Accounting Grade 12 Exam Guidelines and Scope for 2026: Preparing for the Accounting Grade 12 final exams in 2026 requires a clear understanding of the curriculum focus and the specific weightings of each paper. While the official 2026 Department of Basic Education (DBE) examination timetable is yet to be released, the Exam Guidelines provide a consistent roadmap for learners to master the CAPS curriculum.
The Accounting exams are structured into two complementary papers. Paper 1 focuses primarily on Financial Reporting and Evaluation, while Paper 2 delves into Managerial Accounting, Internal Auditing, and Control. Using these guidelines ensures you are studying the right content to achieve top marks.
Download Accounting Grade 12 Exam Guidelines (PDF)
Access the official guidelines to streamline your revision for the 2026 academic year:
- Download Accounting Grade 12 Exam Guidelines 2025-2026 (English)
- Download Accounting Grade 12 Exam Guidelines 2025-2026 (Afrikaans)
For more comprehensive support, visit the My Courses homepage or explore the dedicated Grade 12 Study Resources section for past papers and notes.
Paper 1: Financial Reporting & Evaluation
Focus: The financial performance and position of companies.
Paper 1 tests your ability to prepare, analyse, and interpret financial statements. You must be proficient in applying GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) and IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards).
Scope for Paper 1 Includes:
- Company Concepts: Accounting equations and unique ledger accounts for companies.
- Final Accounts: Preparation of the Income Statement, Balance Sheet (with notes), and the Statement of Cash Flows.
- Asset Management: Valuation of fixed assets, depreciation methods, asset disposal, and inventory valuation (FIFO vs. Weighted Average).
- Interpretation: Analysis of published audit reports and financial indicators.
- Ethics & Governance: Corporate governance, King IV principles, and legislation governing companies.
Key Financial Indicators to Master: Gross profit on sales/cost of sales; Net profit on sales; Operating expenses/profit on sales; Current and Acid-test ratios; Stock turnover rate; Debtors’ collection and Creditors’ payment periods; Solvency and Debt-equity ratios; Return on shareholders’ equity (ROSHE); Return on total capital employed (ROTCE); Net asset value (NAV) per share; Earnings per share (EPS) and Dividends per share (DPS).
Paper 2: Managerial Accounting, Internal Auditing & Control
Focus: Costing, budgeting, and internal oversight.
Paper 2 is designed to test problem-solving skills and the ability to use financial data for business decision-making and control.
Scope for Paper 2 Includes:
- Reconciliations: Bank, debtors, and creditors reconciliations including age analysis.
- Cost Accounting: Manufacturing concepts, cost statements, and unit cost analysis.
- Budgeting: Cash Budgets and Projected Income Statements for sole traders and companies.
- VAT: Input and output VAT calculations.
- Internal Control: Audit processes for cash, assets, inventories, and expenses.
- Inventory Systems: Perpetual and periodic stock systems.
Key Financial Indicators to Master: Break-even point; Gross profit on cost of sales; Net profit on sales; Operating expenses and profit on sales; Stockholding period; Debtors’ collection and Creditors’ payment periods.
Conclusion: Preparing for 2026 Success
The Accounting Grade 12 Exam Guidelines for 2026 are your best tool for organized revision. By mastering the distinction between the reporting focus of Paper 1 and the managerial focus of Paper 2, you can allocate your study time effectively.
Don’t wait for the final timetable to begin—start practicing with past exam papers and financial indicator calculations today. For further assistance and updated study material, keep checking My Courses, your partner in South African matric success.
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