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RSM UK launches data skills programme RSM UK has unveiled a firmwide extensive digital upskilling programme, a key part of which includes an MSc in data analytics. The fully accredited degree, in partnership with BPP University, will form part of a substantial investment by RSM in data analytics skills. The firm will welcome its first cohort onto the MSc in January 2022. The qualification will cover programming and modelling for data analysis as well as emerging technology and automation, and is
being offered to staff and partners across the firm. RSM UK’s chief digital office, Chris Knowles, said: “We want
You can’t sell questions! ACCA student Miss Ying Zhong of China has been severely reprimanded after offering to sell ACCA F1, F3 and F4 exam questions on the China-based consumer site Taoboo.com. ACCA received a referral from the British Council office in China, and although the pages were subsequently removed from the website by Ms Zhong, screenshots were obtained before they were
taken down. The advert included a screenshot of an F4 exam results page, although the name of the
to give everyone at RSM the opportunity to build their data analytics and digital skills, enabling them to excel in their careers and deliver the best possible digital services to our clients. “Demand for digital skills has never been greater, and being able to story-tell with data is the absolute foundation of all other digital skills investments we are making. We need to empower our workforce to respond to the rapidly changing needs of our clients and the digital workplace.” student and exam centre had been covered over. However, Ms Zhong’s ACCA ID number was visible in the bottom lefthand corner and had not been obscured. ACCA said that it is illicit for students to sell exam questions and that, by doing so, Ms Zhong was assisting others to gain an unfair advantage in their ACCA exams. On top of the severe reprimanded she was ordered to pay cost of £5,487.
Women on the rise Women now make up 50% of the student intake of the seven accountancy bodies based in the UK and Ireland, according to figures from the Financial Reporting Council. ACCA really helps to push the number up, as 60% of its sign-ups are female. The AIA also has a healthy 57% female intake. Bottom of the list is ICAS, where the number of women signing training contracts is just 42%. Meanwhile, there has been a steady rise in the number of women attracted to the ICAEW qualification, but it still stands at only 46%. Although that’s much better than the 42% in 2016. Women now make up 37% of the qualified members of the seven bodies worldwide. ACCA again leads the way here with 48% of its members female. At the other end of the scale is the ICAEW, where women make up just 30% of its membership. Surprisingly, CIPFA isn’t much better than the ICAEW, with 33% of its members being female.
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