FAR
Core sectionFinancial 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.
Last updated 5 September 2026
Topics
| # | Topic | Study | Revise | Practice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Conceptual Framework & Financial Statement Presentation The FASB's conceptual framework, qualitative characteristics, and the required financial statements. | → | → | 2 MCQs |
| 2 | Balance Sheet & Income Statement Preparation Classified balance sheet structure, multi-step income statement, and discontinued operations presentation. | → | → | → |
| 3 | Statement of Cash Flows Direct vs indirect method, and classifying activities as operating, investing, or financing. | → | → | → |
| 4 | Notes, Subsequent Events & Going Concern Recognized vs non-recognized subsequent events and management's going-concern evaluation. | → | → | → |
| 5 | Revenue Recognition (ASC 606) The 5-step revenue model: contracts, performance obligations, transaction price, allocation, and recognition timing. | → | → | 3 MCQs |
| 6 | Cash, Receivables & Bad Debts Cash equivalents, the CECL expected-credit-loss model, and factoring receivables. | → | → | → |
| 7 | Inventory Cost flow assumptions, lower of cost and net realizable value, and the periodic vs perpetual systems. | → | → | 2 MCQs |
| 8 | Property, Plant & Equipment Capitalization, depreciation methods, subsequent expenditures, and asset impairment. | → | → | 2 MCQs |
| 9 | Intangible Assets & Goodwill Finite vs indefinite-lived intangibles, R&D costs, and the goodwill impairment test. | → | → | → |
| 10 | Investments (Debt & Equity Securities) Classifying and measuring debt securities (HTM, trading, AFS) and the equity method for significant influence. | → | → | → |
| 11 | Leases (ASC 842) Lessee finance vs operating leases, right-of-use assets, and lease liability measurement. | → | → | 2 MCQs |
| 12 | Current Liabilities, Contingencies & Commitments Accrued liabilities, loss contingency recognition thresholds, and warranty accounting. | → | → | → |
| 13 | Long-Term Debt (Bonds & Notes) Bond issuance at premium/discount, effective-interest amortization, and troubled debt restructuring. | → | → | → |
| 14 | Equity & Earnings Per Share Stock transactions, treasury stock, and basic vs diluted EPS calculations. | → | → | 2 MCQs |
| 15 | Income Taxes (Deferred Tax Accounting) Temporary differences, deferred tax assets/liabilities, and the valuation allowance. | → | → | 3 MCQs |
| 16 | Accounting Changes & Error Corrections Change in principle, estimate, and entity, plus prior-period error correction. | → | → | → |
| 17 | Business Combinations & Consolidations Acquisition method basics, goodwill calculation, and noncontrolling interest. | → | → | 2 MCQs |
| 18 | Not-for-Profit Accounting Net asset classification and contribution recognition for nonprofit entities. | → | → | → |
| 19 | Governmental Accounting Fund accounting basics and the modified accrual basis used by governmental funds. | → | → | → |
| 20 | SEC Reporting, Segments & Interim Reporting Operating segment identification and the integral-view approach to interim financial reporting. | → | → | → |