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RELEASE OF THE RESULTS OF THE PUBLIC PRACTICE EXAMINATION OF IRBA |
| Source: | IRBA | | Country: | South Africa | | Date: | 04/03/2010 | | Contributor: | Dieter Gloeck | | Web: | http://www.irba.co.za |
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Overall results
The Public Practice Examination (PPE) of the Independent Regulatory Board for Auditors (IRBA) was written on 18 November 2009. Entry to the PPE is a culmination of a long and rigorous academic, training and assessment process aimed at developing the core and professional competence of prospective accountants and auditors. Success in the PPE allows candidates the opportunity to register as a Registered Auditor (RA) and a Chartered Accountant (CA).
The IRBA say that they are proud to announce that of the 2798 candidates who wrote the 2009 PPE, 2320 passed resulting in a record pass rate of 83%. Of the 1849 candidates who wrote for the first time, 1596 passed, representing a first time pass rate of 86%.
Transformation of the profession
Transformation of the auditing profession remains a priority for the IRBA. Of the 1094 Black (African, Coloured and Indian) candidates who wrote the 2009 PPE, 849 passed, representing a pass rate of 78%. This, they say, is the highest number of Black candidates to pass in the history of the examination. In an endeavour to increase the number of Black auditors, the IRBA facilitates a programme for Black repeat candidates who have been unsuccessful in previous attempts to pass the PPE. The 2009 Support Programme was offered from June until November 2009. Of the 131 candidates who attended the programme and wrote the PPE, 104 passed, resulting in a pass rate of 79%. Black, repeat candidates who did not attend the Support Programme achieved a pass rate of 75%, thus indicating that the Support Programme offers repeat candidates an improved chance of passing the PPE.
The examination objective
The objective of the examination is to assess the professional competence of candidates at entry point to the auditing profession. In recent years, the IRBA has paid close attention to the assessment tool, in order to ensure that it is appropriate for this purpose and that it reflects the multi-disciplinary public practice environment.
The statutory auditor performs a very responsible function and the IRBA has a duty to ensure that only those who have demonstrated an appropriate degree of professional competence are registered as auditors. The examination, which aims to assess professional competence, takes the form of two, 2½ hour written assessments consisting of two scenarios reflecting the public practice environment. Candidates must demonstrate an ability to solve multi-disciplinary practical problems in an integrated manner and to do so must analyse and interpret information and provide viable solutions to address specific client needs. The ability to demonstrate logical thought and exercise professional judgement is an integral part of the examination.
Admission requirements
Admission requirements to the PPE are onerous, requiring completion of a recognised academic and education programme. In addition, entrants must also have passed Part I of the Qualifying Examination of SAICA. Completion of the academic requirement under a full-time study programme ordinarily takes at least four years. Given the practical focus of the assessment, candidates are required to have served at least 18 months of a registered training contract in the service of a Registered Auditor before being admitted to write the PPE. The minimum total duration of a training contract is three years, which usually follows the four-year period of full-time study. The period of qualification for most students is therefore at least seven years. The IRBA believes that this is in keeping with its duty to ensure that standards at entry point are maintained and that only those who are able to meet prescribed competency standards are registered as auditors. The qualification period is similar to that of other highly regarded professions and internationally recognised accounting bodies.
Conclusion
The IRBA is confident that candidates who successfully demonstrated their professional competence in the 2009 PPE will contribute positively to the profession and the economy of South Africa. The IRBA also wishes to acknowledge the significant contribution made by the various educational institutions, training offices and professional bodies towards the success of the candidates. |
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