{"id":185,"date":"2026-05-23T15:31:59","date_gmt":"2026-05-23T06:31:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gaap-bridge.com\/?p=185"},"modified":"2026-07-22T00:05:29","modified_gmt":"2026-07-21T15:05:29","slug":"acca-02-how-i-passed-acca-fr-while-working-full-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gaap-bridge.com\/?p=185","title":{"rendered":"ACCA 02 &#8211; Passing FR While Working Full-Time"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hello Everyone, this is Global CPA.??<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Today I would like to share how I prepared for the ACCA FR (Financial Reporting) exam that I took in December 2023 and what I learned from the experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">My FR Result<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<figure data-spectra-id=\"spectra-c0108f16-c830-4319-844b-6691d17c66ef\" class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"693\" height=\"139\" src=\"https:\/\/gaap-bridge.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/image-38.png?w=693\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-187\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I passed the FR exam with a score of 75.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Honestly, I was quite relieved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">FR consists of three sections, and Section A and Section B are primarily objective-style questions. Because of that, I approached the exam somewhat similarly to how I approached the USCPA exam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the time, I was still working full-time while going through interim audit work and operational testing. I also did not spend enough time practicing ACCA-style written responses with structured \u201cintroduction-body-conclusion\u201d writing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">My mindset was honestly quite simple:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI probably cannot master everything perfectly, so I should focus on understanding the core concepts as efficiently as possible.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fortunately, that strategy worked better than I expected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why I Chose OpenTuition<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After passing the USCPA in July 2023, I started thinking about what challenge I wanted to pursue next.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of my biggest concerns at that time was cost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I had already spent a significant amount of money preparing for the USCPA:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>exam fees,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>review courses,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>registration fees,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>study caf\u00e9s,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>and other expenses.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because of that, I promised myself that if I pursued another qualification, I wanted to study in a much more cost-efficient way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That was when I discovered <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/opentuition.com\/acca\/?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">OpenTuition<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">What surprised me the most was that such high-quality study materials were provided completely free of charge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Compared to the extremely expensive study environments surrounding KICPA or USCPA preparation, this felt almost unbelievable to me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">OpenTuition provides:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>free lecture notes,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>free video lectures,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>practice support,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>and exam-focused explanations<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">for ACCA and other professional qualifications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I also liked the fact that when I struggled to understand certain concepts from the notes alone, I could immediately watch the corresponding lectures on the official <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@opentuition?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">OpenTuition YouTube Channel<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Their motto is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe best things in life are free.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For an accounting qualification ecosystem, that almost felt strangely anti-capitalistic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Was OpenTuition Enough?<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Personally, I believe OpenTuition was more than sufficient for building core conceptual understanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Of course, students aiming for extremely high scores may prefer more comprehensive materials such as Kaplan or BPP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, for someone like me \u2014 a working professional with limited study time whose immediate goal was simply to pass efficiently \u2014 OpenTuition worked very well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In fact, one advantage was that the materials were concise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Instead of reading excessively detailed explanations, I was able to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>organize concepts quickly,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>move into past paper practice earlier,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>and focus on high-yield topics.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For FR, SBR, and even AFM, I personally found OpenTuition highly effective.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I think this is especially true for students who already have some familiarity with IFRS or US GAAP concepts through prior study or professional experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">ACCA Study Hub Was Surprisingly Useful<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Another resource I used heavily was the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/studymaterials.accaglobal.com\/account\/learning-hub\/my-learning\/in-progress?utm_source=chatgpt.com\">ACCA Study Hub<\/a> provided to ACCA students.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I found this platform surprisingly helpful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One thing I particularly liked was that it allowed me to review concepts almost like flashcards during commuting hours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The platform also included:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>practice questions,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>explanations,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>and model written answers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since English writing was one of my weaker areas, this became very useful because ACCA FR includes constructed-response questions unlike the mostly multiple-choice USCPA format.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">To practice written responses, I sometimes typed out model answers myself while studying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">My Study Timeline<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I studied for FR from early October to early December.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One thing I learned once again during this process is that my study efficiency is extremely honest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If I invest 10 units of effort, I get almost exactly 10 units of output \u2014 not much more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At first, I completely underestimated FR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Since I had:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>already studied KICPA,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>passed the USCPA,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>and worked with IFRS professionally,<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I foolishly imagined that I could quickly finish FR and maybe even prepare for SBR and AFM simultaneously for the December session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That fantasy disappeared after about two days of studying FR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even though the subject was based on IFRS, many concepts were approached differently from what I was used to in practice or Korean accounting education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Group Financial Statements, in particular, felt almost completely different from what I initially expected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Eventually, I realized I needed to focus entirely on FR for those three months and postpone SBR to a later session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Looking back now, that was definitely the correct decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>October: Concept Building with OpenTuition<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">During October, my primary goal was simple:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Finish the OpenTuition materials and fully understand the core concepts.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I repeatedly reviewed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>lecture notes,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>examples,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>and practice questions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Some of the topics I focused on most heavily included:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Group Financial Statements,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>PPE revaluation and impairment,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>cash flow statements,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>discontinued operations,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>financial instruments,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>and sale-and-leaseback transactions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because my study time was limited, I prioritized mastering the accounting treatment itself before moving aggressively into question practice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Personally, I believe financial reporting subjects are highly dependent on conceptual accounting accuracy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>November: Past Papers and Examiner\u2019s Reports<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After building conceptual understanding, I shifted almost entirely toward:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>past papers,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>mock exams,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>and Examiner\u2019s Reports.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One thing I genuinely liked about ACCA was how transparent the examination process felt.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Unlike many other qualification systems, ACCA examiners actively explain:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>common mistakes,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>marking expectations,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>and what strong answers should look like.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I found the Examiner\u2019s Reports especially valuable because they helped me understand how the examiners themselves think.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even though I only completed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>one full past paper,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>and one mock exam,<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I spent a significant amount of time reading multiple Examiner\u2019s Reports and organizing recurring mistakes into my notebook.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I also continued my usual habit of creating condensed handwritten summary notes while studying.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Exam Day Experience<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The exam day itself was surprisingly stressful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I was already used to taking exams at physical testing centers, but taking the ACCA exam remotely from home felt very unfamiliar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The webcam setup process alone took much longer than I expected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the time, I also did not realize that I needed to close my laptop while using an external monitor, so I ended up taking the entire exam on a 13-inch laptop screen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As someone used to studying and working on a 24-inch monitor, that was honestly painful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Still, I was simply happy to be able to sit for the exam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The multiple-choice sections went relatively smoothly, but Section C was much more difficult.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I spent far too much time reading and organizing my responses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although I managed the Group FS question reasonably well, I could not fully complete one PPE-related question before time ran out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Looking back, I think I underestimated how much Section C preparation was needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\" \/>\n\n\n\n<h1 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Final Thoughts<\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If I had to summarize my FR preparation strategy, it would look something like this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>OpenTuition for conceptual learning<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Past paper practice<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Examiner\u2019s Reports<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Condensed handwritten notes<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And perhaps most importantly:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Spend more time practicing Section C than you initially think you need.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I would especially recommend this approach for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>working professionals,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>students with prior accounting knowledge,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>or candidates with limited study time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For students completely new to accounting, more structured textbooks such as Kaplan or BPP may still provide a stronger foundation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Overall, however, I genuinely enjoyed the ACCA learning experience much more than I initially expected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I will continue sharing my experiences as I move forward with SBR and the rest of the ACCA journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Thank you for reading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hello Everyone, this is Global CPA.?? Today I would like to share how I prepared for the ACCA FR (Financial [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":276482313,"featured_media":181,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center 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