A new ongoing training programme developed for Scotlandís Chartered Accountants has also been adopted by some of the countryís largest businesses in a move which national accounting body ICAS says highlights the importance of continuous professional development.
From the start of this year ICAS ñ the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland ñ has required all its members to adopt a new continuous professional development (CPD) programme, which aims to measure, identify and develop the value of individuals to a business.
With many CAs working in senior roles for large companies, the new programme has also been adopted by firms such as Standard Life and ScottishPower, spreading the message of ongoing skill development beyond the profession to the wider business community. And with the DTI now encouraging some companies to externally report on their people policies, it looks set to play an important part of the strategy of many more firms.
The new programme, developed by ICAS following a series of consultations with members, gives CAs the responsibility of determining which are the most appropriate forms of CPD for their own activities, with ICAS assessing the outcomes. The result will be programmes that focus on individual professional responsibilities, with ICAS providing support and guidance in developing the programme.
The new programme provides CAs and accredited employers with a practical tool to help them demonstrate best practice among their finance professionals. As Keith Cochrane, ScottishPowerís Director of Group Finance explains, ìWe use CPD to develop and grow talent within our organisation ñ it fits well with our own development framework at ScottishPower. Weíve always encouraged our people to take responsibility for their own personal development, and this is a tool which matches their needs with that of the business.î
Itís this flexibility that attracts employers to CPD, according to Keith Cochrane. ìOne size doesnít fit all ñ the beauty of CPD is that it doesnít tick boxes, the way traditional continuing development has. Weíve had finance staff taking secondments at the Princesí Trust and the Columba 1400 charity, as well as the more common techniques like online learning.î
At Standard Life, the benefits of CPD have also been recognised. Group Chief Accountant David Bentley CA said the company was very supportive of CPD. ìIt fits in exactly with the aim that we have for our staff ñ to develop them professionally in a way that matches their needs and those of the business.î
Sandra Turnbull, Convenor of ICASí General Practitioner Committee and a Partner with Fife-based firm MFPT Chartered Accountants, said the requirement to undertake CPD was a key way for CAs to distinguish themselves from the service offered by unqualified accountants. ìIt gives clients and potential customers a reassurance that we are constantly reviewing our skills to deliver the best service in the UK market today, she said.
Douglas Nisbet, convener of ICASí qualification board and Managing Partner of Ernst & Young in Scotland, said standards within all professions were evolving but international accountancy standards were changing particularly rapidly at the moment. ìCAs and others need to demonstrate to clients that they are keeping pace. CPD is a great way of doing that because itís flexible. It offers customers the reassurance that as well as the ëon the jobí experience accountants get, thatís also being reinforced by the requirement to be up to date in other areas. It will help the profession to maintain public confidence.î
Accountants and businesses give new training programme top marks
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