ICAS has announced the biggest shake up in how it trains accountancy students with a new focus on training flexibility and modular learning
The new syllabus and learning delivery model is based on future-focused themes of sustainability, technology, and business ethics, alongside the core technical accountancy skills of the institute’s Chartered Accountant (CA) qualification.
Training will be spread across four terms a year and students will be able to forward plan as details of modules for the full three-year course will be available from the outset.
The revamped syllabus has taken two years to develop and will be rolled out to the 4,500 students who are currently training for a CA qualification across the UK. Currently 800 students qualify as an ICAS CA each year.
The first ICAS students enrolled onto the new syllabus begin their courses on 22 March 2024, with a continued rollout throughout the year.
By 2025, the previous syllabus will be phased out entirely and all ICAS students across the UK will be training under the new syllabus.
Sustainability and the impacts of technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) are rapidly driving changes in the business environment and shaping the next generation’s career expectations. New courses cover topics such as data analytics and business intelligence, and students learn directly on digital platforms, such as Xero and Power BI.
The new syllabus was created in response to demands from the accountancy profession for a qualification that meets their challenges and helps them attract the best talent.
Gail Boag, executive director of learning at ICAS, said: ‘The introduction of the new syllabus and learning delivery model is the biggest leap forward yet in the way we train CAs.
‘It allows us to keep pace with the influence of global socioeconomics and technology on business today.
‘Firms were calling for greater flexibility in how we train students, and now thanks to our new model this is possible.
‘While we have always updated our syllabus to reflect global developments to make sure that each generation of CAs remains relevant, this change is more significant, reflecting technological and other geopolitical factors that both enable and disrupt the profession.
‘The method in which we deliver the CA training has evolved dramatically, creating the best possible learning environment which combines remote digital learning with in-person classroom and community events.’
Scheduled across four terms each year, there are now more enrolment options and greater control over the paths students can follow. Employers can also choose how quickly their students progress and how often and when they are in the office focused on work and clients.
For the first time, employers and students will be able to see their course schedules three years in advance, and new electives provide opportunities for specialisation and role-relevant learning. All this is delivered while still maintaining the high levels of challenge and integrity for which the CA qualification has long been known.
The syllabus also features additional touchpoints that maximise students’ engagement with tutors and peers. These include in-person workshops, pre-assessment drop-in sessions and ICAS’ first ever UK-national induction event, which will be held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre on 9 September.
Bruce Cartwright CA, CEO at ICAS said: ‘The introduction of this new syllabus represents one of the biggest changes we’ve ever made. We believe it goes beyond the numbers, to foster the ethical mindset, technical skills, professional knowledge and practical experience that will establish CAs as the business leaders of the future.’