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LISA NELSON
Why the pause matters
Let me start with a confession: what I’m about to describe could have been me as a student of accountancy. My tutor has explained a topic using an excellent worked example then asks, “Does that make sense, any questions?” They pause, I say nothing, there’s a deafening silence and it starts to feel uncomfortable. After what seems like five minutes the tutor says, “Good, if there are no questions, let’s move on.” Although everyone is relieved, this was a missed learning opportunity. In reality, the pause was nowhere near five minutes, it just felt like it. Research carried out in the 1970s by Mary Budd Rowe identified the average length of a pause is around 0.9 seconds! More importantly, she discovered that in order to have a positive impact on learning, the pause should be over three seconds. There are, of course, good reasons why tutors don’t pause for long – learners seem happier, they don’t want to lose the class because of the silence and to maintain engagement with the lesson they want it to be relatively fast-paced. But here’s the problem – if the pause is too short, learners don’t have sufficient time to absorb, manipulate and organise the information to answer the question, resulting in sub-optimal learning. So, next time you are in class don’t be afraid to ask for a little more time to think, or if there’s a pause, fill it by reflecting on what you have just learned. Make the most of the silence. Lisa Nelson is Director of Learning at Kaplan
Have audit qualification will travel In a ‘first-of-its-kind’ agreement the UK and New Zealand have agreed to recognise the audit qualifications of the other country. This should mean auditors can now work between both countries much more easily. The Memorandum of Understanding on Reciprocal Arrangements (MOURA) was signed by the UK’s Financial Reporting Council (FRC) and the NZ Financial Markets Authority (FMA) – the competent audit authorities for each country. The UK and New Zealand signed a free trade agreement in February 2022, which included an annex on recognition of professional
qualifications, encouraging regulators to establish routes to recognition and remove costly and burdensome requirements. The FRC is currently exploring similar arrangements with other countries that are important markets to the UK, to further widen the audit talent pool, subject to thorough assessments of the qualifications. The FRC’s Acting CEO and Executive Director of Supervision, Sarah Rapson (pictured), said: “The FRC welcomes this first-of-itskind agreement which will attract auditors to the UK, strengthen audit relations between the UK and NZ and support the Government’s
commitment to recognise professional qualifications internationally. “It ensures a more efficient pathway for senior auditors to work in both countries, boosting access to a wider pool of auditors, while upholding the high professional standards expected of auditors.”
Time to evolve the ACA qualification ICAEW PQs are being asked how they would change the ACA qualification. The institute is currently conducting a consultation with students, members and employers about the evolution of the qualification. It said the insight generated from stakeholders should help it “better understand developments in the workplace and profession, and how these should be reflected in the ACA”. ICAEW said over recent years
it has introduced a number of innovations, including:
• The implementation of technology into the qualification, including the use of workplace data analytics software in exams. • Embedding sustainability through the qualification. ICAEW MD Education and Training, Will Holt (pictured), said there are some big changes and evolutions happening across the profession and the workplace. He felt it was important ICAEW hears everyone’s views on these changes, so they are reflected into the future ACA qualification.
Thousands overcharged on student loans Thousands of graduates have been overcharged on their student loan repayments because of payroll software failures, according to the Daily Telegraph. The newspaper said around £1.6 million was taken from 16,000 workers – that equates to around £104 each. Those
affected are graduates who operate as a sole trader and claim benefits in kind or anyone earning over £100,000. HMRC is now writing to those affected. The Telegraph estimated that those who began their course in the 2022/23 academic year will leave with a degree and average debt of £45,600.
invited. You had to have joined CIMA after 1 October 2022, said the apology.
sector awards for Accountancy and Actuarial. Over 70,000 students applied to 1,618 graduate and 175 school leaver places at PwC, with the firm recently welcoming its latest cohort. Last month PwC announced it would honour offers made to students joining the firm as school and college leaver apprentices, regardless of their final A-level results, and earlier in the summer reassured university students that marking delays would not impact
In brief New Member celebration confusion Some new CIMA members have been less than impressed by the timing of the New Members’ Celebrations’! The one in central London is due to take place on Wednesday 1 November. “When we are drowning in month end,” said one NQ. However, the annoyance for some didn’t end there, as CIMA had to send out a quick apology to some members because only the most recent new members were 4
PwC top graduate employer PwC has been voted the UK’s number-one graduate employer in The Times Top 100 Graduate Employers survey 2023. The ranking is based on interviews with over 13,000 final year students at 32 universities across the UK. The firm also won first place
their ability to start their graduate jobs. Compromising at work The largest survey of Black British people has found that 98% of participants have had to compromise who they are or how they express themselves to fit in the workplace, including adapting hairstyles. Appearance and cultural background are cited as factors influencing lack of promotion or opportunities to develop at work. PQ Magazine November 2023
