ACCA MA Formula Sheet
The key formulas for ACCA MA (Management Accounting) on a single A4 page, free to download and print. Built to the paper's current examinable scope.
MA Formula Sheet · PDF · 1 page · A4 · print-ready
Download the MA formula sheetThe formulas on the MA sheet
The full sheet, reproduced as text so you can revise on screen. Last checked September 2026. Spotted an error? Report it and it will be corrected.
Cost Behaviour — High-Low Method
- VC/unit = (High cost − Low cost) ÷ (High units − Low units)
- Fixed cost = Total cost − (VC per unit × Units)
Inventory Management
- EOQ = √(2CoD ÷ Ch)
- Co = order cost · D = annual demand · Ch = holding cost/unit/year
Contribution & Marginal Costing
- Contribution = Selling price − Variable costs
- C/S ratio = Contribution ÷ Sales revenue
- Absorption profit − Marginal profit = ΔInventory × FOAR
Breakeven Analysis
- BEP (units) = Fixed costs ÷ Contribution per unit
- BEP (revenue) = Fixed costs ÷ C/S ratio
- MoS % = (Budgeted − BEP sales) ÷ Budgeted sales × 100
- Target profit units = (FC + Target profit) ÷ Contribution/unit
Absorption Costing
- OAR = Budgeted overhead ÷ Budgeted activity level
- Under/over absorption = Absorbed OH − Actual OH
Material & Labour Variances
- Mat. price = (Std price − Actual price) × Actual qty purchased
- Mat. usage = (Std qty for AO − Actual qty used) × Std price
- Labour rate = (Std rate − Actual rate) × Actual hours paid
- Labour eff. = (Std hrs for AO − Actual hrs worked) × Std rate
- AO = actual output
Overhead Variances
- Var OH exp. = (Actual hrs × Std rate) − Actual variable OH
- Var OH eff. = (Std hrs for AO − Actual hrs) × Std rate
- Fixed OH exp. = Budgeted FOH − Actual FOH
- Fixed OH vol. = (Actual output − Budgeted output) × Std FOH/unit
- Fixed OH cap. = (Actual hrs − Budgeted hrs) × Std FOH rate
- Fixed OH eff. = (Std hrs for AO − Actual hrs) × Std FOH rate
Sales Variances
- Sales price = (Actual price − Std price) × Actual volume sold
- Sales volume = (Actual vol − Budgeted vol) × Std contribution/unit
Labour Ratios
- Efficiency = (Std hrs for actual output ÷ Actual hrs) × 100
- Capacity = (Actual hrs ÷ Budgeted hrs) × 100
- Activity = (Std hrs for actual output ÷ Budgeted hrs) × 100
Investment Appraisal
- Payback = Initial investment ÷ Annual cash inflow
- NPV = Σ discounted cash flows − Initial investment
- IRR ≈ L + [NPVL ÷ (NPVL − NPVH)] × (H − L)
- L = lower rate · H = higher rate
- Annuity factor = [1 − (1 + r)−n] ÷ r
- Perpetuity = 1 ÷ r
Performance Measurement
- ROI = Divisional profit ÷ Divisional net assets × 100
- Residual income = Divisional profit − (Net assets × Cost of capital)
Forecasting
- Regression: y = a + bx
- a and b values provided or derived from data given in the question
- Additive: Forecast = Trend ± Seasonal variation
- Multiplicative: Forecast = Trend × Seasonal variation
Summarising Data
- Mean (ungrouped) = Σx ÷ n
- Mean (grouped) = Σfx ÷ Σf
- Standard deviation σ = √[Σ(x − x̄)2 ÷ n]
- Standard deviation σ (grouped) = √[Σfx2 ÷ Σf − (Σfx ÷ Σf)2]
- Coeff. of variation = std dev ÷ mean
- Expected value = Σpx
How to use it
A formula sheet is a revision aid, not a substitute for practice. Reading formulas builds recognition; applying them under time pressure builds recall, and it's recall the exam tests. The most effective way to use this sheet is alongside questions: attempt a question first, then check the sheet only when you're stuck, rather than working with it open in front of you.
Print it and keep it beside you while you work through MA questions. Once you stop reaching for it, you know the formulas are in place.
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This sheet is an original compilation of standard formulas mapped to ACCA MA's current examinable scope. It is a revision aid only and is not a substitute for the official formulae and rates provided in your exam. Looking for another paper? See all ACCA formula sheets. GoQualified is not affiliated with ACCA.