Anyone here who is a student of James Kwan MJF5C- Performance Mgt class?
F5 is such a hard module to comprehend for me. The last time I took F2 was like 1 year ago cuz I completed my F4,F6 & F7 first and totally lost my basics for F5 along the way...
Even though James revised the basic fundamentals of costing during the first class, I still have difficulties understanding. Whatsmore, I missed 3 of his lessons. Eeks. I wonder how am I gonna catch up now. (>.<)
Any tips on how to revise? Thanks!
F5 is really not that tough. Don't be cowed by what the lecturer tells you. He's like that. Make sure you have the syllabus guide as JK does go beyond the syllabus (to prepare you for P5). So you have to be disciplined to always check back.
Just go back to basics and ensure u have to have a clear picture of each concept from the onset i.e. small bits and pieces. E.g. Relevant costing, understand what is "relevance", its basically actual incremental cashflow & loss of opportunity (outflows) from the point a decision is taken. Then you will understand relevant labour costing etc. (read note at the end)
E.g. What is throughput acctg? Basically, it is to push for "sales" because in throughput acctg, the only variable costs are materials costs (Contrast with marginal & absorption)..
Technique is important. E.g. Spending all the time punching your calculator to get a end "total" with all the calculations for budgeting gets you 0.5 or 1 mark. While commentary earns you 3-5 marks.
Always set out your answers for each type of question in a similar way and hence be familiar with the flow of each type of question. in JK lectures/tutorials, redo the questions in "that" set format you are familiar with. (If I remembered correctly, there are instances his format changes according to the "suggested solutions", & I did them in the format I'm familiar with)
lastly, be disciplined & practise questions.
Note: attempt his assignments quickly, essay needn't be two three pages, get straight to the POINT. Imagine a 20qns assignment, each taking 1hr, you need 20hrs. If you're working, that's 5 nights of 4hr revision tied down to his PM, and you have F8 & F9 (assuming).
Get back to your basics and relearn those fundamentals now and don't be afraid of F5, its really not that tough.