Membership
The key roles of the division are to develop and implement:
- the membership policy, to assure the quality of those entering membership, and
- the continuing professional development (CPD) policy, to ensure members remain competent.
The division assesses applications for membership of the three Colleges, Certificates of Public Practice (CPPs), and retired membership and concessionary status; accredits tertiary institutions (ATEIs); and approves mentors and training organisations (ATOs). It also provides ongoing quality assurance of ATEIs, Advanced Business Education Ltd and ATOs, and of members’ CPD.
Assessments, accreditations and approvals are carried out in line with the rules of the Institute and approved policies, and meet the highest international standards.
This divisional report outlines:
Progress on last year's goals
- Renewal of reciprocal membership arrangements with the Institutes of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, South Africa, and Canada, and the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants.
Renewal was agreed in principle following a series of bi-lateral reviews of standards of admission. - Accreditation of tertiary institutions to deliver the ACA academic programmes.
Development of accreditation criteria is an integral part of the current review of the CA and ACA academic programmes. - Review of the CA admission policy and requirements.
This review has been expanded to include ACA admission requirements. Proposals were exposed for stakeholder comment in August 2008. - Rewriting the AT Log Book and Mentor Guidelines.
New guidelines have been published. - Review of CPD policy.
The review to ensure alignment with international standards and best practice began during this year. - Monitoring and auditing members’ compliance with CPD requirements.
Monitoring and auditing began in this period. - Admission of senior academics to the CA College.
23 senior academics were admitted in accordance with criteria specific to senior academics as approved by Council. - Admission of members to ACA College under the special entry route.
596 members were admitted to provisional and full ACA membership. - Introduction of online CPD Log for members.
Delivery was deferred due to delay in receiving technical assistance. - Providing student access to a web-based self-assessment tool.
Delivery was deferred due to delay in receiving technical assistance.
Coming year
- Complete the review of the current CA and ACA admissions policy and communicate policy proposals and approved changes.
- Implement outcomes from the review of CA and ACA admissions policy.
- Complete the review of the current CPD policy, consult members on draft proposals and attain Council approval for finalised proposals.
- Review and update the recognition accorded to non-GAA international professional accounting qualifications for the purpose of granting appropriate exemptions from admission requirements.
- Review of the criteria used to assess general practical experience for admission purposes.
- Review of the competencies academics are required to demonstrate to satisfy the practical experience requirements for admission.
- Refinement of the competence criteria to be met by members applying for Certificates of Public Practice.
- Develop the Institute’s capability to accept membership applications in electronic format.
- Deliver an electronic online CPD log for use by members.
