1. Participant Countries and Bodies GermanyIDW, WPK FranceOEC NetherlandsNIVRA ItalyCNDC IrelandICAI ScotlandICAS EnglandICAEW

2. Primary Objectives Unification of qualifications Maintain high quality Meet public expectations Define and agree common content Embrace national content

3. Secondary Objectives Above other benchmarks Meet employer, and their client, needs Provide improved opportunities for member mobility Create environment for cooperation between institutes

4. What is Common Content 1. Service areas and 5 pillars of learning outcomes and knowledge – common and national material 2. Professional competencies including values and ethics 3. Personal skills 4. Quality of practical experience and standards of training approval 5. Integrated competencies 6. Joint oversight panel

5. Common Content Project Common Learning Outcomes (02-05) Syllabus (03-05) Assessment oversight (05-06) Governance (05-06) Consultation and Communication (03 - ) Wider Participation (05-07) Skills and Attitudes (05-06) National Content (04-06)

6. Pillars 5 areas set in services provision Learning Outcomes Associated direct knowledge and Cross Pillar outcomes Underpinning professional knowledge and General Business Knowledge Core language and numeracy skills

7. 5 Pillars Assurance and related services Performance measurement and reporting Strategic and business management Financial management Taxation and legal services

8. Challenges and Principles to Debate 1. Do employers and members agree with the benefits the project proposals claim? 4.Is this a European only project? 3.Is the approach taken to the prescription of IFRS and ISA correct? 2. Do newly qualified professional accountants provide the defined services to the breadth and depth set out?

9. Challenges and Principles to Debate 5.If the bar to qualifying is raised – who pays? 7.How does the project rest with the public interest agenda in particular EU, oversight boards and IFAC positions? 6. Will current, and prospective, participating bodies be prepared to cede sovereignty over their qualifications?

10. Consultation 2005 Jan-Launch and open invitation to comment Feb – Jun-Targeted consultation Mar – Jun-Participating bodies technically reviewing learning outcomes and syllabus Deadline for technical comments – June 30 th

11. Consultation 2005 Aug - Nov-Consideration of technical comment by Task Force Open comments – www.commoncontent.comwww.commoncontent.com Comment directly to the project manager David Cairns or to named national contacts