Latest from PQ magazine
A weekly round-up of the latest news from the world of accountancy, brought to you by PQ Magazine, the leading magazine for part-qualified and passed finalist accountants.
Week commencing 30 September 2008
Think concrete
Forget about a glass ceiling – instead most women they are facing a reinforced concrete ceiling, says the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). In its annual survey of women in power the equality body found that there are now fewer women holding high-flying jobs compared to five years ago. The report has worked out it will be another 73 years before gender equality comes to the FTSE 100 companies. The report authors also suggest if women are to shatter the glass ceiling and achieve equal representation some 5,600 ‘missing’ women need to be found for the 31,000 top positions of power in Britain today. PwC’s director of diversity and inclusion, Sarah Churchman felt the report paints a depressing picture. She explained: “At PwC we recognised over five years ago that this was not just a retention issue, but one of building and sustaining our future pipeline of female talent. Tokenism is not the right response, although many go down this road for a ‘quick fix’. “ Churchman said PwC was seeing changes and that investment is paying off. Some 29% of our new partners this year are female compared to 13% in 2000.
The Apprentice
BPP has announced it will be offering Apprenticeship courses in AAT at 13 of its training centres across the UK, following the successful application for funding from the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). BPP is offering two qualifications under the Apprenticeship scheme – accountancy and payroll.
To be eligible to apply for an Apprenticeship students must be aged between 16-24 years, although there are some BPP training centres that offer funding for over 25’s. Students must be working in a full-time accountancy or payroll related role, be able to attend classroom courses (if taking accountancy) and must not be a graduate. BPP’s Clare Buck said the funding will be a great source of help to those who were previously not able to afford the course and will open up career opportunities to many students.
International Guide
Accountancy students coming to the UK to study must make sure they start passing exams straight away, according to a top London college. Attendance was also paramount as if you don’t pass your exams the Home Office will not renew your visa. “They are getting quite strict on that now,” explained a leading lecturer. It was felt that international students won’t find the UK particularly cheap. They also aren’t helped by the restriction in the number of hours they can work – just 20 a week. However, he stressed this is the law and students must adhere to the rules.
The PQ essential guide was given away free with this month’s issue. If you missed a copy you can pick up a guide at the ACCA’s reception at Lincoln’s Inn Fields or by emailing graham@pqaccountant.com.
Get half right!
The ACCA’s CAT qualification just got harder! From next summer the pass mark at the advanced level papers will rise from 40% to 50%. All exams will also now include some multiple choice questions. The ACCA believes by bringing the pass mark in line with its professional qualification students will be more prepared for what lies ahead.
The big and the powerful
The Daily Telegraph recently did a big list of the most powerful people in British business. So where were the accountants - no-where as usual! In the public sector list, for example, the CIPFA CEO Steve Freer, didn’t even make the list. Mervyn King the Governor of the Bank on England was number one. Deloitte partner Keith Leslie came in at 80 and the CEO of Birmingham City Council came in at number 72. Steve left that job to join CIPFA. With no real accountancy correspondent or apparent love for accountancy it is hardly surprising accountants don’t get on the Telegraph list. So is the Telegraph seems to be read by people who think they still run the country, or just live in it?
However, current CAT students need not fear, they can still fail more than they pass and still pass! The announced changes will not apply until the exam schedule for June 2009.
Give us feedback
Keep us on our toes and focused, pleaded CIPFA’s E&T director at the recent NSF conference, sponsored by PQ Magazine. He admitted that the institute doesn’t always get things right first time, adding: “But what helps us is your feedback.” He also revealed that pass rates have been improving and his spies have told him that early indications are that this trend is continuing. Ranges of enhancements to the Student Learning Centre were also announced for August time.
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