ACCA Basic and Adv Performance Management (PM, APM) - 2026

I. Performance Management (PM)

The aim of PM is to develop knowledge and skills in the application of management accounting techniques to quantitative and qualitative information for planning, decision-making, performance evaluation, and control.

The syllabus for Performance Management (PM), builds on the knowledge gained in Management Accounting (MA) and seeks to examine students’ understanding of how to manage the performance of a business. It also prepares students for more specialist capabilities which are covered in Advanced Performance Management (APM).

A Management information systems and data analytics

1. Management information systems

2. Uses and control of information

3. Big data and data analytics

B Specialist cost and management accounting techniques

1. Activity-based costing

2. Target costing

3. Life-cycle costing

4. Throughput accounting

5. Accounting for environmental and sustainability factors

C Decision-making techniques

1. Relevant cost analysis

2. Cost volume profit analysis (CVP)

3. Limiting factors

4. Pricing decisions

5. Make-or-buy and other short-term decisions

6. Dealing with risk and uncertainty in decision-making

D Budgeting and control

1. Budgetary systems and types of budget

2. Analytical techniques in budgeting and forecasting

3. Standard costing

4. Material mix and yield variances

5. Sales mix and quantity variances

6. Planning and operational variances

7. Performance analysis

E Performance measurement and control

1. Performance analysis in private sector, public sector and not-for-profit organisations

2. Divisional performance and transfer pricing

3. Specific performance analysis issues in not-for-profit organisations and the public sector

F Employability and technology skills

II. Advanced Performance Management (APM)

The aim of APM is to apply relevant knowledge, skills and exercise professional judgement in selecting and applying strategic management accounting techniques in different business contexts to contribute to the planning, control and evaluation of the performance of an organisation and its strategic and operational development.

The Advanced Performance Management syllabus further develops key aspects introduced in Performance Management at the Applied Skills level.

A Strategic planning and control

1. Strategic management accounting

2. Performance hierarchy

3. Performance management and control of the organisation

4. Changes in business structure and management accounting

5. Environmental, social and governance factors

B Performance management information systems and developments in technology

1. Performance management information systems

2. Sources of management information

3. Recording and processing systems and technologies

4. Data analytics

5. Management reports

C Strategic performance measurement

1. Strategic performance measures in the private sector

2. Divisional performance and transfer pricing issues

3. Strategic performance measures in not-for-profit organisations

4. Non-financial performance indicators

5. The role of quality in management information and performance measurement systems

6. Performance measurement and strategic human resource management issues

7. Other behavioural aspects of performance measurement

D Performance evaluation

1. Alternative views of performance measurement and management

2. Strategic performance issues in complex business structures

E Professional skills

1. Communication

2. Analysis and evaluation

3. Scepticism

4. Commercial acumen

F Employability and technology skills