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ICAS: Accounting firms reap benefits from a redefined approach to accounting training
UK accountancy firms have praised the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS) for its redefined, market-leading approach to accounting training.
The new approach is already delivering impressive results for students and businesses through an evolved delivery model that gives students a more engaging experience and employers greater control.
ICAS launched a new curriculum and learning model in March, marking the biggest change to the way it trains accounting students in its 170-year history. The new curriculum was created in response to the demands of the accounting profession for a qualification that meets its challenges and helps attract the best talent. It comes alongside a pioneering training model in the UK that provides unrivalled flexibility for employers and improved outcomes for students.
Ben Sutherland, from MHA, who has a group of students following the new curriculum, said: “The launch of the new ICAS curriculum has been a resounding success for MHA, with all of our Edinburgh students passing their knowledge and skills subjects.
“The combination of self-study, interactive online courses and in-centre workshops has significantly enhanced the student experience, promoting deeper engagement with ICAS and more comprehensive learning.
“In addition, the increased flexibility in course enrolment allows us to better support our students’ study schedules, ensuring they can balance their educational and professional commitments. This approach not only meets the needs of our students, but also maintains the high quality of service we offer to our customers.
“We look forward to next semester when our first group of students will progress to the new Integration level.”
ICAS’ new learner experience integrates cutting-edge digital course technology with interactive tutor-led workshops. In shaping the new curriculum, ICAS has responded to calls from businesses and businesses for greater flexibility in how accountants are trained to minimise disruption to business. Learners now have the option to choose between taking their assessments at home or in the office with online proctoring, or in a proctored assessment centre. Learners also now receive their assessment results within two weeks, enabling them to progress quickly to the next stage of their training journey.
Jill Macdonald, assistant account manager at Saffery, said: “The new program feels more modern, with interactive material to work with rather than just pages of notes.
“There is a good mix of digital courses, free online sessions and face-to-face workshop days, which gives students a variety of learning styles. It is well structured, as home study days must be completed before the next workshop day to keep students on track.”
Gail Boag – ICAS Chief Executive for Apprenticeships
Early evidence is that the new curriculum and experience are yielding positive results. The first cohort of students to complete courses at the initial Knowledge level of the new curriculum achieved an average pass rate of 94%. This represents a 14% increase in results achieved in 2023 by students at the comparable level of the previous curriculum.
Gail Boag, Executive Director of Learning at ICAS, said: “Our new, future-facing curriculum has been launched to ensure the CA qualification remains relevant in an evolving business landscape.
“We have reached another significant milestone as the first students to take our new knowledge courses have received their assessment results. The fantastic pass rates are an early indication that our efforts to improve the experience and promote more positive outcomes for students are already paying dividends.”