CMA Final Paper 13 study plan

Build a one-page map of cost classifications (fixed/variable, direct/indirect, relevant/irrelevant, sunk, opportunity) and label each with a decision context where it changes the answer

Derive and apply CVP formulas: breakeven in units and revenue, target profit, margin of safety, and degree of operating leverage, solving 15 numeric problems from scratch

Distinguish absorption from variable costing and compute the reconciliation of operating income when inventory levels change

Construct a simple linear regression cost function from a 12-month data set (high-low and least squares) and interpret R-squared and standard error

Draft a personal list of the five cost terms you most often confuse, with a one-line correction for each

Apply relevant-costing logic to five short decision scenarios (special order, make-or-buy, sell-or-process-further, keep-or-drop, constrained resource) and justify each recommendation in three sentences

Compute optimal product mix under a single bottleneck using contribution margin per unit of the constraint

Evaluate a capital budgeting case using NPV, IRR, payback, and profitability index, and explain where the methods disagree

Build a transfer pricing decision table covering market-based, cost-plus, and negotiated methods, including the effect on divisional and corporate profit

Identify and correct the three most common errors in relevant-costing answers (including sunk costs and allocated fixed overhead)

Compute WACC from component costs (debt after tax, preferred, common equity via CAPM and dividend growth) and state the assumptions behind each input

Value a firm using FCFF and FCFE discounted cash flow models, building a five-year forecast with a terminal value

Apply relative valuation using P/E, EV/EBITDA, and P/B, and explain when each multiple misleads

Analyze the effect of capital structure changes on WACC, firm value, and financial risk using a simple levered recapitalization example

Explain the trade-off, pecking order, and signaling theories of capital structure and match each to a realistic corporate scenario

Compute working capital metrics (cash conversion cycle, DSO, DIO, DPO) and quantify the cash released by a stated improvement in each component

Evaluate a lease-versus-buy decision and a dividend-versus-buyback decision using quantitative criteria

Analyze foreign exchange exposure (transaction, translation, economic) and describe two hedging instruments with their costs

Assess merger and acquisition value creation: compute synergies, premium paid, and accretion/dilution on EPS

Summarize the main financial distress and restructuring options and their effect on claimholders

Build a COSO-based internal control matrix for a purchase-to-pay cycle, listing control activity, assertion addressed, test procedure, and deficiency indicator

Distinguish inherent, control, detection, and audit risk, and explain how each affects the nature, timing, and extent of testing

Classify at least ten fraud red flags using the fraud triangle and describe one preventive and one detective control for each

Apply a code of ethics to four dilemma scenarios using a structured decision framework, documenting stakeholders and alternatives

Map governance mechanisms (board composition, audit committee, independence, whistleblowing) to the agency problems they mitigate

Design a balanced scorecard for a named business with two objectives per perspective, one measure each, and a target and initiative

Compute and interpret ROI, residual income, and EVA for a division, and explain how each drives different managerial behavior

Analyze a variance report decomposing profit variance into price, volume, mix, and cost components

Evaluate responsibility center design (cost, revenue, profit, investment) and identify two dysfunctional behaviors each design can create

Describe how incentive plan design (weighting, caps, clawbacks, subjectivity) affects risk-taking and short-termism

Classify the core enterprise systems (ERP, CRM, SCM, data warehouse, BI) by function and describe one control risk for each

Analyze a data set using descriptive statistics and a trend or correlation analysis, and state one limitation of the conclusion

Distinguish predictive, prescriptive, and diagnostic analytics and match each to a finance use case

Evaluate a digital transformation business case covering process automation, cloud migration, and cybersecurity spend, including ROI and risk

Identify IT general controls and application controls relevant to financial reporting integrity

Complete two full-length timed mock exams under exam conditions and record score by domain

Re-teach the five weakest topics from memory on blank paper, then verify against source material and correct errors

Consolidate a two-page formula and framework sheet covering all six domains

Practice written-response structure: define, apply, conclude, in under eight minutes per answer

Set a final-week schedule that allocates remaining hours to the two lowest-scoring domains