1. 2017 HN Accounting Network
Kim Tree

2. General Update
Session saw the introduction of the revised SCQF level 8 (2nd year) units in the HN Accounting framework re FRS102
The first year units seem to be established
A further change from 1 August Cash Discount rules have changed and we will introduce Prompt Payment Discount rules in RFI
SQA’s Centre News provides updates
Update letters may be sent out to all SQA Co-ordinators – usually annual update in August/September and on specific projects
HN Accounting web page will have information on updates

3. The EV Team – our purpose
The EV team has our full complement of 7 members
All team members are currently working in a college
Our role -
to ensure consistent quality of assessment decisions of units, across centres and across centre campuses, which fall into Verification Group 266 (Accounting and Finance).
to offer support and guidance to those working in the sector

4. The EV Team - Quality
The EV Team has been involved to varying degrees in the update to the frameworks
We have had some great help from colleagues in the sector
Our quality remit covers the following:
External Verification visits
Central Verification of Graded Units
Prior Verification of assessment instruments
Understanding Standards

5. The EV Team - Support
The EV Team have been involved to varying degrees in supporting centres over the years
Our support remit covers the following:
External Verification visit reports
Central Verification of Graded Unit reports
Prior Verification of assessment instruments
Understanding Standards
Development visits
Responding to Unit Comments
Network Support Events
Internal Assessment Reports

6. The EV wider role
EV Team work in the sector and know the issues as they arise
If we identify issues during our visits we share them amongst the team to see if these are recurring issues
If units need to be updated to be in line with professional or legislation changes we are involved
If we think there are issues within a centre then we discuss them with SQA‘s Quality Assurance and Verification (QAV) team

7. The EV visit
The QAV Team at SQA identify centres to be visited on an annual basis
Allocate visits based on ethical practice:
Move EVs round to avoid familiarity risk
As a team we decide on the units to review to provide a view across the sector
Ensure there is no conflict of interest with a centre
Try to enable EVs to cover all of the work with a centre when we allocate that work
SEV and QAV team work on the specific allocations together.

8. The EV visit journey
EVs agree to the visits and agree to make contact with centres within an agreed timeline
EVs contact allocated centres and the SEV is copied in on correspondence to ensure that we meet our Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
EVs agree with centre on date and sites to be visited and then prepare the visit plans
Initial contact through the SQA Co-ordinator but we are often redirected
EVs have to correspond through the SQA Co-ordinator

9. The EV visit EVs select the unit(s) to be reviewed
EVs send the visit plan within the SLA
EVs ask to meet staff and students
EVs are not looking for issues
EVs are ensuring standards are maintained so have to review assessment decisions
EVs need to hear the opinions of the students.
EVs report back to SQA QAV and give our recommendations.
No report should ever be a surprise

10. The impact of our work on centres
EV Team agree the units to be verified to allow us as a team to review units across all centres
EV Team meet at least twice a year
Any issues are raised at the point they appear
EVs report back to SQA within 5 days
Senior EV reviews all reports and if there are questions these are addressed with the EV
SQA QAV have final sign off
Any action points are reviewed
QAV monitor centres for meeting deadlines

11. QAV Role The QAV Team monitor the EV allocations
EV Team have an allocated QAV staff member – this is our main point of contact if we find an issue during a visit
EVs report back to SQA QAV within 5 days
Senior EV reviews all reports and if there are questions these are addressed with the EV
SQA QAV has final sign off
EVs report on any problems which feeds into SQA intelligence to select centres for visits

12. SEV Role SEV is the main contact with QAV in terms of allocating work
SEV monitors the EV team members in terms of meeting SLAs
SEV is on call during all visits should the need arise
SEV reviews all reports and if there are questions these are addressed with the EV
SEV‘s appointment is confirmed on an annual basis
SEV prepares an annual Internal Assessment Report noting good practice and issues.

13. Qualifications Development Role
The team work with QM and QO in maintaining the currency of the qualifications
The EV team members are often involved in Qualifications Development
QM is kept in the loop about any issues with qualifications and centres
Any comment forms are discussed with QO, QM and EV team

14. Support The EV Team are there for support
The QO and QM are there for you to contact on an ongoing basis
The EVs suggest topics for Network Support Events
EVs are often called upon for advice
We discuss issues raised in case it identifies an area which needs to be dealt with
QO monitors comment forms and this informs any development issues

15. HN Accounting Network
Any questions?