How is Leaving Certificate Accounting examined in 2026?

In 2026 it is examined under the established syllabus by one terminal written paper at Higher or Ordinary level. Higher Level is 3 hours and 400 marks across three sections: final accounts-style financial accounting, further financial accounting topics and management accounting.

What are the three sections of the Higher Level paper?

Section 1 (120 marks) is financial accounting final accounts: answer Question 1 (120 marks) or two of Questions 2–4 (60 each). Section 2 (200 marks) requires two of three financial accounting questions (100 each). Section 3 (80 marks) is management accounting: answer one of two questions.

What topics does Leaving Cert Accounting cover?

The established syllabus covers the conceptual framework, double-entry records and adjustments, sole trader and company accounts, manufacturing, club, farm and departmental accounts, incomplete records, cash flow, ratio analysis, published accounts concepts (Higher Level) and management accounting (costing, break-even and budgets).

Is there coursework for Leaving Certificate Accounting in 2026?

No for the established-syllabus cohort: assessment is the written paper. A redeveloped Accounting specification is planned for introduction no earlier than September 2027 for later fifth-year cohorts.

How are grades reported?

Higher Level uses H1-H8 and Ordinary Level uses O1-O8. Grades 1-7 cover 10% bands from 90-100% down to 30-39%, with grade 8 for marks below 30%.

Are these official State Examinations Commission questions?

No. These are original OpenExamPrep single-best-answer concept and calculation questions modelled on the syllabus. The SEC publishes official past papers and marking schemes separately, and you should also practise full written final accounts, specialised accounts and management accounting questions under timed conditions.

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: LC Accounting Exam

1 paper

Leaving Certificate Accounting is assessed by one terminal written paper under the established syllabus

State Examinations Commission

3 hours

Higher Level written paper lasts 3 hours

State Examinations Commission examination papers

400 marks

Higher Level paper is marked out of 400 marks

State Examinations Commission examination papers

3 sections

Higher Level paper has three sections: two financial accounting sections and one management accounting section

State Examinations Commission examination papers

120 + 200 + 80

Section mark allocation at Higher Level is 120, 200 and 80 marks respectively

State Examinations Commission examination papers

H1-H8

Higher Level grades range from H1 (90-100%) to H8 (below 30%)

State Examinations Commission grading scale

To 2028

The established Accounting syllabus is examined to June 2028; redeveloped specification arrives later for new fifth-year cohorts

NCCA Curriculum Online

100

Free original single-best-answer practice questions here

OpenExamPrep

Leaving Certificate Accounting is the Irish senior-cycle accounting subject set by the State Examinations Commission. For 2026 it remains a single 3-hour written paper (400 marks at Higher Level) under the established syllabus: financial accounting final accounts and specialised topics plus management accounting. Content spans concepts and records, depreciation and control accounts, company and specialised final accounts, incomplete records, cash flow, ratios and budgets. This 100-question bank provides original single-best-answer concept and calculation practice across the syllabus.

Sample LC Accounting Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your LC Accounting exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which accounting concept requires that revenue and related expenses are recognised in the period to which they relate, regardless of when cash is received or paid?

A.Going concern concept

B.Accruals (matching) concept

C.Money measurement concept

D.Entity concept

Explanation: The accruals (matching) concept requires income and expenses to be recognised in the period they are earned or incurred, not when cash changes hands. Going concern assumes continuity; money measurement records only monetary items; entity separates business from owner.

2Under the prudence concept, which treatment is most appropriate?

A.Recognise anticipated profits immediately and ignore possible losses

B.Recognise anticipated losses when probable but recognise profits only when realised

C.Always overstate assets to create a reserve

D.Ignore bad debts until they are legally written off by a court

Explanation: Prudence requires caution: do not anticipate profits, but provide for known or probable losses (e.g. bad debts). Overstating assets or recognising unrealised profits breaches prudence.

3Equipment cost €48,000, residual value €3,000, useful life 5 years, straight-line method. What is the annual depreciation charge?

A.€9,600

B.€9,000

C.€45,000

D.€8,000

Explanation: Straight-line depreciation = (cost − residual value) ÷ useful life = (€48,000 − €3,000) ÷ 5 = €45,000 ÷ 5 = €9,000 per year.

4A machine cost €25,000 and is depreciated at 20% per annum using the diminishing (reducing) balance method. What is depreciation for Year 2?

A.€5,000

B.€4,000

C.€3,000

D.€10,000

Explanation: Year 1 depreciation = 20% × €25,000 = €5,000; net book value end Year 1 = €20,000. Year 2 = 20% × €20,000 = €4,000.

5On 1 January a van cost €30,000. Straight-line depreciation is 20% per year on cost (no residual). The van is sold on 31 December of Year 2 for €16,000. What is the profit or loss on disposal?

A.Loss of €2,000

B.Profit of €2,000

C.Loss of €8,000

D.Profit of €4,000

Explanation: Annual depreciation = 20% × €30,000 = €6,000. After 2 years accumulated depreciation = €12,000; net book value = €18,000. Proceeds €16,000 − NBV €18,000 = loss of €2,000.

6Rent paid during the year was €18,000. Opening prepaid rent was €1,500 and closing prepaid rent is €2,000. What rent expense appears in the profit and loss account?

A.€18,500

B.€17,500

C.€18,000

D.€21,500

Explanation: Expense = cash paid + opening prepaid − closing prepaid = €18,000 + €1,500 − €2,000 = €17,500. Opening prepaid relates to this year; closing prepaid is deferred to next year.

7Electricity expense for the year should be €9,200. The business paid €8,400 and there was no opening accrual. What is the closing accrued expense?

A.€800

B.€9,200

C.€8,400

D.€17,600

Explanation: If the expense for the year is €9,200 and only €8,400 was paid with no opening accrual, the unpaid balance of €800 is accrued at year end and included in current liabilities.

8Trade receivables are €40,000. A specific bad debt of €2,000 is to be written off and a general provision of 5% is required on remaining receivables. What is the net receivables figure for the balance sheet?

A.€36,100

B.€38,000

C.€36,000

D.€37,100

Explanation: After writing off €2,000, receivables = €38,000. Provision 5% × €38,000 = €1,900. Net receivables = €38,000 − €1,900 = €36,100.

9In double-entry bookkeeping, which statement is correct?

A.Every debit entry must have an equal credit entry

B.Assets are credited when they increase

C.Liabilities are debited when they increase

D.Drawings are credited when the owner takes goods

Explanation: The dual aspect rule is that every transaction has equal debits and credits. Asset increases are debited; liability increases are credited; drawings increase with a debit.

10Which of the following is capital expenditure?

A.Annual insurance premium on premises

B.Purchase of a new delivery van for long-term use

C.Office stationery used during the month

D.Wages of shop assistants

Explanation: Capital expenditure acquires or improves a non-current asset expected to benefit more than one period (for example a delivery van). Insurance, stationery and wages are revenue expenses.

About the LC Accounting Practice Questions

Verified exam format metadata for Leaving Certificate Accounting is pending. The practice questions above remain available while official exam length, timing, passing score, fee, and administrator details are reviewed.

100+ Free LC Accounting Practice Questions

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Key Facts: LC Accounting Exam

Sample LC Accounting Practice Questions

About the LC Accounting Practice Questions