ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) and the British Council have signed an agreement to provide a global, secure exam centre network for ACCA’s paper based exams (PBE) and computer based exams (CBE) in the UK and in the 100 countries where the British Council operates.
Across Australia, 559 students sat ACCA examinations between 7 and 11 March as part of the new agreement. Country Director Helen O’Neil said the local interest in the tests showed the growing importance of internationally-recognised professional qualifications. “We are seeing student interest in a variety of British qualifications and courses offered. With the roll out of computer based exams we expect to see further growth,” she said.
The agreement builds on the long-standing relationship between ACCA and the British Council, which is currently ACCA’s main exam centre provider for its paper based exams, providing over half of the venues in ACCA’s international network. It was signed by Helen Brand OBE, ACCA’s Chief Executive and Mark Robson, Director, English and Examinations, at the British Council, at ACCA’s London office.
Helen Brand said at the signing: “This new agreement sees the British Council provide ACCA’s future exam centre network in the UK and overseas, exclusively for ACCA students. This deal supports the roll-out of ACCA’s new computer based exams for ACCA’s Fundamentals Skills Level (F5-F9) exams from September 2016 onwards.
“CBEs are an exciting development for ACCA, as we incorporate spread sheets and word processing to better reflect the tasks that students have to do well in the workplace.”
Sir Ciarán Devane, CEO of the British Council, said of the agreement: “The British Council works to build mutual knowledge and understanding between people overseas and people in the UK. A very important part of this work involves building trust and creating opportunities by enabling access to UK education around the world.
“We understand the value UK qualifications can bring to individuals in other countries. They open up careers and connect people with like-minded professionals. I am very proud that thanks to the British Council's knowledge of local markets and our expertise in secure and professional exams delivery, we are the partner of choice for over 150 UK awarding bodies.
“I am therefore extremely happy that ACCA one of our long-term partners, has chosen to work with us on the move to CBT delivery both overseas and in the UK.”
In Australia, the British Council offers exams services for a number of British organisations including ACCA. The recent round of testing saw tests offered in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.
About ACCA’s CBEs and PBEs:
- The introduction of ACCA’s CBEs has been on a phased basis.
- ACCA’s F5 - F9 exams will start their transition to CBT towards the end of 2016, with students initially having the choice of CBT or paper exams. ACCA has agreed with learning providers and employers that any changes being introduced across the ACCA Qualification will be phased, ensuring they, and students, have time to adapt to the changes.
- F1 - F4, and Foundation level equivalents, will still be offered through ACCA’s on demand network.
- ACCA will have separate test centres for paper and CBE. ACCA will also have CBE centres in the same locations as the paper centres to ensure that as ACCA moves to the new set-up; all students will have the same access to a professional exam centre offered by the British Council.
- There are approximately 324 centres internationally, a number which changes depending on the number of students sitting exams in each session, with centres added and removed as necessary.
- In January 2015, ACCA signed an agreement with Pearson VUE for the provision of computer based testing (CBT) across ACCA’s Fundamentals Skills Level (F5 - F9) exams.