ACCA Launches New Framework For Approved Study Content

Online, September 27, 2010 (Newswire.com) - ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) is launching a new framework for approved study content. The new framework will allow a broad range of publishers to be quality assured and approved by ACCA at two levels, Platinum and Gold. Official Publishers, BPP and Kaplan, remain so for the December 2010 exams. The new framework will be in place to support study for the June 2011 exams.

The change in approach from a two-provider system to a more flexible system will allow ACCA to draw students' attention to a wider range of alternative and additional content that is most appropriate to their studies.

"The changes will allow us to maintain the provision of ACCA quality assured study content, while at the same time improve the breadth and depth of help on offer for our students," says Alan Hatfield, ACCA's Director of Learning. "Importantly, the changes will allow us to enhance the availability of approved content in the incredibly varied markets in which we operate across the globe."

BPP will be the sole Platinum-approved provider from the June 2011 exams through to the December 2013 exams, while there will be scope for an unlimited number of Gold-approved providers. Get Through Guides and Kaplan are among the content providers already confirmed as Gold-approved.

All approved study content providers have to meet challenging quality assurance measures and performance indicators set by ACCA, but the highest level of assurance - platinum - will be subject to the most extensive approval. Gold approval is renewable on an annual basis and is given to content providers who deliver support for some or all of ACCA's qualifications.

Content providers interested in applying for Gold approval should email [email protected] for further details and an application pack.

ACCA is also introducing a Content Provider Directory, which lists content providers that may support study towards ACCA qualifications. The Directory will give details of all Approved Learning Partners -content and will include 'subscribers' who are not quality assured by ACCA. The subscribers will be clearly marked as such. The inclusion of both subscribers and ACCA's Approved Learning Partners - content in the Directory will allow students to make a fully informed decision about their choice of study materials and mirrors the existing approach to signposting tuition opportunities.

The Directory is now live and is accessible via ACCA's website - www.accaglobal.com.