Cambridge A Level Accounting 9706 — 2023 May/June Paper 3 · Variant 3
9706/33/M/J/23 · 75 marks · ≈84 min
The question paper and its mark scheme, free to read here and free to download. This is Cambridge’s own paper, exactly as it was sat.
Question paper12 pages












Mark scheme19 pages
Answers below. Sit the paper first if you are practising.



















Paper as text
Question paper, page 1
This document has 12 pages. Any blank pages are indicated. [Turn over Cambridge International AS & A Level ACCOUNTING 9706/33 Paper 3 Financial Accounting May/June 2023 1 hour 30 minutes You must answer on the question paper. You will need: Insert (enclosed) INSTRUCTIONS ● Answer all questions. ● Use a black or dark blue pen. ● Write your name, centre number and candidate number in the boxes at the top of the page. ● Write your answer to each question in the space provided. ● Do not use an erasable pen or correction fluid. ● Do not write on any bar codes. ● You may use an HB pencil for any diagrams, graphs or rough working. ● You may use a calculator. ● International accounting terms and formats should be used as appropriate. ● You should show your workings. INFORMATION ● The total mark for this paper is 75. ● The number of marks for each question or part question is shown in brackets [ ]. ● The insert contains all of the sources referred to in the questions. * 3 3 1 2 5 8 2 7 4 1 * DC (CJ) 316653/3 © UCLES 2023
Question paper, page 2
2 9706/33/M/J/23 © UCLES 2023 1 Read Source A in the insert. (a) Calculate the partnership’s profit for the year ended 31 March 2022. … … … … … … … … … … [2] (b) Prepare the partners’ capital accounts on page 3 to show the closing entries. Use the space provided for workings to show your workings.
Question paper, page 3
3 9706/33/M/J/23 © UCLES 2023 [Turn over Capital Accounts Alan $ Betty $ Alan $ Betty $ Workings: [10]
Question paper, page 4
4 9706/33/M/J/23 © UCLES 2023 (c) Calculate the amount paid by J Limited into the partnership bank account. … … … … … … … … … … … … [4] (d) Prepare the partnership bank account to show the closing entries. … … … … … … … … … … [4]
Question paper, page 5
5 9706/33/M/J/23 © UCLES 2023 [Turn over Additional information The partnership business of Alan and Betty was the first business acquired as a part of the expansion strategy of J Limited. In a meeting to review the result of the acquisition after one year, the finance director reported that the acquisition of the partnership business did not bring the expected additional profit to J Limited. (e) Advise whether or not J Limited should continue the expansion strategy. Justify your answer. … … … … … … … … … … … … … … [5] [Total: 25]
Question paper, page 6
6 9706/33/M/J/23 © UCLES 2023 2 Read Source B in the insert. (a) State two comparisons which a business may make by using ratios to assess its performance. 1 … … 2 … … [2] (b) Calculate: (i) net assets at 31 December 2022 … … … … … … … … … [2] (ii) retained earnings at 31 December 2022 … … … … … [2]
Question paper, page 7
7 9706/33/M/J/23 © UCLES 2023 [Turn over (iii) retained earnings at 1 January 2022. … … … … … … … … … … [6] (c) Calculate the following at 31 December 2022: (i) working capital cycle (round each component up to the next whole day) … … … … … … Workings: [6]
Question paper, page 8
8 9706/33/M/J/23 © UCLES 2023 (ii) gearing ratio (to two decimal places). … … … … [2] Additional information B plc, a major competitor, has a working capital cycle which is 5 days shorter than that of Z plc. (d) Advise the directors of Z plc whether or not they should be concerned about the company’s working capital cycle. Justify your answer. … … … … … … … … … … … … … … [5] [Total: 25]
Question paper, page 9
9 9706/33/M/J/23 © UCLES 2023 [Turn over 3 Read Source C in the insert. (a) Explain why a manufacturing business may provide for unrealised profit. … … … … … … [2] (b) Prepare the manufacturing account for the year ended 31 December 2022. … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … [6]
Question paper, page 10
10 9706/33/M/J/23 © UCLES 2023 (c) Prepare the statement of profit or loss for the year ended 31 December 2022. … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … [14]
Question paper, page 11
11 9706/33/M/J/23 © UCLES 2023 Additional information The financial statements of W Limited for the year ended 31 December 2022 are ready to be audited. (d) Explain the importance of a true and fair view opinion in the auditor’s report. … … … … … … [3] [Total: 25]
Question paper, page 12
12 9706/33/M/J/23 © UCLES 2023 Permission to reproduce items where third-party owned material protected by copyright is included has been sought and cleared where possible. Every reasonable effort has been made by the publisher (UCLES) to trace copyright holders, but if any items requiring clearance have unwittingly been included, the publisher will be pleased to make amends at the earliest possible opportunity. To avoid the issue of disclosure of answer-related information to candidates, all copyright acknowledgements are reproduced online in the Cambridge Assessment International Education Copyright Acknowledgements Booklet. This is produced for each series of examinations and is freely available to download at www.cambridgeinternational.org after the live examination series. Cambridge Assessment International Education is part of Cambridge Assessment. Cambridge Assessment is the brand name of the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES), which is a department of the University of Cambridge. BLANK PAGE
Mark scheme, page 1
This document consists of 19 printed pages. © UCLES 2023 [Turn over Cambridge International AS & A Level ACCOUNTING 9706/33 Paper 3 Financial Accounting May/June 2023 MARK SCHEME Maximum Mark: 75 Published This mark scheme is published as an aid to teachers and candidates, to indicate the requirements of the examination. It shows the basis on which Examiners were instructed to award marks. It does not indicate the details of the discussions that took place at an Examiners’ meeting before marking began, which would have considered the acceptability of alternative answers. Mark schemes should be read in conjunction with the question paper and the Principal Examiner Report for Teachers. Cambridge International will not enter into discussions about these mark schemes. Cambridge International is publishing the mark schemes for the May/June 2023 series for most Cambridge IGCSE, Cambridge International A and AS Level and Cambridge Pre-U components, and some Cambridge O Level components.
Mark scheme, page 2
9706/33 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED May/June 2023 © UCLES 2023 Page 2 of 19 Generic Marking Principles These general marking principles must be applied by all examiners when marking candidate answers. They should be applied alongside the specific content of the mark scheme or generic level descriptors for a question. Each question paper and mark scheme will also comply with these marking principles. GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 1: Marks must be awarded in line with: the specific content of the mark scheme or the generic level descriptors for the question the specific skills defined in the mark scheme or in the generic level descriptors for the question the standard of response required by a candidate as exemplified by the standardisation scripts. GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 2: Marks awarded are always whole marks (not half marks, or other fractions). GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 3: Marks must be awarded positively: marks are awarded for correct/valid answers, as defined in the mark scheme. However, credit is given for valid answers which go beyond the scope of the syllabus and mark scheme, referring to your Team Leader as appropriate marks are awarded when candidates clearly demonstrate what they know and can do marks are not deducted for errors marks are not deducted for omissions answers should only be judged on the quality of spelling, punctuation and grammar when these features are specifically assessed by the question as indicated by the mark scheme. The meaning, however, should be unambiguous. GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 4: Rules must be applied consistently, e.g. in situations where candidates have not followed instructions or in the application of generic level descriptors.
Mark scheme, page 3
9706/33 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED May/June 2023 © UCLES 2023 Page 3 of 19 GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 5: Marks should be awarded using the full range of marks defined in the mark scheme for the question (however; the use of the full mark range may be limited according to the quality of the candidate responses seen). GENERIC MARKING PRINCIPLE 6: Marks awarded are based solely on the requirements as defined in the mark scheme. Marks should not be awarded with grade thresholds or grade descriptors in mind.
Mark scheme, page 4
9706/33 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED May/June 2023 © UCLES 2023 Page 4 of 19 Social Science-Specific Marking Principles (for point-based marking) 1 Components using point-based marking: Point marking is often used to reward knowledge, understanding and application of skills. We give credit where the candidate’s answer shows relevant knowledge, understanding and application of skills in answering the question. We do not give credit where the answer shows confusion. From this it follows that we: a DO credit answers which are worded differently from the mark scheme if they clearly convey the same meaning (unless the mark scheme requires a specific term) b DO credit alternative answers/examples which are not written in the mark scheme if they are correct c DO credit answers where candidates give more than one correct answer in one prompt/numbered/scaffolded space where extended writing is required rather than list-type answers. For example, questions that require n reasons (e.g. State two reasons …). d DO NOT credit answers simply for using a ‘key term’ unless that is all that is required. (Check for evidence it is understood and not used wrongly.) e DO NOT credit answers which are obviously self-contradicting or trying to cover all possibilities f DO NOT give further credit for what is effectively repetition of a correct point already credited unless the language itself is being tested. This applies equally to ‘mirror statements’ (i.e. polluted/not polluted). g DO NOT require spellings to be correct, unless this is part of the test. However spellings of syllabus terms must allow for clear and unambiguous separation from other syllabus terms with which they may be confused (e.g. Corrasion/Corrosion) 2 Presentation of mark scheme: Slashes (/) or the word ‘or’ separate alternative ways of making the same point. Semi colons (;) bullet points (•) or figures in brackets (1) separate different points. Content in the answer column in brackets is for examiner information/context to clarify the marking but is not required to earn the mark (except Accounting syllabuses where they indicate negative numbers).
Mark scheme, page 5
9706/33 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED May/June 2023 © UCLES 2023 Page 5 of 19 3 Calculation questions: The mark scheme will show the steps in the most likely correct method(s), the mark for each step, the correct answer(s) and the mark for each answer If working/explanation is considered essential for full credit, this will be indicated in the question paper and in the mark scheme. In all other instances, the correct answer to a calculation should be given full credit, even if no supporting working is shown. Where the candidate uses a valid method which is not covered by the mark scheme, award equivalent marks for reaching equivalent stages. Where an answer makes use of a candidate’s own incorrect figure from previous working, the ‘own figure rule’ applies: full marks will be given if a correct and complete method is used. Further guidance will be included in the mark scheme where necessary and any exceptions to this general principle will be noted. 4 Annotation: For point marking, ticks can be used to indicate correct answers and crosses can be used to indicate wrong answers. There is no direct relationship between ticks and marks. Ticks have no defined meaning for levels of response marking. For levels of response marking, the level awarded should be annotated on the script. Other annotations will be used by examiners as agreed during standardisation, and the meaning will be understood by all examiners who marked that paper.
Mark scheme, page 6
9706/33 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED May/June 2023 © UCLES 2023 Page 6 of 19 ANNOTATIONS The following annotations are used in marking this paper and should be used by examiners. Annotation Use or meaning Correct and relevant point made in answering the question. × Incorrect point or error made. LNK Two statements are linked. REP Repeat A An extraneous figure N0 No working shown AE Attempts evaluation R1 Required item 1 R2 Required item 2 OF Own figure EVAL Evaluation NAQ Not answered question BOD Benefit of the doubt given. SEEN Noted but no credit given Highlight Highlight Off page Comment Off page comment
Mark scheme, page 7
9706/33 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED May/June 2023 © UCLES 2023 Page 7 of 19 Abbreviations and guidance The following abbreviations may be used in the mark scheme: OF = own figure. The answer will be marked correct if a candidate has correctly used their own figure from a previous part or calculation. W = working. The working for a figure is given below. Where the figure has more than one mark associated with it, the working will show where individual marks are to be awarded. CF = correct figure. The figure has to be correct i.e. no extraneous items have been included in the calculation Extraneous item = an item that should not have been included in a calculation, including indirect expenses such as salaries in calculation of gross profit when there is one OF mark for gross profit’ Curly brackets, }, are used to show where one mark is given for more than one figure. If the figures are not adjacent, each is marked with a curly bracket and a symbol e.g. }* row = all figures in the row must be correct for this mark to be awarded Marks for figures are dependent on correct sign/direction Accept other valid responses. This statement indicates that marks may be awarded for answers that are not listed in the mark scheme but are equally valid.
Mark scheme, page 8
9706/33 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED May/June 2023 © UCLES 2023 Page 8 of 19 Question Answer Marks 1(a) Calculate the partnership’s profit for the year ended 31 March 2022. $ Interest on capital Alan $300 000 4% 12 000 } Betty $240 000 4% 9 600 }(1) Residual profit Alan 24 240 Betty 16 160 Profit for the year 62 000 (1) 2
Mark scheme, page 9
9706/33 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED May/June 2023 © UCLES 2023 Page 9 of 19 Question Answer Marks 1(b) Prepare the partners’ capital accounts to show the closing entries. Capital Accounts Alan Betty Alan Betty $ $ $ $ Current account W1 5 640 (1) Balance b/d 300 000 240 000 J Ltd-8% debentures W2 150 000 120 000 (1)row Current account W1 11 240 (1) J Ltd-Ordinary shares 195 000 195 000 (1)row Profit on realisation W3 88 200 58 800 (5)OF Bank 54 440 } Bank 21 840} (1)OF 399 440 320 640 399 440 320 640 W1 Current account Alan ($7 000+$300 000 4% + $24 240 – $32 000) = $11 240 (1) Betty ($2 600+$24 0000 4% + $16 160 – $34 000) = ($5640) (1) W2 Debentures Alan $12 000 ÷ 8% = $150 000} Betty $9 600 ÷ 8% = $120 000} (1) W3 Profit on realisation $ Assets taken over ($570 000 – $549 000) 21 000 (1) Goodwill ($62 000 2) 124 000 (1)OF Trade payables discount 2 000 (1) 147 000 Alan $147 000 60% 88 200 (1)OF Betty $147 000 40% 58 800 (1)OF 10
Mark scheme, page 10
9706/33 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED May/June 2023 © UCLES 2023 Page 10 of 19 Question Answer Marks 1(c) Calculate the amount paid by J Limited into the partnership bank account. $ Consideration Value of assets taken over 570 000 Goodwill 124 000 694 000 (1)OF 8% debentures Alan 150 00 0 Betty 120 00 0 (270 000) (1) Ordinary shares (390 000) (1) Balance paid in cash 34 000 (1)OF 4
Mark scheme, page 11
9706/33 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED May/June 2023 © UCLES 2023 Page 11 of 19 Question Answer Marks 1(d) Prepare the partnership bank account to show the closing entries. Bank account $ $ Balance b/d W1 35 600 (2)CF/(1)OF Trade payables 37 000 J Limited 34 000 (1)OF Alan 54 440 }(1)OF Betty 21 840 } 91 440 91 440 W1 $ Capital accounts total 540 000 Current accounts total at 31 March 2022 ($11 240-$5 640) 5 600 545 600 (1)OF Book value of assets taken over (549 000) } Trade payables 39 000 }(1) Cash at bank 35 600 Alternative answer $ Capital accounts total 540 000 Current accounts total at 1 April 2021 ($7000 + $2600) 9 600 Profit for the year 62 000 611 600 (1)OF Book value of assets taken over (549 000) } Trade payables 39 000 } Drawings (66 000) }(1) Cash at bank 35 600 4
Mark scheme, page 12
9706/33 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED May/June 2023 © UCLES 2023 Page 12 of 19 Question Answer Marks 1(e) Advise whether or not J Limited should continue the expansion strategy. Justify your answer. Max 2 marks for ‘should’ comments Max 2 marks for ‘should not’ comments 1 mark for decision supported with a comment. It is only one year’s time, J Limited should take the acquisition as a long-term strategy. (1) Acquiring businesses can bring synergy (1) and elimination of competitors. (1) J Limited pays for the goodwill in the expectation of additional future profit. (1) J Limited was too optimistic in its predictions. (1) Synergy may not succeed because there may be a culture clash between two businesses. (1) Accept other valid responses. 5 Question Answer Marks 2(a) State two comparisons which a business may make by using ratios to assess its performance. Trend analysis (1) Inter-company comparison (1) Industry average (1) Max 2 Accept other valid responses. 2
Mark scheme, page 13
9706/33 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED May/June 2023 © UCLES 2023 Page 13 of 19 Question Answer Marks 2(b)(i) Calculate: net assets at 31 December 2022 Non-current assets ($825 000÷1.6) 515 625 (1) Inventory 44 000 Trade receivables 76 400 Trade payables (32 900) Cash at bank 81 000 Debenture (100 000) Net assets 584 125 (1) OF 2 2(b)(ii) retained earnings at 31 December 2022 Equity 584 125 Ordinary share capital (300 000) } Share premium (30 000) } (1) Retained earnings 254 125 (1) OF 2 2(b)(iii) retained earnings at 1 January 2022. $ Retained earnings at 31 December 2022 254 125 (1) OF Profit for the year W1 (187 500) (3) OF Dividend paid (300 000 $0.3) 90 000 (1) Retained earnings at 1 January 2022 156 625 (1) OF W1 Market price per share ($0.3 + $0.15) ÷ 4% = $11.25 (1) Earnings per share $11.25 ÷ 18 = $0.625 (1) OF Profit for the year $0.625 300 000=$187 500 (1) OF 6
Mark scheme, page 14
9706/33 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED May/June 2023 © UCLES 2023 Page 14 of 19 Question Answer Marks 2(c)(i) Calculate the following at 31 December 2022: working capital cycle (round each component up to the next whole day). Trade receivable turnover W1 34 days (1) Inventory turnover W2 48 days (3) Trade payable turnover W3 (30) days (1) Working capital cycle 52 days (1) OF W1 ($76 400/$825 000) x 365 = 34 days (1) W2 Cost of sales $825 000(1–48%) = $429 000 (1) Opening inventory $429 000 + $44 000 – $405 000 = $68 000 Average inventory ($44 000 + $68 000)/2 = $56 000 (1) Inventory turnover ($56 000/$429 000) 365 = 48 days (1) OF W3 ($32 900/$405 000) 365 = 30 days (1) 6 2(c)(ii) gearing ratio (to two decimal places) Gearing ratio $100 000/($100 000 + $300 000 + $30 000 + $254 125 OF) (1) =14.62% (1) OF 2
Mark scheme, page 15
9706/33 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED May/June 2023 © UCLES 2023 Page 15 of 19 Question Answer Marks 2(d) Advise the directors of Z plc whether or not they should be concerned about the company’s working capital cycle. Justify your answer. Max 2 marks for ‘should be’ comments Max 2 marks for ‘should not be’ comments 1 mark for decision supported with a comment. Should be (max 2) takes longer time to convert its working capital into cash. (1) holding too much inventory (1) not good enough in collecting their receivables / poor credit control (1) paying the payables too early (1) Should not be (max 2) not a material difference (1) may have different policies (1) there may be non-financial factors that impact the financial statements (1) Accept other valid responses. 5 Question Answer Marks 3(a) Explain why a manufacturing business may provide for unrealised profit. The unrealised profit is to be deducted from the transfer value to value the inventory at cost (1) which is consistent with the prudence concept. (1) Accept other valid responses. 2
Mark scheme, page 16
9706/33 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED May/June 2023 © UCLES 2023 Page 16 of 19 Question Answer Marks 3(b) Prepare the manufacturing account for the year ended 31 December 2022. Manufacturing account for year ended 31 December 2022 $ Opening raw materials inventory 8 000 Purchases 198 000 Carriage inwards 3 100 (1) Closing raw materials inventory (10 500) Cost of raw materials consumed 198 600 Direct labour 164 000 Prime cost 362 600 (1) Depreciation – factory machinery 9 000 (1) Factory overheads $98 000 + ($74 000 + $6 000) 50% 138 000 (1) 509 600 Opening work in progress inventory 17 300 } Closing work in progress inventory (16 900) }(1) Cost of goods manufactured 510 000 Factory profit 122 400 (1) OF Transfer value 632 400 6
Mark scheme, page 17
9706/33 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED May/June 2023 © UCLES 2023 Page 17 of 19 Question Answer Marks 3(c) Prepare the statement of profit or loss for the year ended 31 December 2022. Statement of profit or loss for year ended 31 December 2022 $ $ Revenue 984 000 Cost of sales Opening finished goods inventory ($45 000 120%) 54 000 (1) Transfer value 632 400 686 400 Closing finished goods inventory W1 (64 480) (2)OF 621 920 Gross profit 362 080 (1) OF Factory profit 122 400 (1)OF Increase in provision for unrealised profit W2 (3 480) (3)OF 118 920 481 000 Administrative expenses W3 244 600 (2) Selling and distribution costs W4 123 800 (3) Profit for the year 112 600 (1) OF 14
Mark scheme, page 18
9706/33 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED May/June 2023 © UCLES 2023 Page 18 of 19 Question Answer Marks 3(c) Mark up for 2022 $122 400 OF/$510 000 = 24% W1 $52 000 124% (1OF) = $64 480 (1OF) W2 $ 31 December 2021 inventory $45 000 20% 9 000 (1) 31 December 2022 inventory $52 000 24% 12 480 (1) OF Increase in provision for unrealised profit 3 480 (1) OF W3 $ Administrative expenses 223 500 Depreciation – office equipment 5 100 (1) Rent ($74 000 + $6 000) 20% 16 000 (1) 244 600 W4 $ Selling and distribution costs 84 000 Carriage outwards 6 200 (1) Depreciation – delivery van 9 600 (1) Rent ($74 000 + $6 000)30% 24 000 (1) 123 800
Mark scheme, page 19
9706/33 Cambridge International AS & A Level – Mark Scheme PUBLISHED May/June 2023 © UCLES 2023 Page 19 of 19 Question Answer Marks 3(d) Explain the importance of a true and fair view opinion in the auditor’s report. The financial statements are credible/reliable (1) The financial statements have complied with the legal requirements and accounting standards (1) The accounting policies adopted by the business are appropriate (1) It means the financial statements are free from material misstatements/errors (1) It means the financial statements faithfully represent the performance and financial position of the business (1) The shareholders have confidence that the directors have performed their duties satisfactorily (1) Max 3 Accept other valid responses. 3
What you needed in this session
Cambridge’s own grade thresholds for 2023 May/June, Paper 3 · Variant 3. A higher threshold means an easier paper — the bar moves with how the cohort did.