acca

The ACCA has exclusively confirmed to PASS that there are set to be a number of changes to examiners in the near future.

The current examiners will have influence on papers up to and including June 2010, but some examiners won't have their current contracts renewed.

PASS understands the P4, P5 and F5 examiners could be changed.

ACCA told PASS: 'It is true that there are some changes to examiners coming up. When we started the new qualification in December 2007, examiners were contracted for a period of three years. First drafts of exam papers are written 15 months in advance of the exams. Thus the preparation of the June 2010 exam was the last paper to be written under this contract.

'The next paper to be drafted is for the December 2010 session, which is the first of a new contract. As such, ACCA has looked at the portfolio of examiners, and our examiners have looked at the work they are doing and some decisions not to renew have been taken by one or both parties.'

Top lecturer Sunil Bhandari has put his hat in the ring to become the next P4 examiner and believes whoever gets the job needs immediate influence - including the next two papers.

He told PASS: 'Bob Ryan (current P4 examiner) is a very clever man. His papers (to date) have been very challenging indeed. The papers have been set at a 'masters Level' degree equivalent.

'The problem has been that the students have found them impossible - the technical difficulty and time pressure faced by candidates has been immense.

'I have attempted all papers in the exact exam time and I found it hard to be satisfied I had done enough to be sure of achieving a pass.

'The new examiner needs 'significant influence' over the next two papers. It important future papers reflect the required change in direction.

'If I was offered the chance now or in the future to be the P4 examiner, I would take it without hesitation.'

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