ACCA BT study guide
ACCA BT · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
Business and Technology (BT) is an ACCA Applied Knowledge exam that introduces how businesses operate effectively, efficiently and ethically, and it shows the critical role finance professionals play in achieving this. It is aimed at students beginning the ACCA Qualification, including school leavers, graduates and career changers who are building a foundation in business and finance before progressing to the more technical exams that follow it in the qualification structure. The syllabus places business firmly in the context of its environment. You will look at economic, legal and regulatory influences on areas such as governance, employment, health and safety, data protection and security, as well as the internal organisation of a business and the people who work in it. The ACCA BT study guide has 4 sections and about 1,028 words.
01Business organisation structure, governance and management
Organisation structure is the pattern of authority, responsibility and communication. Candidates must know hierarchy, the scalar chain (line of command), span of control (number of direct reports), tall versus flat structures, centralisation versus decentralisation and formalisation.
282 words, about 1 min02Key environmental influences on business
PESTEL scans macro-environmental factors: political, economic, social, technological, environmental and legal. Porter's Five Forces assesses industry attractiveness through rivalry, threat of new entrants, threat of substitutes, supplier power and buyer power.
249 words, about 1 min03Business functions, technology and data
Core functions include marketing, finance, human resources, operations and procurement. Porter's value chain separates primary activities (inbound logistics, operations, outbound logistics, marketing and sales, service) from support activities (procurement, technology development, HR management, firm infrastructure).
266 words, about 1 min04Leadership, management and teams
Leadership is influencing others to achieve goals; management is planning, organising, controlling and coordinating resources. Trait theory assumes leaders are born; behavioural theories (for example Blake and Mouton's grid) focus on concern for people and production; contingency and situational theories (Fiedler; Hersey-Blanchard) say the best style depends on the situation and follower readiness.
231 words, about 1 min