AAA is a 3 hours 15 minutes exam of 100 marks in two sections. Every question is compulsory and the answers are largely written, though you may need to assess materiality and calculate ratios.
Length
3 hours 15 minutes
Section A
One 50-mark case study set at the planning stage: 40 technical and 10 professional skills marks
Section B
2 compulsory questions of 25 marks, each 20 technical and 5 professional skills marks
Completion and reporting
One Section B question is always mainly on completion, review and reporting
Pass mark
50% of 100 marks
Section A: a 50-mark case study
The case is set at the planning stage of an audit, for a single company, a group, or several audit clients. Expect extracts of financial information, strategic and operational information, and extracts from audit working papers, including the results of analytical procedures.
It carries 40 technical marks and 10 professional skills marks, and it examines all four professional skills. The requirements come mainly from syllabus areas A to D: planning, risk assessment, evidence, and ethical and professional matters. Any area except E can appear.
Section B: two 25-mark questions
Each is built on a short scenario that may involve more than one client, with 20 technical and 5 professional skills marks. Each examines at least two of analysis and evaluation, professional scepticism and judgement, and commercial acumen.
One question always comes mainly from area E: going concern, subsequent events, misstatements and their effect on the auditor's report, a critique of an auditor's report, or the matters for a report to management or those charged with governance. The other can come from areas A, B, C, D or F.
Ethics, quality and current issues
Quality management and ethics run through every stage of an audit, so they can appear in any question. Current issues are usually woven into a question rather than set on their own.
Sessions
The examinable documents for this syllabus cover the September 2026, December 2026, March 2027 and June 2027 sessions.
Try 3 questions
Short questions in the course’s own format, not ACCA’s: the exam itself is all written.
Question 1 · Course practice question · Planning and risk2 marks
Planning, materiality and risk
Dunmore Co makes kitchen appliances and has a year end of 31 December 2026. In November 2026 a competitor launched a cheaper range. To clear its stock, Dunmore Co has since cut the selling price of its older Model A range to below the cost of making it. Large quantities of Model A remain in the warehouse.
Which of these is a risk of material misstatement in Dunmore Co's financial statements, rather than only a business risk? (2 marks)
Question 2 · Course practice question · Ethics2 marks
Ethics: threats, safeguards and non-audit services
Belmont Co, an unlisted company audited by Selby & Co, has proposed that the audit fee be $80,000, plus a further $20,000 if Selby & Co's report on the financial statements is unmodified and signed by 31 March.
How should Selby & Co respond under the FRC Ethical Standard? (2 marks)
Question 3 · Course practice question · Reports2 marks
Auditor's reports and reporting to those charged with governance
Arden Co is an unlisted company with a year end of 31 December 2026. Materiality for the financial statements as a whole is $300,000. The directors refuse to correct four misstatements (ignore tax):
1. A receivable of $210,000 from a customer now in liquidation, with no prospect of recovery, has not been written off.
2. Utility costs of $90,000 for December 2026 have not been accrued.
3. Insurance of $50,000 paid in December 2026 for cover during 2027 was expensed in full.
4. Bank loan instalments of $400,000 due in 2027 are shown as non-current liabilities.
Arden Co reports net current assets of $520,000, and its bank and other users focus closely on that figure. There is no doubt about going concern, and the auditor has concluded that no misstatement, alone or with the others, is pervasive.
Which opinion should the auditor express? (2 marks)
Three hours and fifteen minutes, for 100 marks in two sections.
Does AAA have multiple choice questions?
No. The exam is a 50-mark case study and two 25-mark questions, all answered in writing. The short questions in this course are its own practice format.
What is the pass mark for AAA?
50%, the pass mark for all ACCA Qualification exams.
Is there always a question on auditor's reports?
One Section B question always comes mainly from completion, review and reporting, which includes going concern, subsequent events and the auditor's report.
Unofficial practice for the ACCA Advanced Audit and Assurance (AAA) exam, not affiliated with ACCA. ACCA is a trademark of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, which does not endorse this course. Every question here is original. No VAT is charged.