Pass Your SBR ACCA Exams with Tom Clendon

IAS 36: Goodwill and Impairment 22.05.2026 17min

Impairment… here we go again! In this episode, I revisit IAS 36, but this time we focus on one of the areas that students often find difficult: Goodwill Impairment. I walk through the key principles, explain why goodwill must be tested through a cash-generating unit (CGU), and tackle one of the biggest exam complications: the treatment of non-controlling interests (NCI).You’ll learn how goodwill impairment is tested in SBR questions, when impairment losses affect the parent and NCI, and why the measurement of NCI changes the calculation completely. Most importantly, I work through practical examples and journal entries so you can see exactly how the examiner expects you to approach this topic and pick up the marks in the exam.Thanks for listening to this episode of Pass Your SBR ACCA Exams with Tom Clendon.If you’d like to view the exam question on screen and see my working, subscribe to the YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@tomclendonSBR.For access to on-demand support and guidance for your ACCA SBR Journey, visit my website to see my current course offering: https://tomclendon.co.uk/.Chapters:(00:00) Introduction to goodwill impairment(01:02) Recap of IAS 36 impairment basics(02:30) Annual impairment review vs annual impairment loss(03:12) Goodwill impairment and the P&L treatment(04:41) Why goodwill is tested within a CGU(06:23) Goodwill, CGUs and exam application(06:54) NCI measurement and its impact on goodwill(08:54) Example 1: Full goodwill impairment (Bowie)(11:52) Accounting treatment and journal entries for full goodwill(12:52) Example 2: Partial goodwill impairment (Ziggy)(16:11) Journal entries and exam technique tips(17:31) Final exam advice and close

Impairment Basics in IAS 36 08.05.2026 26min

In this episode, I explain the basics of IAS 36 impairment. We start with the key idea: an asset is impaired when its carrying value is more than its recoverable amount. I’ll talk you through the terminology, the logic, and the numbers, so it starts to feel manageable rather than messy.You’ll learn how to calculate an impairment loss, how to account for it, and what happens when the asset has previously been revalued. We also look at reversals of impairment losses and one phrase I never want to see in an exam answer: “impairment gain”. Let’s face it, impairment gets examined, so let’s make sure you can pick up the marks.Thanks for listening to this episode of ACCA Tom Clendon’s SBR Podcast.If you’d like to view the exam question on screen and see my working, subscribe to the YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@tomclendonSBR.For access to on-demand support and guidance for your ACCA SBR Journey, visit my website to see my current course offering: https://tomclendon.co.uk/.Chapters:(00:00) IAS 36 impairment basics(01:21) When an asset is impaired(01:36) Recoverable amount: fair value vs value in use(03:32) Judgement and estimates in value in use(05:20) Calculating and recording an impairment loss(06:30) When to perform an impairment review(08:03) Links to IFRS 18, IAS 7 and IAS 12(12:03) Why IFRS 9 financial assets are different(12:33) No such thing as an impairment gain(13:44) Impairment of revalued assets(16:01) Reversal of impairment losses(17:01) Worked examples and exam technique

Determining Transaction Price and Variable Consideration in IFRS 15 24.04.2026 22min

In this episode, I take you back into IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers, but this time we zoom in on one of the trickiest areas: determining the transaction price.I walk you through the key complications: deferred consideration (time value of money), advance payments, and variable consideration. We start with the core principles, then build it up step by step using clear, practical examples — exactly the way you’ll see it in the exam.More importantly, you’ll learn how to turn this knowledge into marks. I show you how to deal with discounting, how to account for financing elements, and how to handle bonuses and penalties using expected value and most likely outcomes.Here’s the thing: this is where students often drop marks. If you’re struggling with how much revenue to recognise and when, this episode gives you a clear method to follow, so you can structure your answer, apply the rules properly, and pick up those easy, valuable marks.Thanks for listening to this episode of ACCA Tom Clendon’s SBR Podcast.If you’d like to view the exam question on screen and see my working, subscribe to the YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@tomclendonSBR.For access to on-demand support and guidance for your ACCA SBR Journey, visit my website to see my current course offering: https://tomclendon.co.uk/.Chapters(00:00) Introduction – Why transaction price matters for SBR(01:11) Recap of the 5-step revenue model(01:49) Determining the transaction price – key challenges(02:41) Deferred consideration – buy now, pay later(04:32) Time value of money and discounting(05:45) Unwinding the discount (finance income)(06:35) Advance payments – deferred income explained(08:17) Financing element in contract liabilities(09:20) Variable consideration – bonuses and penalties(10:46) Expected value vs most likely method(11:14) Worked example 1 – construction contract (expected value)(16:31) Year 2 adjustment and revenue true-up(17:53) Worked example 2 – service contract (most likely outcome)(21:50) Exam technique and key reminders

Calculating Revenue with the 5 Principles of IFRS 15 24.04.2026 14min

In this episode, I walk you through one of the most examinable areas in the exam: revenue under IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers. We start right from the basics, so you’re not left guessing, and build up to the core principles that underpin the standard.I talk through the five-step model, explain why revenue is such a high-risk area (especially from an audit perspective), and why simply memorising the steps won’t earn you marks in the exam.More importantly, I show you how to apply that knowledge to a real exam-style question. You’ll see exactly how to identify performance obligations, allocate the transaction price, and deal with timing issues (whether revenue is recognised at a point in time or over time).Thanks for listening to this episode of ACCA Tom Clendon’s SBR Podcast.If you’d like to view the exam question on screen and see my working, subscribe to the YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@tomclendonSBR.For access to on-demand support and guidance for your ACCA Journey, visit my website to see my current course offering: https://tomclendon.co.uk/.Chapters:(00:00) Why revenue matters for exam success(00:18) Episode overview and learning approach(00:51) Introduction to Zaakirah(01:12) What is revenue and why it’s high risk(01:47) Timing issues and manipulation risks(02:01) Introduction to IFRS 15 Revenue from Contracts with Customers(02:33) The five-step model explained(03:01) Step 1: Identifying the contract(03:18) Step 2: Identifying performance obligations(04:02) Step 3: Determining the transaction price(04:29) Step 4: Allocating the transaction price(05:06) Step 5: Recognising revenue (point in time vs over time)(05:53) Why memorising won’t earn marks(06:26) Moving to exam application(06:40) Understanding the exam requirement (5-mark question)(08:08) Identifying performance obligations in the scenario(10:12) Allocating revenue using stand-alone selling prices(11:20) Timing of revenue recognition(12:19) Calculating correct revenue figure(12:47) Correcting overstated revenue (exam technique)(13:27) Current vs non-current liability (deferred revenue)(13:39) Final exam tips and wrap-up

All about BSR - the new SBR from Sept 2027 01.04.2026 1min

From Sept 2027 SBR will be no more. The new ACCA exam will be Business and Sustainability Reporting (BSR). This short episode explains what will be the same and what will be different.

Climate change 101 (S2 is the standard) 18.12.2025 10min

Let me make sure you understand the very basic terminology around climate change and S2. Lend me your ears for ten minutes

Adam is an "accountability coach" 27.11.2025 10min

In this episode I talk to Adam Yannakakis - a recently qualified ACCA member - who is passionate about helping ACCA students by coaching them to be accountable for their studies!

The AFM exam with Andrew Mower 22.09.2025 9min

Whilst SBR is core you will also have to choose optional exams. And maybe you should think about doing AFM. In the episode I am joined by Andrew Mower, ACCA's expert AFM tutor and I quiz him about the AFM exam.

Provision for unrealised profits 09.07.2025 13min

Why and how do we make provision for unrealised profits (PUPs) when preparing group accounts! In this episode this is all explained and more!#singleentityconcept#impactonNCI

Intro to IFRS 18 Presentation and Disclosure in Financial Statements 16.06.2025 9min

IFRS 18 is a new standard that is now examinable at SBR. This edition of the podcast gives you an introduction and sets the scene!

PPE and IP and other issues 13.06.2025 8min

Lets make sure you understand the basics. Here I talk about IAS 16 Property Plant & Equipment and IAS 40 Investment Property - with an emphasis on explaining about revaluations!

A chat with Nikki Richmond about overcoming the challenges of studying 02.04.2025 10min

In this episode Nikki talks about the challenges that students face studying professional accountancy exams and the strategies that can be used to overcome them.

Intangible Assets (IAS 38) 27.03.2025 11min

A power ten minutes on this key standard - which has been called an anaolgue standard for a digitial age!

Pedley Smith's five top exam tips 07.02.2025 22min

Good students can fail exams! So I explored with my friend Stuart Pedly Smith his top five examination technique tips. Stuart is a very respected academic and lecturer who has researched extensively into how students learn.

Substance over form! 16.01.2025 8min

Substance over form is a key principle to understand. In this episode I explain the theory and show how it is applied in two different accounting standards as well as crowdfunding.

How to account for a 40% investment 22.11.2024 13min

Not as straight forward as you might think! In this episode I discuss and explain the various ways that a group will account for a 40% investment. You see it all depends.

All about Cash Flow 15.10.2024 9min

Cash flow - lets talk the basic principles, why investors like them and lets talk numbers. This is a topic you must be comfortable with.

Revaluation and Depreciation 19.09.2024 9min

"The basics" do get tested at SBR. This edition covers the principles and examples of depreciation and revaluation of PPE. So yes it is about IAS 16 PPE. Ten minutes. Please like and subscribe! More about SBR can be found at my website www.tomclendon.co.uk

Accounting for Sub-Leases 10.08.2024 8min

From Sept 24 this topic is examinable at SBR. So make sure you are up to date and listen to this edition and you might learn something about IFRS16 as well as my family tree!

About the option exam AAA 02.06.2024 9min

In this episode I talk with Ben Wilson about how AAA relates to SBR and why for many students it is a natural exam to do after SBR.