in the exam kits there is very little difference but in the study texts BPP tends to be more based in explanation where Kaplan uses the read the theory, try yourself, repeat with more complexity approach.
My learning style is very much based in practical application rather than pure rote learning (although you will never get away from a large amount of that), so for me the Kaplan study texts are better.
Also, you certainly get your moneys worth with the Kaplan text which is almost twice the size and weight of the BPP one. (BPP 3.2cm thick. Kaplan, 5.6 cm thick)... Putting that in context the Kaplan text is the same thickness as about 5 average yellow pages stacked on top of each other!
Worth noting that at this level they are not question banks but rather essays. The exam kits are collections of old ACCA exam questions brought up to date for the latest finance act.
Also worth noting before parting with any foldies is that you are not long away from the FA13 texts being released.
Officially it happens in August but the new books seldom hit general release from the publishers before December.
Here's a run down of the tax materials that you would find useful
Study Text : BPP or Kaplan are the best, as discussed above Kaplan is bigger with more practical examples
Exam kits : BPP and Kaplan are both the same level here, both take old questions and rework for the current finance act.
BPP I-Learn course on a DVD : huge amount of information covering the entire syllabus in very simple terms. With a bit of dedication could have you with fundamental knowledge of the entire syllabus within three weeks. For P6 I find it good to do this before moving onto the study text that puts meat on the bones.
BPP I-Pass : DVD of 300 short form questions to test basic knowledge.
Taxation : Melville - Excellent annual tax book with hundreds of questions. I have often found answers in this book which were not in the P6 materials!
Besides study materials for P6 you might also want to consider study materials for F6 espechially the exam kit which you may find the missing link between your AAT studies and the more advanced ACCA materials at P6.
HTH,
Shaun.
p.s. edited only for spelling
-- Edited by Shamus on Tuesday 30th of July 2013 08:26:26 AM
__________________
Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
A friend asked me if he has to pay tax if he sells his house. He assumed that he has to pay tax for the gain as the house price is higher then when he bought it.
I do not have a lot of details yet, but he told me that he has been living there all the time with no interruptions.
I have done this last year on personal tax aat, but totally forget it and the book is out of date now.
Does P6 ACCA has both business tax and personal tax ? as I feel the need to refresh my books collection and knowledge.
Many thanks,
Adrian
__________________
This is just my personal opinion. Advice should be sought from a suitably qualified Accountant.
P.S. I only ride a motorbike because I want to dry my clothes faster
In general Jeremys excellent reply is the only answer that you need but you just need to confirm with your freind that he has not rented the house out for long periods during ownership as in that instance other rules would cut in that not all of the gain would be tax free (not going to relay all of the rules here but just something to be aware of).
kind regards,
Shaun.
p.s. yes, P6 covers personal tax, property tax, unincoprorated businesses, incorporated businesses, Inheritance tax, etc, etc. Its what makes it such a nasty paper in that it tests all tax not just some segment of it. (and mostly multiple different elements of tax within a single question).
__________________
Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
whilst the Kaplan study text for P6 is excellent you may find Taxation by Melville a better start point (preferably both but if you had to choose one Melville is better to start with. (higher level than AAT, lower level than ACCA, all in all just right).
__________________
Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
Thanks Shaun. This is really helpful. I too am looking at ways to keep my knowledge fresh and up to date. I read an earlier post of yours about how to stay ahead and keep abreast of the various tax changes etc., which was really helpful (although I felt a little deflated when I realised how much time you spend reading up on stuff and doing the job - Do you actually have a life outside that room of yours with all the books etc. Lol)
Could you tell me where I could get copies of old the P6 papers?
The exams coming up in December will be FA12, next June will be the first sitting of FA13.
Kind regards,
Shaun.
p.s. I know that you knew that. Its this damn time of the morning. I was just trying to remember the name of the ex head of RBS. Must have used his name every day for several years. Could I remember it. Could I heck as like. Just had to Google it.... Right, just not wired enough yet. Where's that red bull whilst I wait for the coffee to perculate
__________________
Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
I am currently studying AAT Biz Tax.
On the book it says: penalties applies for failure to notify HMRC of a new taxable activity,
Is this my case ?
I am working as self employed courier and I want to work as bookkeeper too but still a long way until I will have the confidence to have the first client.
I have the Money Laundering Certificate from HMRC.
Do I need to notify HMRC of my intention of working as bookkeeper ?
If yes, how can I do this ?
Many thanks,
Adrian
__________________
This is just my personal opinion. Advice should be sought from a suitably qualified Accountant.
P.S. I only ride a motorbike because I want to dry my clothes faster
On one hand you have only just started the groundwork for an eventual bookkeeping business. At the moment it is not yet an actual business so there's nothing to tell HMRC.
On the other hand why did you get the MLR cover before there was a business? Unless of course you feel that you are ready to trade in which case you need to tell HMRC.
But not knowing that the page exists or what the contents of it are is a sign that you are not yet ready to be helping others who are starting out self employed which is back to jumping the gun with MLR.
As an aside, are you not already self employed as a courier? If so you should already be registered self employed and filling in a self assessment each year which of course doing your own is always good practice for doing other peoples.
Although I find that other peoples are generally infinitely more complex.
kind regards,
Shaun.
__________________
Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
