Monday, October 3, 2011

Accountants as eProfessionals: ACCA announces project for on demand exams


ACCA signs contract with Summit Consulting Group for provision of on demand examinations; Technology will be used to enhance assessment of work-ready accountants; Innovation central to ACCA’s vision for the future
ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), the global body for professional accountants, announces today (16 June) that it has signed a contract with Summit Consulting Group to deliver all ACCA examinations online through an innovative eAssessment programme.

The contract with Summit means that ACCA’s move to online delivery will bring greater choice and access for employers and students around the world who choose ACCA qualifications for their professional training.
Helen Brand, ACCA’s chief executive, says: 'ACCA was founded on distinct core values – one of which is innovation. As a global professional accountancy body, we have a proud tradition of leading the way in new developments, particularly those that create greater opportunity to access a highly-regarded international professional accountancy qualification.'
Helen Brand adds: 'This new development with Summit is the next step in our journey. As we develop our new eAssessment model, ACCA will be able to test students’ knowledge and skills in a way which more accurately reflects real-life workplace scenarios and activities. Employers have told us that this is what they want for the future. Also, feedback has shown that employers and students want greater flexibility and options of when our globally-recognised qualifications can be taken – and not just twice a year as is the current model with ACCA.'
John Sotiros, President of Summit Consulting Group, said: 'Summit has long been a leader in providing innovative solutions to the testing marketplace. We are very excited to be partnering with ACCA, the leading global body for professional accountants. The coupling of our innovative technology with ACCA's global presence will redefine the way computer based testing is done. Our industry will be a tremendous beneficiary of these efforts now and well into the future.'
Helen Brand concludes: 'The world of work is changing, becoming increasingly online. We are therefore now working towards new ways of developing professional skills which will meet the needs of employers in the online world. ACCA is innovating to develop and support the eProfessional and Summit’s technology and expertise will enable ACCA to assess work-ready professional accountants with the skills needed in this increasingly online world.'
Summit Consulting Group will work with ACCA to introduce eAssessment on a phased basis, working with ACCA to ensure its existing Computer Based Exams (CBE) - such as Managing Costs and Finance and Accountant in Business - will still be available.  The first papers will transition to the new system in 2012 with all papers being phased over the next few years.
ACCA already offers Computer Based Exams (CBE), first introducing them in 1998, and has since implemented e-paper production and e-marking of its scripts.
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SOURCE : http://www.accaglobal.com/en/discover/news/2011/06/eProfessionals-exams.html 

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