SimplyCPA

FAR

Core section

Financial Accounting and Reporting

FAR tests your ability to prepare and analyze financial statements under US GAAP — from the conceptual framework through specific balance-sheet accounts and transactions. It's the broadest of the three Core sections and, for most candidates, the one requiring the most study time.

20 topics18 MCQsHard~140 hrs total study time Official Blueprint

Last updated 5 September 2026

Topics

#TopicStudyRevisePractice
1Conceptual Framework & Financial Statement Presentation

The FASB's conceptual framework, qualitative characteristics, and the required financial statements.

2 MCQs
2Balance Sheet & Income Statement Preparation

Classified balance sheet structure, multi-step income statement, and discontinued operations presentation.

3Statement of Cash Flows

Direct vs indirect method, and classifying activities as operating, investing, or financing.

4Notes, Subsequent Events & Going Concern

Recognized vs non-recognized subsequent events and management's going-concern evaluation.

5Revenue Recognition (ASC 606)

The 5-step revenue model: contracts, performance obligations, transaction price, allocation, and recognition timing.

3 MCQs
6Cash, Receivables & Bad Debts

Cash equivalents, the CECL expected-credit-loss model, and factoring receivables.

7Inventory

Cost flow assumptions, lower of cost and net realizable value, and the periodic vs perpetual systems.

2 MCQs
8Property, Plant & Equipment

Capitalization, depreciation methods, subsequent expenditures, and asset impairment.

2 MCQs
9Intangible Assets & Goodwill

Finite vs indefinite-lived intangibles, R&D costs, and the goodwill impairment test.

10Investments (Debt & Equity Securities)

Classifying and measuring debt securities (HTM, trading, AFS) and the equity method for significant influence.

11Leases (ASC 842)

Lessee finance vs operating leases, right-of-use assets, and lease liability measurement.

2 MCQs
12Current Liabilities, Contingencies & Commitments

Accrued liabilities, loss contingency recognition thresholds, and warranty accounting.

13Long-Term Debt (Bonds & Notes)

Bond issuance at premium/discount, effective-interest amortization, and troubled debt restructuring.

14Equity & Earnings Per Share

Stock transactions, treasury stock, and basic vs diluted EPS calculations.

2 MCQs
15Income Taxes (Deferred Tax Accounting)

Temporary differences, deferred tax assets/liabilities, and the valuation allowance.

3 MCQs
16Accounting Changes & Error Corrections

Change in principle, estimate, and entity, plus prior-period error correction.

17Business Combinations & Consolidations

Acquisition method basics, goodwill calculation, and noncontrolling interest.

2 MCQs
18Not-for-Profit Accounting

Net asset classification and contribution recognition for nonprofit entities.

19Governmental Accounting

Fund accounting basics and the modified accrual basis used by governmental funds.

20SEC Reporting, Segments & Interim Reporting

Operating segment identification and the integral-view approach to interim financial reporting.