By Byrne, David
As the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland moves forward with plans to introduce its new syllabus and associated changes to the examination system, there are opportunities for suitably qualified Chartered Accountants to bring their individual expertise and knowledge to the process. David Byrne, Examinations Manager, describes what’s happening and how ICAI members can get involved. The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland (ICAI) is phasing in its new syllabus over the period 2008 to 2010. New features include continuous assessment, and a strong focus on competency in both the syllabus and the examination.
The examination parts are
* CA Proficiency 1,
* CA Proficiency 2, and
* Final Admitting Examination (FAE).
The first session of the new Final Admitting Examination will be held in September 2010.
It will comprise two core integrated case studies covering the entire syllabus, and three elective papers from which candidates must choose one from
* Auditing,
* Tax, and
* Strategic Management and Business Finance.
Case Studies
The case studies will aim to reflect as much as possible real life work-based problems, with candidates required to assume different roles depending on the material in the case. Embedded in each case study will be a variety of issues which the candidates will be expected to respond to. On the basis of those responses, candidates will be judged to be ‘competent’ or otherwise.
Candidates will be expected to demonstrate competency in terms of the depth and breadth of their knowledge.
The education system is being adapted to equip students for this assessment of their competency.
Sample Papers
Three sets of sample papers will be published well in advance of the first new syllabus FAE. Drafting of both the sample and actual examination papers will be conducted using workshop methodology.
The drafting of the two core papers will be undertaken by multidisciplinary teams of authors with significant leadership from the FAE Board and support from the Executive at ICAI.
Authoring the FAE Case Studies
ICAI is looking to recruit authors to work in teams on the development of two core FAE case studies. Authoring the case studies will be a collaborative process where members of the team will bring their individual special expertise to the assignment, complementing each other in terms of their expertise and background. Each case study will be the product of the interaction of all the authors and will reflect a fusion of their different knowledge and skills. We hope that the workshop discussions will stimulate ideas and achieve extra creativity.
How To Get Involved
Paul O’Connor, a partner with PricewaterhouseCoopers and Chairman of the Education, Training and Lifelong Learning Board at ICAI, told Accountancy Ireland that the Board is currently seeking to identify suitably qualified Chartered Accountants with an interest in becoming involved in this assignment.
“From the Board’s perspective, the new FAE represents a new and better way of assessing candidates. The case studies will be much closer to the situations that candidates will face in their professional careers. It is bound to be interesting and challenging for all those involved. The participants will be part of an exciting, creative project in a key function of the Institute – the assessment of new members,” Mr O’Connor said.
Other benefits of participating include:
* A facility to keep up to date in your preferred subject areas.
* An opportunity to enhance your soft skills and to be a team player.
* An opportunity to explore the connections between the different subject specialisms within the broad discipline of Chartered Accountancy.
* Personal networking opportunities.
* CPD recognition for your participation
* Payment
To Be Considered
You don’t have to be a past exam prize winner to participate in authoring examination papers and case studies. Volunteers should be qualified Chartered Accountants with an interest in education and in giving something back to the next generation of members. As the case studies will reflect commercial situations, a detailed technical knowledge in specialist areas is not required. It is just as important to have people with a broad range of experience as well as those with specialist knowledge and experience.
Time Commitment
You can get involved with as little as a couple of days a year commitment, spread between meetings / workshops and preparatory work.
You might indicate that you are willing to have an involvement for 12 or 24 months’ duration. Within the agreed period, the Board will identify the assignments it wishes you to work on and the time commitment required for each.
Conclusion
We need new blood in the education process as we embark on a revamped FAE. This is an opportunity for you to get involved.
To find out more about authoring at FAE level, at earlier examination levels or to help out in other areas please contact [email protected].
“From the Board’s perspective, the new FAE represents a better way of assessing candidates … participants [authoring the new examination papers and case studies] will be part of an exciting, creative project in a key function of the Institute …”
Paul O’Connor, FCA, Chairman, Education & Training Board, Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland.
David Byrne is Examinations Manager at the ICAI. Email: [email protected]
Copyright Institute of Chartered Accountants In Ireland Apr 2008
(c) 2008 Accountancy Ireland. Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning. All rights Reserved.
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