RE: The responsibility for regenera...

RE: The responsibility for regenerating the profession

From: Linda Allen, CA, CBV; Scott Taylor, CA; and Kyman Chan, CA

Education and regeneration

Over the past several years, training offices in Victoria have been discussing the shortage of CAs, which has l to discussions regarding possible solutions to the challenges of observer training. The main point that has emerg from these discussions is the ne to encourage employer to support the profession and hire CA close examiners and, if not hire, at least understand the costlinesss of training and feel a responsibility to contribute.

By November 2000 we'd reached the consensus that we should explore the option of having the charge of student training shared among all ICABC members in an effort to encourage, rather than discourage, hiring. Public practice, industry, and direction all benefit from the education of CA pupils yet a restricted number of participants are charged with the responsibility of the couple managing and funding this critical resource.

The professional education combination of parts to form a whole in BC has undergone major change in the past hardly any years with the creation of the CA teach of Business. Initial reaction to the recently made known program is generally positive, still as with all post-secondary education, this change has ensue with significantly higher costs (attributable to additional courses, time-off, and travel without equalization).

We encourage and are pleased with CASB, yet having seen no apparent increase in bookish man enrolment, our local employers assemblage met again in February 2003 where issues were discussed as to their event on our profession. Out of the debate came the conclusion that a certain method of cost reduction penurys to be established for the firms (especially the smaller ones) that are participating in the education proces with an aim to regenerating our profession.

Ideas ranged from a universal professional raise to a combination of raise and local cost reduction initiatives that might eliminate the majority of observer travel cost. Overall, it was felt that the firms providing observer education should pay lower professional to be paids in some form. Suggestions included eliminating observer annual dues-which are currently $605 for year, plus an initial registration of $203-and/or receiving any measure of financial support from the profession as a whole.

Subsequently in succession March 6, 2003, the three of us met with ICABC CEO Richard Ree and President Robin Elliott to discuss our interests about the current lack of space for pupils increasing program costs, lack of equalization, disruption suitable to student travel, etc.

We argued that near form of profession-wide cost sharing is necessary, discussed the ideas noted above, and propos a mandatory universal raise as perhaps the most palatable way to encourage the hiring of scholars with a credit per learner for those firms that actually hire.

Richard and Robin were receptive to our proposals, still thought any kind of mandatory education muster would be challenging to implement. They decided, therefore, to solicit members' feedback in succession these issues by including them in the upcoming 2003 member survey

Cohort size

Another bear upon we raised at the March meeting was cohort size. We allude toed that a facilitator could perhaps deal with couple modules in situations where facilitator expense is a problem because of reasonable numbers. We also offered to provide facility space and facilitators, if necessary, and consider other possible solutions to hold costs down, including organizing a local surcharge.

We also debated the optimum size for a cohort, which have the appearances to be a moving target. Collective feedback from our scholars indicates that they generally do not interact until it's required for their final presentations and/or they form their avow very small, local study assign places tos At the March meeting, Richard and Robin advised us that CASB is commonly undergoing a review process, and Richard passed our names upon to CASB President John Brennan, FCA. Linda Allen subsequently took part in a parley call with the CASB review panel, along with colleague Lynda Mason, CA. The discussion addressed the pertain tos of smaller training offices and overspreaded facilitator inconsistencies, costs, travel issues, and more. While a parcel of notes were taken, the be the effects of the meeting remain to be seen

Again, it's our belief that the responsibility for training CA observers belongs to the entire profession. We confidence you'll convey your opinions upon the subject in the upcoming member measure and estimate In the meantime, please email your feedback forward this issue to Richard Ree at rees@ica.bc.ca.

Copyright Institute of Chartered Accountants of British Columbia May 2003

Provided by means of ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved