SSC CGL Tier-2, Paper-4 AAO Study Materials (Assistant Audit / Accounts Officers)
Assistant Audit Officer is amongst the most desirable posts under SSC CGL as it is one of highest paying and most respected jobs under SSC CGL. Candidates looking to get this post have to appear in the AAO exam in the tier 2 of SSC CGL, which is called paper 4. Along with this, candidates have to appear in the compulsory papers, English and Mathematics as well, which are paper 1 and 2.
SSC CGL AAO exam is considered to be a slightly trickier exam as this involves graduation level topics on the related exams. Let us take a look at the examination pattern, syllabus, books and preparation tips for SSC CGL AAO exam.
SSC CGL AAO Examination Pattern
- SSC CGL AAO will comprise a total of 100 questions.
- Candidates will be given 120 minutes to complete the exam.
- The question paper will be divided into two parts; One section is Finance and Accounting, whereas the second one is Economy and Governance.
- Finance and Accounting section will feature 40 questions, and the Economy and Governance section will have 60 questions.
- All the questions will be multiple choice questions.
- There is a provision of negative marking in the paper.
SSC CGL AAO Syllabus
Since SSC CGL is a graduation level exam, the questions asked in SSC CGL AAO will also be of graduation level. Candidates will need to cover graduation level topics of both the sections. However, the questions asked in the exam cover the basic details only, and not the higher level applications.
Take a look at the following table for knowing the topics which need to be covered for this exam –
SSC CGL AAO Syllabus for Finance and Accounting – (80 marks)
Here are the topic which candidates need to cover for Finance and Accounting section of SSC CGL AAO –
| Nature and Scope of Financial Accounting | Limitations of Financial Accounting |
| Basic Concepts and Conventions | Manufacturing Account |
| Generally Accepted Accounting Principles | Trading Account |
| Single and Double Entry System | Profit and Loss Appropriation Account |
| Books of Original Entry | Balance Sheet |
| Bank Reconciliation | Capital and Revenue Items |
| Journal | Depreciation Accounting |
| Ledgers | Valuation of Inventory |
| Trial Balance | Accounting for non-profit organization |
| Rectification of Errors | Bills of exchange |
| Income & Expenditure and Receipt & Payment account | Self Balancing Ledgers |
SSC CGL AAO Syllabus for Economy and Governance -(120 marks)
| Constitutional provisions, role and responsibilities of CAG | Meaning and factors of production |
| Role and Functions of Finance Commission | Laws of production – Law of variable proportions and law of returns to scale |
| Definition of Economics, Micro and Macro Economics | Various types of market (perfect competition, monopoly, monopolistic and oligopoly) |
| Scope and Nature of Economics | Price determination in different markets |
| Methods of Economic Study | Nature of Indian Economy – Role of Agriculture and other sectors |
| Central Problem of an Economy | Problems and Growth of Services and Industries |
| Production possibilities curve | National Income |
| Meaning and Determinants of Demand | Methods of calculating National Income |
| Law of Demand | Population – Size, growth and implications on economy |
| Elasticity of Demand (Price, Income Cross Elasticity) | Poverty and unemployment |
| Theory of Consumer behavior – Marshallian Approach and Indifference curve approach | Infrastructure – Energy, transport and communication |
| Meaning and Determinants of supply | Reforms of 1991 – Liberalization, Privatization and Globalization |
| Law of supply and elasticity of supply | Monetary Policy and Fiscal Policy |
| Role and functions of RBI, RRBs, Commercial Banks and Payment Banks | Budget and Fiscal Deficits, Balance of payments |
| Role of Information Technology in Governance | Fiscal Policy and Budget Management Act, 2003 |
SSC CGL AAO Preparation Tips
Candidates also need to understand that having proper strategy and method of study is also important for SSC CGL AAO exams. To ace this exam, Candidates can follow the preparation tips mentioned below –
- Starting with NCERT books is always preferred as these provide a very good explanation of basics.
- Candidates must not leave the numerical questions of accounting as they carry high weightage.
- Numerical questions asked on accounting are not of very high level, therefore, candidates must not waste time on tough questions.
- Candidates must keep themselves up to date with current economic and financial news.
- In economics, graph based questions can be asked. Therefore, candidates must cover the graphs of chapters like law of demand, law of supply, production possibilities curve, returns to scale and all such chapters properly.
- Candidates can refer to ICAI’s website for basic understanding of concepts.
- Many youtube channels and videos are there on economics and accounts, and candidates may refer to them for explanations. ‘Khan Academy’ has a very good playlist on economics; some basic chapters can be covered from this channel as well.
- The key to ace this exam is having good knowledge of basics, therefore, candidates must understand every topic with strong basics.
- Mock tests are an important part of preparation. Candidates should take 5 to 10 mocks for understanding their preparation level and covering weak areas.
