MAJOR INNOVATIONS to ACCA’s masters level qualification have been revealed by the institute.
The changes intend to meet the challenges of the 21st century’s disruptive economy. Helen Brand OBE, chief executive of ACCA, said: “Our ground-breaking redesign of the ACCA Qualification will give students the forward-thinking strategic abilities and advanced skill-set required of modern professional accountants, as they play senior executive roles in business.”
Included in the innovations are ‘strategic professional level exams’, which will replace the existing professional level exams in September 2018. A new Ethics and Professional Skills module will be introduced in October 2017.
The redesign includes an exam for ‘strategic business leader’, ‘strategic business reporting’, and an ‘ethics and professional skills’ module. The innovations came following a two-year review in consultation with members, employers and learning providers.
Helen Brand, added: “We’ve listened carefully to not just what current professionals and employers think are essential skills in the here and now, but we’ve also carefully considered what will be vital attributes in the professional accountants of the future, to 2020 and beyond.”
Added to the developments, ACCA is also offering the world’s first Master’s degree integrated with a professional accountancy qualification, delivered in partnership with the University of London. This unique arrangement means students can take the Master’s route while completing their Strategic Professional exams, or take the Master’s degree after the ACCA Qualification.
Helen Brand, concluded: “The ACCA qualification is the only professional accountancy qualification which combines local relevance with international best practice. This means that our members are able to work at the highest level in any industry in any sector.”