Finance & Taxation

ACCA– Performance Management (PM)

This course provides a comprehensive overview of performance management principles and practices.

Budgeting and variance analysis — build flexible and functional budgets, analyze variances and recommend corrective actions to improve financial control. Performance measurement and KPIs — design, select and interpret financial and non-financial indicators (including balanced scorecard) to monitor organizational performance. Decision-making and performance improvement — apply costing methods, standard and marginal costing, and behavioural insights to support managerial decisions and drive performance.

4.9

Program rating

1,949+

Learners enrolled

70 hrs

Total duration

English,Hindi

Language

This program includes

Live, mentor-led classes Recognized certificate Placement support Hands-on projects Lifetime access

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Live, mentor-led classes
Recognized certificate
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Program overview

About this program

This Finance & Taxation program blends live, mentor-led sessions with hands-on projects and real-world case studies, so you build genuinely job-ready skills — not just theory. You'll learn from working industry experts, apply what you learn on practical assignments, and finish with a portfolio, a recognized certificate, and dedicated placement support to help you land the right role.

This course provides a comprehensive overview of performance management principles and practices.

The ACCA Performance Management (PM) course is designed to equip students with the skills necessary to improve an organization's performance through effective performance management techniques. Explore budgeting, variance analysis, and performance indicators in depth.

Why learners love this program

Budgeting and variance analysis — build flexible and functional budgets, analyze variances and recommend corrective actions to improve financial control.
Performance measurement and KPIs — design, select and interpret financial and non-financial indicators (including balanced scorecard) to monitor organizational performance.
Decision-making and performance improvement — apply costing methods, standard and marginal costing, and behavioural insights to support managerial decisions and drive performance.

Lectures

Hours

All level

Level

Globally trusted accreditations

Recognitions that power your profile

Trusted by leading accreditation bodies — so your certificate is respected by employers worldwide.

Learning outcomes

What you'll be able to do

Explain the objectives and role of performance management within organisations and how it links to strategy.

Apply costing techniques (marginal, absorption and activity‑based costing) to support performance measurement and control.

Prepare and analyse budgets and forecasts, including flexible, incremental and zero‑based approaches.

Calculate, interpret and explain standard costing variances (materials, labour, overheads and sales) and recommend corrective actions.

Use cost‑volume‑profit (CVP) analysis and relevant costing to support short‑term decision making.

Select, calculate and interpret financial and non‑financial performance indicators (KPIs) and balanced scorecard measures.

Assess divisional performance and responsibility accounting using ROI, residual income, EVA and appropriate transfer pricing methods.

Apply variance and ratio analysis to evaluate efficiency, profitability and operational performance.

Incorporate risk and uncertainty into performance plans using sensitivity, scenario and simulation analysis.

Communicate performance information clearly to stakeholders and evaluate the behavioural impacts of performance measurement and incentive systems.

Apply investment appraisal techniques and link capital budgeting decisions to performance objectives.

Demonstrate professional judgment and ethical considerations in performance measurement, reporting and decision making.

Curriculum

Structured modules that build real skills

16 modules · designed for progressive, hands-on learning.

Concepts and Definitions

Define performance management and explain its core concepts and scope within organizations.

1.00 hrs

Objectives of Performance Management

Describe the primary objectives of performance management including improving efficiency and strategic alignment.

1.00 hrs

Stakeholders and Roles

Identify key stakeholders in performance management and outline their roles and responsibilities.

1.00 hrs

Performance Measurement Frameworks

Explain common frameworks used to measure performance and how they support decision making.

1.00 hrs

Strategic Alignment

Discuss how performance management links operational activities to strategic objectives.

1.00 hrs

Performance Management Cycle

Outline the stages of the performance management cycle from planning to review.

1.00 hrs

Historical Development and Trends

Summarize historical developments and current trends influencing performance management practice.

1.00 hrs

Ethics and Governance in Performance Management

Explain ethical considerations and governance requirements affecting performance measurement and reporting.

1.00 hrs

Assessment and Evaluation Methods

Describe methods used to assess performance including qualitative and quantitative approaches.

1.00 hrs

Purposes of Budgeting

Explain the purposes of budgeting in planning, control, and resource allocation.

1.00 hrs

Types of Budgets

Differentiate between common budget types such as fixed, flexible and rolling budgets.

1.00 hrs

Zero-Based Budgeting

Describe zero-based budgeting and when it is appropriate to use it.

1.00 hrs

Flexible Budgeting

Explain flexible budgeting and how it adjusts for changes in activity levels.

1.00 hrs

Rolling Budgets and Forecasting

Discuss rolling budgets and their role in continuous forecasting and updating.

1.00 hrs

Participative Budgeting

Describe participative budgeting and its effects on motivation and budget acceptance.

1.00 hrs

Behavioral Implications of Budgeting

Explain behavioral responses to budgeting and how they influence performance outcomes.

1.00 hrs

Budgeting and Strategy

Link budgeting practices to strategic objectives and resource prioritization.

1.00 hrs

Preparing Operational Budgets

Outline steps to prepare detailed operational budgets and ensure consistency across functions.

1.00 hrs

Nature of Variances

Define variance analysis and explain the significance of investigating variances.

1.00 hrs

Material Variances

Calculate and interpret material price and usage variances and their business implications.

1.00 hrs

Labor Variances

Explain labor rate and efficiency variances and how they inform workforce management.

1.00 hrs

Overhead Variances

Describe overhead spending and efficiency variances and methods to allocate overheads.

1.00 hrs

Sales and Margin Variances

Analyse sales volume and margin variances and their impact on profitability.

1.00 hrs

Variance Investigation

Outline procedures for investigating significant variances and identifying root causes.

1.00 hrs

Reporting Variances

Describe best practices for reporting variances to management for timely action.

1.00 hrs

Standard Costing Systems

Explain the role of standard costing in performance control and variance computation.

1.00 hrs

Using Variances for Control

Demonstrate how variance analysis supports corrective actions and continuous improvement.

1.00 hrs

KPI Selection Principles

Describe criteria for selecting effective KPIs that align with organizational goals.

1.00 hrs

Leading vs Lagging Indicators

Differentiate between leading and lagging indicators and their uses in performance management.

1.00 hrs

Financial KPIs

Identify key financial KPIs and explain how they measure financial performance.

1.00 hrs

Non-Financial KPIs

Explain non-financial KPIs and their importance in capturing operational performance.

1.00 hrs

Benchmarking and Targets

Discuss benchmarking methods and setting realistic KPI targets and thresholds.

1.00 hrs

Balanced Scorecard

Explain the balanced scorecard approach and how it integrates multiple performance perspectives.

1.00 hrs

KPI Dashboards and Reporting

Describe design principles for KPI dashboards and effective reporting formats.

1.00 hrs

KPI Review Processes

Outline processes for reviewing and updating KPIs in response to changing priorities.

1.00 hrs

Data Quality and KPI Reliability

Discuss the importance of data quality and controls to ensure reliable KPI measurement.

1.00 hrs

Components of a PMS

Describe the core components of a performance management system and their interactions.

1.00 hrs

Designing a PMS

Explain key design considerations when building a performance management system for an organization.

1.00 hrs

Implementation Planning

Outline steps to plan implementation and ensure stakeholder engagement and readiness.

1.00 hrs

Technology and Automation in PMS

Discuss how technology supports PMS through automation, data visualisation, and analytics.

1.00 hrs

Change Management for PMS

Explain change management techniques to support successful PMS adoption.

1.00 hrs

Integration with HR Systems

Describe how PMS integrates with HR processes such as appraisal, training and development.

1.00 hrs

Performance Appraisal Methods

Compare common appraisal methods and their suitability for different contexts.

1.00 hrs

Reward and Recognition Systems

Explain the role of reward systems in reinforcing desired performance behaviours.

1.00 hrs

Continuous Improvement and Feedback Loops

Describe mechanisms to embed continuous improvement and feedback within a PMS.

1.00 hrs

Control Environment and Policies

Explain how the control environment and policies set the tone for effective management control.

1.00 hrs

Budgetary Control as a Management Tool

Describe how budgetary control is used within management control systems to guide performance.

1.00 hrs

Administrative and Operational Controls

Identify administrative controls and operational procedures that support reliable performance.

1.00 hrs

Decentralization and Control

Discuss the impact of decentralization on control arrangements and manager accountability.

1.00 hrs

Responsibility Centres

Explain types of responsibility centres and how responsibility accounting supports control.

1.00 hrs

Transfer Pricing and Performance

Describe transfer pricing methods and their effect on divisional performance measurement.

1.00 hrs

Performance Measurement within MCS

Explain measurement approaches used in MCS to evaluate different organisational units.

1.00 hrs

Incentive and Reward Systems

Discuss how incentives are designed and aligned with performance objectives to motivate staff.

1.00 hrs

Evaluating MCS Effectiveness

Outline criteria and methods to evaluate the effectiveness of management control systems.

1.00 hrs

Cost-Volume-Profit Analysis

Apply cost-volume-profit analysis to inform pricing and production decisions.

1.00 hrs

Relevant Costing for Short-Term Decisions

Use relevant costing principles to make incremental and make-or-buy decisions.

1.00 hrs

Short-Term Decision Techniques

Explain techniques for short-term decisions including special orders and constrained resources.

1.00 hrs

Basics of Investment Appraisal

Describe the fundamentals of investment appraisal methods and their role in strategic decisions.

1.00 hrs

Profitability Ratios

Calculate and interpret profitability ratios to assess business performance.

1.00 hrs

Liquidity and Solvency Ratios

Explain liquidity and solvency ratios and their importance for financial stability analysis.

1.00 hrs

Efficiency and Activity Ratios

Use efficiency ratios to evaluate asset utilisation and operational effectiveness.

1.00 hrs

Identifying Risks to Performance

Identify common financial and non-financial risks that can affect organizational performance.

1.00 hrs

Quantifying Performance Risk

Explain approaches to quantify and prioritise risks that impact performance targets.

1.00 hrs

Mitigation Strategies

Describe strategies to mitigate identified risks and reduce their impact on performance.

1.00 hrs

Internal Controls and Risk Management

Explain the role of internal controls in managing risk within performance management systems.

1.00 hrs

Monitoring and Reporting Risk

Outline processes for ongoing monitoring and reporting of performance-related risks.

1.00 hrs

Case Study: Budgeting in Practice

Analyse a real-life budgeting case and extract lessons on planning and control.

1.00 hrs

Case Study: Variance Analysis Application

Work through a variance analysis case to interpret causes and recommend actions.

1.00 hrs

Case Study: KPI Implementation

Evaluate a KPI implementation case and assess success factors and pitfalls.

1.00 hrs

Course Review and Exam Preparation

Summarise key course concepts and provide targeted preparation for assessment and exams.

1.00 hrs

Your credential

The certificate you'll earn

Earn an industry-recognized certificate on successful completion of this program.

ACCA– Performance Management (PM) certificate

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Reviews

What our learners say

Performance Management training improved my clarity on strategic planning and KPIs. Practice sessions made calculations easier to handle.

AQAafiya Qureshi

PM sessions clarified how variance analysis works in real business situations. The exam-focused approach made revision easier.

RMRitika Malhotra

ACCA Performance Management helped me understand how budgeting and forecasting support business decisions. Regular practice improved my numerical confidence.

AKAnaya Khanna

Understanding advanced variance analysis and decision-making techniques became easier with structured practice. Performance Management sessions felt detailed and exam-focused.

TCTanish Chawla

PM preparation strengthened my analytical skills significantly. Learning how to interpret budgets and evaluate operational efficiency improved my confidence.

RKRaghavendra Kapoor

ACCA Performance Management helped me understand how businesses measure and improve performance. Working on variance analysis and performance metrics made concepts very practical.

SMShaurya Malhotra

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