What s next after ACCA?

Transcription

1 What s next after ACCA? PwC s Academy Mentoring programme University of London MSc in Professional Accountancy

2 Contents 1. About PwC s Academy 3 2. About University of London (UoL) 4 3. MSc in Professional Accountancy 5 4. Entry requirements 6 5. About our mentoring programme 8 6. Mentoring programme agenda 9 7. Meet our mentors 11 PwC s Academy 2

3 About PwC s Academy Who we are We are the learning and education business of PwC operating across the Middle East and are part of a growing network of PwC Academies present in over 35 countries worldwide. We have been developing our own people for over 100 years and it is this deep experience of helping professionals become business leaders that is embedded into all PwC s Academy programmes. We are different because we use both subject matter experts within the PwC network and dedicated Academy staff, each of whom bring their wealth of knowledge and practical experience. What we do We offer a variety of training courses, based on the best practices of PwC s global network of firms and the individual experiences of our experts. We constantly adapt our courses to meet the needs of modern business, customising them to our students requirements and assisting our students in reaching their organisational training and strategic objectives. We deliver learning that blends classroom training with innovative tools including the latest educational technologies, so that learning is relevant, sustainable and fun. How we do it We believe in the development of talent through building on what people know, how they think and what they can do not as separate components but as an integrated process to create impact and deliver change. We design our programmes to deliver the knowledge, mindset and skills needed to solve today s important problems and predict, prevent and manage tomorrow s. UoL MSc Mentoring Programme 3

4 About University of London (UoL) Established in 1836, the University of London is the first University to give external students the opportunity to continue to earn a living while studying, and to study privately and take exams without coming to London. The university has a global network of over 52,000 students, 80 teaching institutions and 600 exam centres. Many past students have shaped the world we live in, including seven Nobel Prize winners and leaders of business, industry and science. In the 2018 QS World University Rankings, UCL is ranked 7th in the world s top universities. Its prestigious School of Management has an excellent reputation for high quality research and teaching. The School underpins that research and teaching with a focus on operations, data analytics, innovation and enterprise. What is the MSc programme? The UoL MSc in Professional Accountancy is a strategic partnership between ACCA and UoL and UCL (University College London). It provides students with the opportunity to obtain a Masters Level qualification with academic direction provided by UCL. It can effectively be completed in 6-12 months, with flexible study options such as independent study or support from a local teaching centre. PwC s Academy is proud to be the only UoL Recognised Teaching Centre in the Middle East PwC s Academy 4

5 MSc in Professional Accountancy The programme is split into two modules: Strategic Financial Project and Global Issues. Strategic Financial Project This module is a capstone project involving the development of business research skills and their application to simulated real world accounting/finance related problems. The strategic financial project includes an innovative and collaborative business simulation in which students manage a business project with other students in small international groups. This enables them to develop their accountancy skills and broaden their horizons with international collaboration. Core to the project will be the requirement for students to acquire an underpinning in research methodology, applying research skills to the collection and analysis of data within a simulated accounting/finance related scenario. This will involve identifying and analysing data and information in relation to business challenges, researching alternative solutions, and applying a judgement based on assessment of the evidence. Global Issues The module introduces students to the dynamics of the global environment within which finance and accounting models are applied. It considers the impact of those dynamics on: 1. The underlying conceptual models 2. The application of the models to find alternative solutions It covers topics such as: Sustainability (including international tax avoidance) International harmonisation of accounting standards Financial risk management and the Basel Accord Required rates of return post-financial crisis Global mergers and acquisitions Corporate valuation techniques for social media organisations UoL MSc Mentoring Programme 5

6 Entry requirements You must be a current ACCA Member or Affiliate, with passes in all nine Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills papers, the two Strategic Professional Essentials (SBL and SBR) and two Strategic Professional options from AFM, APM, ATX and AAA. If your last ACCA pass was over five years ago, you will need to demonstrate that your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) record meets ACCA policy, including an upto-date CPD declaration. You will also need to complete a certified online preparation course if your last exam was more than five years ago. English language requirements You meet the language requirement if you satisfy one of the following: You have passed the English version of the nine ACCA Applied Knowledge and Applied Skills papers (or gained exemption by completing an English-language undergraduate degree approved by ACCA) You have passed the English version of either of the Strategic Professional Essentials (SBL or SBR), or equivalent Computer requirements Students will require regular access to a computer with an internet connection to use the University of London s online resources and systems. For students to get the most from their studies, their computers should have at least the following minimum specification: A web browser (the latest version of Firefox, Chrome or Internet Explorer). This must accept cookies and have JavaScript enabled Screen resolution of 1024 x 768 or greater Sufficient bandwidth to access and upload video content The ability to play videos including sound and speakers A word processor that accepts Microsoft Word formats (.doc and.docx ) A PDF reader PwC s Academy 6

7 About our mentoring programme PwC s Academy is the ONLY provider in the region offering a formal Mentoring Programme led by ACCA training experts and finance professionals to help participants navigate their learning journey and earn a coveted degree. The programme will include: Regular focus group discussions Flexible schedules for working professionals Support from programme alumni Regular mentoring sessions with a dedicated mentor Value added courses such as content generation and structure planning Mentoring on referencing and reading academic papers by seasoned mentors Fees The fees charged by UoL are 1510 per module, making it 3020 for both modules. Other additional fees include: Module continuation fee (if you do not complete the module in the six month study session): 650 ACCA subscription fees (as normal) The mentoring programme fees are AED 3,673 per module. This is separate from the University of London fees. UoL MSc Mentoring Programme 7

8 Mentoring programme agenda Strategic Finance Project (SFP) mentoring agenda Day 1 Referencing and reading academic papers (SFP modules 1-8) Day 2 Numeracy and quantitative skills applied to financial evaluations and business management decisions (SFP modules 1-8) By the end of this day s mentoring, participants will be able to: Illustrate the practical application and underlying philosophy of research methods within the accounting and finance arena. Identify the appropriate research and enquiry techniques needed to assess accounting/finance challenges within the wider business context. Day 3 Using spreadsheet modelling to convert data into relevant information (SFP modules 1-8) By the end of this day s mentoring, participants will be able to: Display aptitude about identification, acquisition and analysis of financial and other data for business-related problems. Day 4 Mentoring for coursework 1 and Reflective learning: 3,500 words (SFP modules 9-11) By the end of this day s mentoring, participants will be able to: Illustrate and report the method of undertaking and communicating the results from an independent piece of research work. Day 5 and 6 Mentoring for final project and Reflective writing: 6,000 words (SFP modules 18-22) By the end of these two days of mentoring, participants will be able to: Report and explain about the application of theoretical models to real world business solutions. PwC s Academy 8

9 Mentoring programme agenda Strategic Finance Project (SFP) mentoring agenda Day 1 Referencing and reading academic papers, brief overview of sustainability and CSR, application of finance/accounting models, and harmonisation of accounting standards (GI modules 1-7) Day 2 Mentoring for coursework 1 and critical thinking: 25% weightage (GI modules 8-10) By the end of this day s mentoring, participants will be able to: Identify and report about the issues affecting the convergence and divergence of the international harmonisation of accounting standards for financial reporting Day 3 and 4 Mentoring for coursework 2 and critical thinking: 25% weightage (GI modules 11-14) By the end of these two days of mentoring, participants will be able to: Demonstrate and interpret the impact of the Basel Accord in relation to financial risk management and the financial operations and reporting by organisations Illustrate the role and impact of bond valuations and yields in the post-financial crisis world. Day 5 and 6 Mentoring for final project and reflective writing: 50% weightage (GI modules 15-22) By the end of these two days of mentoring, participants will be able to: Discuss and report about issues relating to the corporate valuation and initial public offerings of global companies whose assets base involve significant intangibles (e.g. social media sites Facebook, Twitter and Google). Display aptitude about issues impacting global mergers and acquisition activity. UoL MSc Mentoring Programme 9

10 Meet our mentors Chris Cain ACCA, ACG, NLP Chris is the Regional Director of Professional Qualifications at PwC s Academy. He is a Fellow and senior examiner of the Association of Corporate Governance Practitioners (ACGP) and has over 25 years of experience in professional accountancy s training and development. Waleed Minhas ACCA Waleed is a faculty member at PwC s Academy. He has over seven years of industry and training experience. He has trained hundreds of students for various professional qualifications, including ACCA and CMA, and on several financial management courses. Amanda Abraham ACCA, ACGP Amanda is a faculty member at PwC s Academy where she is involved in professional qualifications training for the FIA, ACCA and ASC programmes. Amanda is highly skilled in the use of memory aids and exam techniques, which enhance learning for her students. She also offers mentoring and coaching programmes on effective methods for qualification training. Nausher Ahmed ACCA Nausher is a faculty member at PwC s Academy and has been involved in the delivery of accounting, finance, governance, ethics and financial management. Nausher is passionate about sharing his knowledge with others and helping them learn from his experiences. He has been active in providing counselling to high school graduates at the Qatar Academy. Sagar Adhau ACCA, CIA Sagar is a senior professional qualification trainer at PwC s Academy. Result driven trainer, consultant and author with over 9 years of consulting and training experience. He is recognised as a consultant and trainer who brings together the best from practical and academic environment. Huzefa Hydrie ACCA Huzefa is a faculty member at PwC s Academy. where he delivers a range of accounting and finance courses relating to ACCA, ASC, CIMA and CMA qualifications. Huzefa has exceptional pass rates and this is due to his ability to deliver complex technical topics in an easy manner coupled with accelerated learning methodologies and exam strategies. PwC s Academy 10

11 Contact us Chris Cain Director of Professional Qualifications T: +971 (0) E: Waleed Minhas Course Manager T: +971 (0) E: Amanda Abraham Course Manager T: +971 (0) E: 2018 PwC. All rights reserved. Not for further distribution without the permission of PwC. PwC refers to the network of member firms of PricewaterhouseCoopers International Limited (PwCIL), or, as the context requires, individual member firms of the PwC network. Each member firm is a separate legal entity and does not act as agent of PwCIL or any other member firm. PwCIL does not provide any services to clients. PwCIL is not responsible or liable for the acts or omissions of any of its member firms nor can it control the exercise of their professional judgment or bind them in any way. No member firm is responsible or liable for the acts or omissions of any other member firm nor can it control the exercise of another member firm s professional judgment or bind another member firm or PwCIL in any way.