Guyana ACCA students possess knowledge to pass exams

…but lack required examination techniques – official
…students concerned over only 50% pass rate

Following queries by students over the 50 per cent pass rate of candidates who sat the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) examinations, the body’s Europe and Americas Change Lead, Dorothy Wood observed that while Guyanese students are equipped with the relevant knowledge the field requires, some local candidates lack examination techniques. The official made these comments at the recently held ACCA Education Conference at Cara Lodge in Georgetown, where a gathering of members, advocates and students were told of the modifications to the ACCA programme in terms of qualifications.
“In Guyana, it is not the knowledge that is lacking; it is the exam skills to apply the knowledge within the exam and that’s why I’ve been working so very closely with the tutors in Guyana to try and show them how to better help and support students to apply the knowledge in an examination through exam conditions,” Wood assured.
This was in response to questions posed which highlighted that many students of high intellect would not pass the ACCA’s exams. Wood while taking many of the comments and suggestions on board said the ACCA will not lower the standard of the examination.
Speaking on the content of the courses, the official highlighted that questions will be placed on a workplace style scenario. There will be analysis of strengths and weakness, opportunities and threats. Wood also related that there will be sources for guiding exam changes, stakeholder surveys; research and insights and focus of standards, regulation and legislation and international financial reporting.
Following the information-driven discourse, the attendees called on the ACCA to forge more collaboration with the ICAG (Institute of Chartered Accountants in Guyana) to correct the gaps that persist in the ability of students to attain at least 50 per cent. Education Manager at the ACCA, Haimchan Ramdeo responded that the United Kingdom-based institution is in collaboration with tutors and stakeholder bodies to improve the 50 per cent pass rate.
“We are engaging in discussions at the council level; we have already contacted the tutors [but] one of the things we have to also look at is pricing,” Ramdeo noted.
He called on managers at local companies to give their workers study time and financial incentives to complete the programme as the accounting qualification is seen as an asset to the workplace. He noted that companies in Jamaica and Trinidad would give their workers incentives to study. Ramdeo further highlighted that ACCA has been working with the Guyana Revenue Authority (GRA), the Auditor General’s Office and ICAG to advance the ACCA programme locally.
National Accreditation Council Executive Director Deborah Jack spoke on the importance of service providers of ACCA to be registered with the body. Jack told the gathering that when one successfully attains an ACCA qualification, the Accreditation Council has to calculate qualification equivalencies.
The ACCA which has 208,000 members worldwide, is the body for professional accountants who seek careers in accountancy, finance and management. (Shemuel Fanfair)