ICAEW pass rates

The ICAEW March professional level exams are out, and for those who sat just one paper the pass rate was 74.3%. That means 25.7%, or 613 students, came away from the March sitting with nothing to show this time around. Some 316 students opted to sit three papers and 72.5% of these sitters passed all three, another 17.1% passed two out of the three they sat.

When it comes to the papers, Business Strategy and Technology had the highest pass rate at 91.7%. The lowest pass rate this time around was the FAR (UK GAAP) paper with 61.5%, but only 13 students sat this paper in March. All the other paper pass rates ranged from 74.8% to 80.5% (see below).

A total of 3,937 students sat in the March 2023 session, and some 5,786 exams were attempted. In all 2,908 students passed all the exams they sat and some 914 now move on to the final level, having passed all the professional papers. Of these, some 433 passed all their level papers without failing an exam.

It’s a common issue, particularly for people in high-stress, highperformance jobs. The pressure of having to be a perfect version of yourself can take its toll, and often addictive behaviours arise as a coping strategy.

“The most important thing to remember is that you’re not alone. There is no shame in seeking help, and there’s always someone out there who is there to listen.”

To support ICAEW chartered accountants who are struggling with addiction, caba has launched a new online hub of support content for addiction.

In partnership with the mental healthcare experts at Psych Health, they have created help guides for spotting the signs of addiction, getting the right help and supporting a friend or family member with an addiction

Some 20 years ago PQ magazine held its first-ever awards night at the Cross in London’s King’s Cross. Much has changed in those 20 years, but there has been one constant – our PQs of the Year winners! Back in 2003 that winner was Emma James, an AAT from South Wales. Now a qualified ACCA, she is a senior lecturer in accounting and finance at Swansea University. Back in 2003 she made the PQ front cover along with her daughter Shannon, so it seemed only appropriate we show you them just about to go into the PQ awards 2023!

Technical issues at MyACCA

ACCA was recently forced to extend the standard entry exam deadline for another 48 hours due to ‘technical issues’ with MyACCA. Standard entry for the June exams had to be extended to midnight on 3 May (BST).

The move has led to some students wondering if the standard entry date should be moved nearer the exam permanently. As one student said: “They have proved they can still get us all booked in by 3 May, so why not push that back even further.”

Another PQ agreed, and told PQ: “If the ACCA was really on our side, they would do away with the late closing date altogether and those mad fees that go with it.”

Espresso smart hacks for exam success

If you want to learn how to avoid revision pitfalls and how to find your ‘flow’, then you need an espresso short webinar from caba!

Our newly crowned PQ magazine Public Sector Lecturer of the Year, Jenni Rose, led the latest session, which are designed for you to watch over a cuppa. Rose will help you create a revision plan that you will actually stick to and she was joined by FI’s Gareth John, who explained how to make every minute count in the exam.

For more go to https://tinyurl. com/yt7c85fe

Follow the money

If money is what made you chose accountancy, then you need to work in the pharmaceutical industry

in Canary Wharf!

The latest GAAPweb salary survey has hit the streets and it found that that the average salary for an accountant working in the pharmaceutical sector is £92,206, with fintech following close behind with an average salary of £91,905.

London retained its reputation as the highest-earning location, and those working in Canary Wharf earned the most.

The survey also found 68% of accountants working hybrid. Check out more revelations on page 42