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

Performance Management & Advanced Performance Management: Skills for Business Success

Performance Management (PM) equips you with the essential knowledge and skills to leverage management accounting techniques for effective business planning, informed decision-making, performance evaluation, and robust control. Building upon foundational Management Accounting (MA) principles, this course delves into how to strategically manage organizational performance. It's a crucial stepping stone for advanced capabilities explored in Advanced Performance Management (APM).

Key Topics in Performance Management:

• Management Information Systems & Data Analytics: Understand the power of data in business.
  • Management Information Systems: Learn how systems gather, process, and distribute information.
  • Information Uses & Control: Master effective information management practices.
  • Big Data & Data Analytics: Explore advanced analytical techniques for performance insights.
• Specialist Cost & Management Accounting Techniques: Gain expertise in advanced costing methods.
  • Activity-Based Costing (ABC): Accurately allocate costs based on activities.
  • Target Costing: Develop cost targets for new products and services.
  • Life-Cycle Costing: Analyze costs throughout a product's entire life.
  • Throughput Accounting: Focus on revenue-generating activities.
  • Environmental & Sustainability Accounting: Integrate environmental and social factors into accounting practices.
• Decision-Making Techniques: Develop frameworks for sound business choices.
  • Relevant Cost Analysis: Identify costs relevant to specific decisions.
  • Cost-Volume-Profit (CVP) Analysis: Analyze the relationship between costs, volume, and profit.
  • Limiting Factors: Identify constraints on production or sales.
  • Pricing Decisions: Develop effective pricing strategies.
  • Make-or-Buy Decisions: Evaluate the cost-effectiveness of internal vs. external production.
  • Risk & Uncertainty in Decision-Making: Apply techniques to manage risk.
• Budgeting & Control: Master financial planning and monitoring.
  • Budgetary Systems & Types: Understand different budgeting approaches.
  • Analytical Techniques in Budgeting & Forecasting: Improve forecasting accuracy.
  • Standard Costing: Establish benchmarks for performance evaluation.
  • Variance Analysis: Identify and analyze deviations from budgets and standards.
  • Material Mix & Yield Variances: Analyze variances in material costs and production efficiency.
  • Sales Mix & Quantity Variances: Analyze variances in sales mix and volume.
  • Planning & Operational Variances: Understand and manage variances in planning and operations.
• Performance Measurement & Control: Evaluate performance across different organizational types.
  • Performance Analysis (Private, Public, Non-Profit): Tailor performance measurement to different sectors.
  • Divisional Performance & Transfer Pricing: Evaluate performance at the divisional level and manage inter-divisional costs.
  • Performance Issues in Non-Profit & Public Sector: Address unique performance challenges in these organizations.

Advanced Performance Management (APM) builds upon these core concepts, focusing on strategic application and professional judgment.

Key Topics in Advanced Performance Management:

• Strategic Planning & Control: Align accounting with strategic goals.
  • Strategic Management Accounting: Apply accounting to support strategic decision-making.
  • Performance Hierarchy: Establish a clear framework for performance measurement.
  • Organizational Performance Management & Control: Integrate performance management into organizational processes.
  • Impact of Business Structure Changes: Adapt management accounting to evolving organizational structures.
  • Environmental, Social & Governance (ESG) Factors: Incorporate ESG considerations into performance management.
• Performance Management Information Systems & Technology: Leverage technology for enhanced performance insights.
  • Performance Management Information Systems: Design and implement effective systems.
  • Sources of Management Information: Identify and utilize relevant data sources.
  • Recording & Processing Technologies: Understand data capture and processing methods.
  • Data Analytics: Apply advanced analytics to extract meaningful insights.
  • Management Reporting: Develop clear and concise performance reports.
• Strategic Performance Measurement: Measure success at the strategic level.
  • Strategic Performance Measures (Private Sector): Define key performance indicators (KPIs) for strategic success.
  • Divisional Performance & Transfer Pricing Issues: Manage performance and costs across divisions.
  • Strategic Performance Measures (Non-Profit): Measure impact and effectiveness in non-profit organizations.
  • Non-Financial Performance Indicators: Incorporate non-financial metrics into performance measurement.
  • Quality in Management Information: Ensure the accuracy and reliability of performance data.
  • *Performance Measurement &