HN Accounting Arrangements

Workshop Session 1

HN Accounting Arrangements

Workshop Session 1

BackgroundBackground

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

Scope of changeScope 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

Scope of change (cont)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)

Current statusCurrent 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

Award Frameworks and Credit TransferAward 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

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 assessmentDelivery and assessment

Changes to Evidence RequirementsChanges 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’

Assessment conditionsAssessment 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

Assessment ExemplarsAssessment 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

Assessment Exemplars (cont)Assessment Exemplars (cont)

Current exemplars must remain secure as existing Group Awards may continue to be offered by centres

Graded UnitsGraded 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

Core SkillsCore 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

Articulation to Higher EducationArticulation 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

Exemptions from professional bodiesExemptions 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

Next stepsNext 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