Now the results of the December 2001 examinations are out, you will almost
certainly be thinking about your next examination step. But have you considered
what you need to do to fulfil the other crucial part of achieving your qualification
– satisfying the practical training requirement?
Ideally, all students should be documenting the work experience they wish
to count towards qualification on an ongoing basis.
If you have not been keeping your training records up-to-date, here is the
vital information you need to get started.
How do you record your practical experience?
Any experience you wish to count towards qualification should be documented
in your ACCA training record, which you would have received on registration.
ACCA Professional Scheme students use the Student Training Record (STR); ACCA
Accounting Technician students use the Technician Training Record (TTR). If
you need another STR/TTR, you can obtain a replacement from Training at ACCA,
free of charge (see contact details at the end of this article).
What kind of practical experience do you need?
The practical experience must:
- be relevant (i.e. of an accounting nature);
- be supervised;
- satisfy the minimum competence requirements set for the qualification for
which you are studying. The competence requirements are detailed in your STR/TTR
and can also be viewed on ACCA’s website at: www.accaglobal.com/students
The necessary experience can be gained at any time – either before, during
or after the examinations in one, or a combination of, the following employment
sectors:
- industry;
- commerce;
- public sector;
- public practice.
How much experience do I need?
ACCA Professional Scheme students need three years’ experience. ACCA Accounting
Technician students who do not have an NVQ4 in Accounting need one year’s
experience.
Who can act as your supervisor?
Wherever possible, your Supervisor should be a line manager who holds the following
qualifications:
ACCA Accounting Technician:
- a qualified Chartered Certified Accountant or ACCA Accounting Technician;
or
- a member of an accountancy or auditing body recognised by law in your country
of employment.
ACCA Professional Scheme:
- a qualified Chartered Certified Accountant; or
- a member of an accountancy or auditing body recognised by law in your country
of employment.
What does your supervisor need to do?
Your Supervisor should review your work regularly to check that you are meeting
the practical experience requirements for qualification. S/he is responsible
for judging whether you have achieved the competence requirements and signing
off the elements of competence in your STR/TTR. Your Supervisor should review
and verify your STR/TTR at least annually (or every six months if you are a
Professional Scheme student working in an ACCA Approved Training Practice).
If your direct supervisor is not an accountant, can s/he still sign off
my STR/TTR?
Yes, provided it is countersigned by someone appropriately qualified e.g. your
organisation’s auditors or someone more senior within your organisation,
who holds an appropriate accounting qualification.
Is there a time limit for gaining experience?
Your training can be completed before, during or after registering with ACCA
and completing the examinations. There is also no time limit to gaining the
practical experience required for qualification purposes.
Can you use experience gained in a part-time or temporary position?
Yes, provided that the work experience is of a sufficient breadth and depth
to contribute towards meeting the competence requirements for qualification.
Part-time experience must be counted towards meeting the practical experience
requirements on a pro-rata basis (e.g. one year of work for two and a half days
per week would equal six months' experience). However, you may find that part-time
or temporary experience does not provide you with the necessary opportunities
for development and, as a result, will not allow you to achieve the minimum
competence requirements for qualification.
Can you use experience gained while studying for another professional accountancy
qualification in meeting the practical experience requirements?
Yes, provided that the experience can be documented in your STR/TTR and signed
off by whoever acted as your Supervisor.
If you need any further guidance or advice on the practical experience required
for qualification, please contact:
Training
ACCA
29 Lincoln's Inn Fields
London
WC2A 3EE
tel: +44 (0)20 7396 5810/20
fax: +44 (0)20 7396 5957
email: info@accaglobal.com
www.accaglobal.com/students
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