for ACCA SBR exam preparation
Instead of memorizing, learn the objective of the standards and how they impact the financial statements.
3. PRACTICE SCENARIO-BASED QUESTIONS REGULARLY
SBR is packed with long, scenario-based questions where you’ll need to:
• Identify the key accounting issues in the scenario
• Explain the correct treatment under IFRS
• Discuss the impact on financial statements
• Conclude with clear, professional advice
The best way to prepare is by practicing past exam questions. Don’t just read the answers—write them out under timed conditions and then compare with the model solutions.
4. LEARN TO WRITE LIKE A PROFESSIONAL ACCOUNTANT
A huge number of marks in SBR come from how well you explain rather than how many IFRS rules you know.
When answering:
• Use short, clear sentences
• Avoid copying definitions from a textbook—apply the standard to the scenario instead
• Link every point to the case given in the exam
• Use headings and bullet points only when they help clarity
Write your answers as if you are addressing a board of directors, rather than composing a classroom essay.
5. DON'T IGNORE ETHICS AND CURRENT ISSUES
Ethical dilemmas and current reporting developments are easy marks that many students skip. SBR often includes:
• Professional ethics in financial reporting
• Sustainability and Integrated Reporting
• Recent or upcoming changes in IFRS
Even basic, well-reasoned points on ethics and current issues can earn marks.
6. MANAGE YOUR EXAM TIME PROPERLY
The exam is split into
• Section A – Two long scenario questions worth 50 marks
• Section B – Two questions worth 25 marks each, often including current issues
A simple way to manage time is to spend 1.8 minutes per mark. Please ensure that you balance your explanations, avoiding over-elaboration on one part and hurrying through the rest. Even a short, relevant point is better than leaving a blank.
7. Use ACCA’s Free Resources
ACCA provides you everything you need to understand how SBR is tested:
• Past exam papers with detailed solutions
• Examiner’s reports that explain common mistakes
• Technical articles that simplify complex topics
• The CBE (computer-based exam) practice platform
If you use these resources well, you’ll know exactly what to expect in the exam.
8. STUDY SMART WITH A SIMPLE PLAN
Instead of last-minute cramming, build a routine. For example:
• Revise key IFRS standards and ethics
• Practise shorter questions on individual topics
• Attempt full past papers under exam conditions
• Review weak areas, read examiner reports, and polish your written style
FINAL THOUGHT: PASS YOUR ACCA SBR EXAM ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT!
SBR is challenging because it’s designed to prepare you for real-life financial reporting decisions. However, with the right approach, passing is very achievable.
If you:
• Understand IFRS concepts rather than memorizing rules
• Practice scenario questions under timed conditions
• Focus on writing clear, professional answers
• Don’t neglect ethics and current reporting issues
…then you’ll walk into the exam with confidence.
Remember, the examiner is looking for a thinking accountant, not a textbook repeater. Treat the paper like you’re advising a real business, and you’ll do well.
Click to see the most comprehensive online course for ACCA SBR exam preparation
Categories: : ACCA
