adAPTive - APT APC Programme

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adAPTive learning development strategy

Transcript of adAPTive - APT APC Programme

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adAPTivelearningdevelopmentstrategy

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Why choose the APT Programme?Our Professional Programme offers you a top-class opportunity to develop your professional competence and the best possible chance of passing the APC.

Since 2014 when the APC was first introduced by SAICA, 9 814 out of 13 033 candidates have chosen the APT Programme of whom 65% were transformation candidates. 46 honours roll candidates were APT candidates.

We run the largest Programme and our results have always mirrored those of SAICA. Pass rates in the APC have been excellent and are compatible with those of our competitors.

We are also the Programme of choice in Zimbabwe and Namibia.

APT has a comprehensive staff compliment, all of whom are highly experienced and dedicated.

We leverage Information Technology to the maximum to optimise our Candidate experience.

The APT Programme is unique and designed specifically to enable candidates to develop their professional competence in a manner which replicates ‘real life’.

Our Candidates are core to the APT Family and we will do whatever is necessary to provide the service they need. We provide personal consultations, a variety of other support opportunities and are sympathetic to personal circumstances.

One of our great strengths is flexibility and adaptability to meet candidates’ needs. Following COVID lockdown, our ability to quickly and seamlessly modify our Programme, was very highly rated by our candidates.

Designed to suit your learning style and work circumstancesWe accommodate individual learning styles and work demands by offering a fully online Case Study based Programme, supported by Blended Learning.

The online nature of our Programme, together with the interactive Zoom and Face to Face classes, provides the flexibility that is so essential to accommodate individual learning styles and the demands of employers.

We are convinced that interactive and face to face classes provide by far the best opportunity to come to grips with the new ideas and competencies which you will encounter in our Programme and we strongly encourage you to attend classes wherever possible.

These create the opportunity for discussion and debate and also provide the opportunity to learn from personal interaction where individuals meet up with each other and with our facilitators.

Video recordings of all classes are available. Whilst videos cannot provide opportunities for interaction, they are invaluable when you cannot make a class. Candidates have also found our videos to be an excellent back-up to the face to face classes where issues require clarity.

Interactive Zoom and Face to Face Classes

Videos and Recordings of classes:

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It will be clear from these principles that our Programme simulates the world of work (training contract) as far as possible and this means that:

The SAICA qualification process

The APT ProgrammeHow is the APT Programme designed?

Academic Programme

strong focus on technical competence

focus on professional competence

Professional Programme

TrainingProgramme

The technical knowledge and skills for each of the accounting disciplines and an understanding of strategy, risk management and governance.

The ability to use technical competence in the ‘real world of work’.

The Professional Programme is intended to enable candidates to develop their professional competence and in this regard complements the training Programme.

THE APT PROGRAMME PROVIDES THE BEST OPPORTUNITY TO PASS THE APC

Programme Principles1. Simulate ‘real life’. We use case studies, similar to those used

in the APC, throughout the Programme

2. Experience builds professional competence. We provide the opportunity from the outset for candidates to gain experience ‘by doing’. In the early part of the Programme, extensive guidance is provided. Guidance is reduced as candidates gain experience – just as in ‘real life’.

3. Feedback. Candidates are provided with regular feedback – just as it happens in the workplace.

4. Assessment. Assessment is a feature throughout the Programme – as it is in the workplace. Assessment is mainly formative in nature (part of the learning process) and includes formal assessments and self-assessment. We regard self-assessment as vitally important as the ability to assess your own progress and performance is very important in the world of work.

5. Individual support. We know that individuals learn differently and at different rates and that personal circumstances are different for everyone. Support for individuals is provided through consultation opportunities and a wide range of other interventions such as online chatrooms and Skype.

6. Case studies. Each of our case studies simulates ‘real life’. Our focus in the case studies includes the ability to conduct research in the context of the entity which is the subject of the case study. This research encompasses the entity, the industry and the economic, political and social context in which the entity operates. The focus of our Programme is your ability to conduct research rather than to gain knowledge of a specific industry or environment. For this reason, we do not attempt to include all possible industries in our case studies – it would be impossible to do so – rather we focus on the ability to conduct research so that candidates are able to use this ability in any setting (the APC is likely to be in an unexpected industry!)

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Classes 1-5 (Videos 1-5): Detailed guidance through a case study

• Assessment 1: New case study with some guidance

Class 6 (Video 6): Guidance for supplementary assessment

• Supplementary assessment: New case study with guidance

Classes 7-8 (Video 7-8): Guidance through a new case study and preparation for Assessment 2

• Assessment 2: Final assessment • Supplementary assessment: Opportunity for

candidates who were not successful in Assessment 2 to re-write

Class 9 (Video 9)

Classes 10-11 (Videos 10-11): Final preparation for the APC – this is the equivalent of a ‘Board Course’

OutlineAll case studies used in our Programme are of APC Standard.

The APT CPD or Continuing Professional Development Programme is very similar to the SAICA CPD Programme. All technical developments such as new standards and tax updates that were introduced after you wrote the ITC are covered in this online Programme.

These developments are usually incorporated into our case studies and are also discussed in class.

Certain CPD topics are compulsory and you are required to log this CPD.

Continuing Professional Development (CPD)

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Candidates who have written the ITC and will have completed 20 month’s traineeship by 30 November 2021 should register for the 2021 Programme. As there will be no sitting of the ITC in June, we will not be offering a Catchup Programme in 2021.

First Time Candidates who will be writing the ITC in April 2021

For this reason, our Programme places valuable emphasis on communication. We provide video learning material prepared by an expert in communication. This provides new perspective on this vitally important aspect of professional competence.

When we talk of communicating effectively this doesn’t mean the use of ‘fancy language’ or ‘big words’, but rather your ability to communicate clearly and efficiently.

We are big on communicationOne of the most important aspects of professional competence is the ability to communicate effectively.

• Catchup Programmes offered in previous years allowed candidates to focus on the ITC until June and then shift their focus to the APC once the ITC has been written.

• Whilst April ITC candidates receive their results on 18 June, they will have completed their ITC preparation before 15 April and so be able to focus on the APC Programme from April.

• Candidates will have completed Modules 1 and 2 of the Programme by the time the ITC results are released. Should a candidate fail the April ITC, they can still write the ITC again on 1-2 September. The September ITC results will be released on 6 November before the APC is written on 1 December.

Given the above, we offer the following solution:1. All candidates writing the April ITC and who will have 20 Month’s

Traineeship by 30 November 2021 should register for the Programme before the commencement date of 16 April. Candidates who are writing the April ITC will be expected to pay a Non Refundable Registration Fee of R500 to cover out of pocket costs incurred by APT.

2. Candidates who Pass the April ITC will continue with the APC Programme and the balance of the Course Fees will become payable.

3. Candidates who Fail the April ITC will have two options:• They can elect to withdraw from the Programme and would

forfeit their Registration Fee.• They may proceed with the Programme in anticipation of

writing and passing the ITC in September. In this case: » The balance of the Course Fees become payable. » If they Pass both the September ITC and the Programme,

they would be eligible to write the APC on 1 December. » If they Fail the September ITC and the Programme they will

have to repeat the programme in 2022. » If they Fail the ITC, but Pass the

Programme they will only receive a certificate once they have passed the ITC and completed the APT Refresher Programme in 2022. The cost of the Refresher Programme would be 20% of the full course listed fee.

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What do our students think?Final Evaluation Review:

“I would just like to thank you and the APT team for all the support you gave me during the APT programme . Especially the meetings to review my test scripts to determine where I went wrong and what I needed to do to improve.This significantly helped me to improve my exam techique and professional competence.”

“I wrote APC three times (2016, 2017, and 2018), while finally passing the examination in 2018.

Thank you once again for never failing to believe in your students, and supporting me during these three attempts.

Finally I have CA(SA) behind my name after a total of 10 years (enrolled for B.Comm during 2008)”

“The continuous emphasis on self reflection and assessment had the biggest effect on me and my preparation. Writing the task and then looking at the specimen responses is one thing but actually spending time and analyzing the entire process I’ve followed up to performing my tasks and then analysing why I missed certain key aspects or some qualities I might have lacked changed the game for me.”

“The few hours leading up to 16H00 yesterday was rough, extremely stressful. I am however extremely pleased that together with the entire group I was in (6 in total), we all managed to pass the APC exam.

We did work hard but I do not think we would have been in a position to do so effectively and obtain this outcome in the absence of the input, guidance and support from yourselves.”

“The Blended Learning Programme provides flexibility of the face to face contacts and the electronic (video) presentations.

This means that different needs are catered for. One can go through the video more that once and reinforce a particular learning outcome. The Programme focuses on topical matters and assists one to be a well rounded being. E-writing is also brilliant.”

“Due to the fact that most people doing the course are currently in their second year of articles at an audit firm, very strict time constraints are placed on most of us.

The course was set up in such a manner that it gave ample time for each candidate to be able to perform all the tasks that were required of them, but at the same time made it challenging enough to prepare us for the level of difficulty of the APC.”

“This Programme changed the way I view issues as they come in real life. I have been trained to be a critical thinker and not just an academic. It’s a life changing learning Programme and I appreciate the APT team for their effort and time in preparing me for the final APC and real life challenges.”

“I just wanted to send a big THANK YOU for all your patience, help and guidance provided with my development within the course last year”

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The experience has been mindopening,

innovative and insightful.

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The APT Team

Support

Peter BournePresenter

Ben MarxPresenter

Alex van der WattPresenter

Michael WormaldPresenter

Dewald JoubertPresenter

Ahmed Mohammadali HajiPresenter

Milan van WykPresenter

Morepe Ncalo (nee Ntjane)Presenter

Vanessa van DykPresenter

Lyndsay MasekoPresenter

Husain CoovadiaPresenter

Karabo Sihiya (nee Kekana) Presenter

Akona Gazi-BabanaPresenter

Yusuf EbrahimPresenter

Jurie WesselsPresenter

Wendy AbercrombieSupport

Hayley CalvertSupport

Kylie JansenSupport

Rina van RensburgSupport - JHB

Susan Marx Support - JHB

May WatsonSupport

Honours Roll Tips

1. Take a copy of the AFS of a real life company similar to the one in your case study. You never know when the accounting polices or notes may come in handy.

2. Show all your workings for calculations and note your assumptions especially if you’re preparing a report.

3. Immerse yourself in the research of the industry and document your findings. It’s important to familiarise yourself with the risks of the business by reading up on current issues going on in the industry.

4. Prepare for all the anticipated tasks yourself even if you’re participating in group work.

5. Sort your file into topic sections using file dividers/flags. As simple as that sounds, it really helps to save time and prevents you from getting frazzled when you’re trying to find something.

Jashine Dheda - Honours Roll

1. Know your pre-release well - You don’t want to be rereading it on the day of the exam.

2. Work in groups, but go through all the research thoroughly yourself - Do not blindly rely on other people’s summaries.

3. Understand each task and be sure to address every aspect - Formatting your response to clearly show you have addressed all the required issues is the biggest tip I can give. Break your answer down paragraph by paragraph and deal with each issue clearly and comprehensively.

4. Think of the bigger picture and add in a few “insight” points to help achieve your HC.

Justin Shein - Honours Roll

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* Block Bookings: 20% is offered to Major Accounting Firms or Block Bookings (5 or More Candidates from the same firm).

Sounds great!But how much does it cost?

R10 920ex VAT

Discounted Block Bookings*

R13 650ex VAT

Individual

Account Name: Accounting Professional TrainingBank: Standard Bank RondeboschInter Bank Transfer Number: 025 009Current Account Number: 071 464 824SWIFT Code: SBZAZAJJ(Standard Bank does not use an IBAN Code.)

Please Reference your Payment as:Name/Invoice Number e.g. S.Sample/APT00028

If you have not received your invoice, but want to make your payment please reference your payment as follows:Name Surname/Programme Areae.g. Sandra Sample/CT

APT’s Banking DetailsPlease follow our Online Enrol process before making payment.

Important Dates

15APR

31JUL

08SEP

23OCT

Programme Starts

Supplementary Assessment 1

Supplementary Assessment 2

Assessment 2

Assessment 126JUN

APC standard case study but with some guidance

APC standard case study with guidance

Opportunity for candidates who were not successful in Assessment 2 to re-write

Final Assessment

APC standard case study with guidance

01DEC

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APT is the country’s leading presenter of preparation courses for the SAICA APC

Examination written in November of each year, having prepared 75% of candidates in 2019.

APT has operated successfully in this market for 22 years, nationally and in Zimbabwe and Namibia.

APT has a full commitment to transformation in the accounting profession, business and the academic

environment.