ACCA ATX ^UK Professional marks - The 4 Professional Skills - Notes ^{1 / 1}

professional skills will be assessed for 20 marks in the ATX UK exam.

The 4 skills include:

1. Communication

   - Respond to the requirements using a particular format, for example a report, letter, memorandum or notes in preparation for a meeting.

   - Presentation and tone of the response should be professional and flow in a logical way

   - It should contain appropriate headings and sub-headings which aim to achieve good coverage of all aspects of the requirement in an organised and methodical manner

   - It should be clear and effective, both in terms of the language used and the calculations performed.

   - Ensure that the content is relevant to the requirements and adheres to any specific instructions which are given in the question. 

   - Due consideration should also be given to the appropriateness of the tools employed (i.e. use of spreadsheet versus word processing platforms) and the ease of referencing between them, if both are used to address a single requirement.

2. Analysis and evaluation

   - Can be demonstrated by the application of the underlying tax rules to the specific scenario provided. 

   - Demonstrate evaluation skills by providing a recommendation or conclusion, or by giving advice.

   - Due consideration should be given to the impact of any variables provided in the scenario

3. Scepticism

   - Demonstrating scepticism does not mean challenging all the information which has been provided. 

   - For instance, there may be gaps or uncertainties in the information provided which could affect the conclusions reached, or the possible recommendations which could be made. 

   - Scepticism may also be tested by giving candidates the opportunity to challenge the expressed views or opinions of individuals (say a friend, colleague or relative) in the scenario with regard to a particular course of action, strategy to adopt or application of the tax rules.

4. Commercial acumen

   - Candidates are required to understand what advice is, or is not, appropriate in organisational contexts, taking care to ensure that any recommendations are practical, plausible and relevant to the given entity and its particular circumstances.

   - Effective demonstration of this skill will involve candidates using information within the question scenario to provide realistic and commercial solutions to problems, taking into account any other relevant practical considerations. 

   - Candidates need to take a considered forward-looking approach, recognising the possible consequences of past and future actions and that a course of action may have multiple impacts, so that the right choices can be exercised. 

   - Commercial acumen may also involve demonstrating a broad awareness of the purpose behind a particular area of legislation