2. HN Accounting Arrangements Workshop Session 1

3. Background Review team set up April 2008, comprising representatives from 6 colleges Limited review –structure of HNC and HND awards unchanged –content of mandatory Units remains broadly similar

4. Scope of change Overall requirements –Reduce volume of assessment –Remove/reduce prescriptive assessment conditions –Improve statement of standards – 70% cut off considered inappropriate for competence based qualification –Improve Core Skills signposting and guidance

5. Scope of change (cont) Also consider –Retain existing links with professional body qualifications and exemptions (ACCA, CIMA) –Ensure in line with current disability/discrimination legislation –Map to National Occupational Standards (NOS)

6. Current status All individual Unit specifications re-written, validated and available on SQA web site Revised HNC and HND Group Awards, including Graded Units, validated January 2010 Revised awards available for session 2010/2011

7. Award Frameworks and Credit Transfer Structure of HNC and HND Group Awards unchanged Unit titles and credit values unchanged Full credit transfer is given between the predecessor Unit and the revised Unit Bulk credit transfer arrangements will be available

8. Continued focus on practical application of accounting principles and techniques Delivery schedules could remain unchanged UK GAAP and IAS: Candidates should be made aware of the differences in presentation of financial statements Delivery and assessment

9. Changes to Evidence Requirements 70% cut off scores considered inappropriate for competence based qualification and have been removed Error tolerance has been allowed for most Outcomes, as appropriate Specified maximum numbers of errors of principle and/or arithmetic/computational errors

10. Assessment conditions For some Outcomes, assessment conditions changed from closed book to open book or open book with access to a layout/formulae only Most remain under supervised conditions Recommended assessment time remains as a guideline only

11. Assessment Exemplars One new exemplar for each mandatory Unit and for Payroll and Income Tax Two new exemplars for each Graded Unit - 1, 2 and 3 Exemplars will be available on SQA secure web site Centres may need to devise re-assessment instruments and prior verification is recommended

12. Assessment Exemplars (cont) Current exemplars must remain secure as existing Group Awards may continue to be offered by centres

13. Graded Units Graded Unit 1 – Examination at SCQF level 7 –60% computational; 40% narrative Graded Unit 2 – Project at SCQF level 8 –Case study –New exemplar to be less time consuming for candidates and markers Graded Unit 3 – Examination at SCQF level 8 –80% computational; 20% narrative

14. Core Skills Recommended exit profile is SCQF level 6 for all Core Skills Revised Unit specifications state which Core Skill components are embedded or signposted Mandatory Units provide many Core Skill components, especially Numeracy and Problem Solving Broadening optional Units can be included in course programmes for other Core Skills

15. Articulation to Higher Education HNC Accounting continues to provide entry to year 1 of most degree programmes HND Accounting continues to provide entry to year 2 or year 3 Centres should liaise with local HEIs to confirm

16. Exemptions from professional bodies ACCA - HNC: CAT papers T1 to T7; ACCA papers F1 to F3 - HND: CAT all papers; ACCA papers F1 to F5 CIMA - HNC: papers CO1 to CO5 - HND: papers CO1 to CO5 plus P1 and F1

17. Next steps Revised HN Group Awards available for delivery for session 2010/2011 Current Group awards will go into lapsing period: - HNC will end on 31 July 2013 - HND will end on 31 July 2014