Approved Partner
Programme
Accounting Technicians Ireland
Approved Partner Programme
Accounting Technicians Ireland’s new Approved Partner Programme
will recognise and assure quality in the delivery of Accounting
Technicians programmes. It aims to approve academic providers who
successfully support students through Accounting Technicians Ireland’s
qualifications.
Approved Partners will enjoy a range of additional benefits such as lecturer online supports, free
Sage software and formal recognition as a Sage Training centre.
Once you become an Approved Partner approval will be renewed on an annual basis. You will be
required to carry out an annual review and evaluation of your compliance with the conditions of
recognition and submit an overall statement of compliance to Accounting Technicians Ireland.
Accounting Technicians Ireland will conduct quality assurance visits annually and will work closely
with any colleges requiring support in meeting the conditions.
Approval at a glance
Non active Partner Approval
If an academic provider is non active (no registrations/certifications on any of its Accounting
Technicians Ireland qualification provision) for a period of two years or more, then approval will
automatically lapse and the academic provider will need to re- apply for Partner approval.
Partner Approval granted
When you are formally notified that Partner approval has been granted, Accounting Technicians
Ireland
will:-ü
Recognise you as an approved Accounting Technicians Ireland Partner
ü
Issue an annual certificate of Partner Approval for display at your college
ü
Issue an annual Sage Training certificate for display at your college
ü
Issue KnowledgePoint access logins to your tuition team
ü
Allocate a college number, which you can use in all communications with Accounting
Technicians Ireland
ü
Allow registration of students for the qualification(s) approved
At the beginning of the academic year as an Approved Partner you
will:-ü
Submit registration listings to Accounting Technicians Ireland
ü
Notify Accounting Technicians Ireland of any change to the approved tuition team and
student intake
Non compliance
If you fail to continue to meet the criteria for approval, monitoring will increase and continuing
non-compliance may lead to the withdrawal of Approved Partner certification. Accounting Technicians
Ireland may also withdraw approval by written notice at any
time:-
If the academic provider has not complied with the conditions of recognition, or with any
of Accounting Technicians Ireland’s policies, regulations, requirements and procedures.
With immediate effect, if Accounting Technicians Ireland has been notified of any
equivalent sanctions placed on a provider by another Awarding Organisation.
Accounting Technicians Ireland may however decide not to withdraw approval immediately but to
discuss the problem with the provider and give a grace period within which to put it right.
Benefits of Approval
As an approved Accounting Technicians Ireland Partner you will enjoy the following benefits:
1. Tuition team support
Your tuition team will have annual unlimited access to KnowledgePoint, Accounting
Technicians Ireland’s Blended Learning programme (RRP
c
1,200 /£1,023) which offers
supplementary learning supports in key course areas. It brings together the best of
both face-to-face and online learning. There are currently a total of 69 online tutorials
available with video, audio and slides all synchronised in real-time. Lecturers can
download expertly produced notes which accompany each topic. In addition workshops
which take place in March and April are recorded each year so that students and the
tuition team can access them after each live session.
2. Sage Campus Licence
Accounting Technicians Ireland trains its students on Sage Accounts software as part
of the Integrated Accounting Systems module within the Diploma programme. The key
objective of the module is to provide students with practical experience of effectively using
standard software packages used in the business world, particularly those commonly
used by accountants.
Accounting Technicians Ireland’s new Campus Licence Agreement with Sage will provide
you and your students full access to Sage software (RRP
c
1,800 /£1,534) for educational
purposes.
The annual campus licence provides:
the latest version of the relevant Sage Accounts and Payroll software.
an official Sage Certificate describing the Educational Partnership status. This award
details the agreement between Sage Ireland, Accounting Technicians Ireland and the
Approved Partner.
use of the Sage Training Brand & Logo – Each Approved Partner will have full access to
the new Sage Training Logo.
full student access to each suite of software for home practice.
compliance with Sage Software Licensing Agreements. This agreement ensures that all
Approved Partners falling under the agreement are annually fully compliant and up to
date regarding the licensing of Sage software.
a dedicated Sage Account Manager and support for each Approved Partner.
3. Marketing Tools
You will receive an annual certificate of approval from Accounting Technicians Ireland
and you will have use of our Approved Partner logo for your marketing materials.
You will receive an annual Accounting Technicians Ireland – Sage Training Certificate
which will certify you are as Sage Training centre under the terms and conditions of
Accounting Technicians Ireland’s Annual Sage Campus licence. This will give you
permission to use the Sage Training logo on promotional materials.
4. Promotion by Accounting Technicians Ireland
You will have up to 100 words of promotional text and your logo on Accounting Technicians
Ireland’s website and your logo will be included in Accounting Technicians Ireland’s
annual diary.
Becoming an Approved Accounting Technicians Ireland Partner
In order to be eligible for approval you must be delivering the Certificate for Accounting
Technicians (year 1) or the Diploma for Accounting Technicians Ireland qualification (year 1 &
year 2) in a part-time or full-time capacity.
An annual license administration fee in the amount of
c
650/£554 has been introduced starting
from this year. The fee will cover the issuing of certification and the administration costs of
the Approved Partner Programme. The fee will be invoiced to colleges with a due date of 31
December 2013.
When applying for recognition, you are assessed against Accounting Technicians Ireland’s
conditions of recognition, detailed below. You are responsible for establishing and maintaining
quality assurance procedures which promote internal monitoring, evaluation and continual
improvement of Accounting Technicians Ireland’s programmes.
In reviewing a programme, Accounting Technicians Ireland will take into account:
the duration of the course
the timing of the course in relation to the exams
the standard of tuition
the suitability of the tuition team
the quality assurance processes undertaken
Condition
Assessment Element Outcomes
1 Annual statement of Compliance
Confirmation of full compliance with the conditions at the date of the statement;
Confirmation that there is no cause to believe that it will be likely to fail to comply with any of the Conditions of Recognition during the period of 12 months immediately following the date of the statement;
Description of each instance of non-compliance and the date by which it will be rectified.
2 Terms and Conditions
All students are issued with the institution’s terms and conditions of enrolment, including refund and deferment policies.
3 Equality There is an equality policy in place to address all forms of discrimination, to promote equality of opportunity and accommodate diversity.
All students are issued with the institution’s student charter promoting equality of opportunity, treatment, consultation and access to facilities, the avoidance of unfair practice, and respect for and courtesy towards others, in accordance with the Equal Status Act, (2000) Northern Ireland/Equal Status Act (2000 – 2011) Republic of Ireland.
4 Lecturer absence A contingency plan is in place for staff cover in the event of lecturer absence/unavailability so that appropriate measures are taken to minimise disruption to students.
Condition
Assessment Element Outcomes
5 Cessation of course Course cancellations occur only in circumstances beyond the academic provider’s control, and students are advised upon
enrolment of any factors that may prevent the course from running. A Policy Statement is in place which outlines procedures following cessation of the programme.
6 Protection of the
student It is the policy of Accounting Technicians Ireland to endeavour toprovide an alternative learning opportunity to students in the event of any programme being terminated early.
Accounting Technicians Ireland should be informed in advance of any proposed cancellation of a course so that students can be offered a course place in a nearby Approved Partner college.
7 Financial Viability Academic provider is financially viable.
8 Continual
improvement – course delivery
The institution demonstrates a commitment to innovation and continuous improvement in course delivery, including the use of technology.
9 Progress monitoring Student progress is reviewed throughout the course and, where applicable, counselling is offered to students who fail.
10 Continual
improvement – student support
Study support methods have been designed to meet the needs of the students; use of student portal for notes and assignments for example.
The institution demonstrates a commitment to innovation and continuous improvement in student support.
11 Programme
administration staff A dedicated programme manager/co-ordinator is charged withadministering, monitoring and promoting the course. The performance of programme administration staff is monitored and, where appropriate, plans are in place to develop knowledge and customer service skills.
12 Attendance/ participation and retention
An Attendance Policy is in place and action is taken where students persistently fail to attend class.
Action is taken where students persistently fail to complete assignments.
Student retention figures are documented and reviewed and the reason for student losses are investigated.
13 Complaints procedure A formal transparent complaints procedure or charter is in place and made available to students.
Complaints received are investigated thoroughly and promptly by the programme manager/co-ordinator and acted on accordingly.
Condition
Assessment Element Outcomes
14 Premises and facilities There are permanent premises for administration and tuition. Premises are fit for purpose and and well-maintained. Lecture rooms are of an appropriate size for the number of students in a class.
A library or private study area is available to students within class hours.
Premises and facilities are appropriate for the types of courses offered and their mode of delivery.
Students and lecturers have access to modern IT equipment, including web access.
Appropriate measures are in place to minimise disruption to students in the event of system failure.
15 Lecturers Lecturers have access to course reference materials e.g. Syllabi, course textbooks, past papers, Knowledgepoint and reports. Lecturers are knowledgeable and experienced in their chosen field and hold qualifications appropriate to the subjects they teach. In the case of Further Education and Training providers, lecturers should be members of the Teaching Council of Ireland in accordance with Section 30 of the Education (Amendment) Act 2012 and abide by the Teaching Council of Ireland’s Code of Professional Conduct for Teachers (2nd Edition) 2011.
16 Student feedback Regular student feedback is actively sought, reviewed and acted upon where appropriate.
Formal student feedback is sought within 6 weeks of the beginning of term in order to resolve any initial concerns.
Accounting Technicians Ireland is kept informed of any tuition issues that may arise and of any resulting resolutions put in place. Student feedback questionnaires are 360 degree in nature
and include questions on administration, facilities, lecturer performance, course content and delivery.
17 Teaching/Study
programme A structured teaching programme of 40 hours minimum per subjectis delivered over approximately 26 weeks and is communicated to students at the beginning of the academic year. This includes time allocated to assessments and mock examinations.
A structured study skills programme is delivered at the beginning of the academic year. Accounting Technicians Ireland’s online study skills programme is available for use if required.
A structured class scheme is in place for each subject, kept up-to-date and communicated to students regularly.
Regular homework assignments are set, reviewed and returned, with constructive comments on content and style, within a specified turnaround.
Mock examinations and timed practice tests are set, reviewed and returned, with constructive criticism on content and style, within a specified turnaround time.
Students are actively encouraged to complete/attend mock exams and timed practice tests.
Condition
Assessment Element Outcomes
18 Support materials Students are provided with a course prospectus containing up-to-date essential information on the course and Accounting Technicians Ireland.
Students are provided with guidance on their programme of study, including a detailed breakdown of their course into modules or study sessions and advice on any assignments, mock examinations and practice tests.
The format of programmes of study is consistent across subjects. Students are advised on the use of Accounting Technicians Ireland’s website to access programme resources and the student portal Touchpoint, to access important information and services.
19 Student support and
advice Students are offered appropriate pre-enrolment advice on entryrequirements to the Accounting Technicians Ireland qualifications and advised of available study routes suited to their needs. Students are offered advice on Accounting Technicians Ireland’s progression rules, exam entry rules and exemptions.
Staff are fully aware of the work based learning requirements of the Diploma qualification and are able to provide students with support and guidance in achieving them.
Students are offered advice on the most appropriate study material for their course.
Tutorial support on technical course content is available to students.
Students are provided with lecturer contact details.
Students receive responses to any queries within a reasonable, specified and published time frame.
Students are able to access an Accounting Technicians Ireland programme manager/coordinator at specified times.
20 Administration staff Customer-facing administrative staff are appropriately trained to respond to queries about Accounting Technicians Ireland’s qualifications and college procedures.
21 Course review
meetings Course review meetings are held regularly to review:• course structure and delivery • student performance, retention and feedback.
22 Promotional material Online and hardcopy promotional material contains accurate information regarding Accounting Technicians Ireland.
Promotional material contains accurate information regarding the academic provider and makes no unsubstantiated or potentially misleading claims.
23 Induction An induction session is offered to new students prior to the commencement of a course.
Condition
Assessment Element Outcomes
24 Access policy Accounting Technicians Ireland are members of AHEAD, the Association for Higher Education Access and Disability. AHEAD promotes full access to and participation in further and higher education for students with disabilities and strives to enhance their employment prospects on graduation.
Approved Partners are required to publish an Access Policy which promotes access to and participation in education for students with disabilities.
In accordance with best practice the following supports should be in place:
ü a one-to-one advisory service to students with a disability
ü needs assessment evaluation
ü learning and technological supports
ü support for funding applications from the European Social Fund for students with Disabilities
ü Reasonable examination accommodation/adjustment arrangements with Accounting Technicians Ireland
Ongoing Review and evaluation process diagram
The programme Manager/Co-ordinator reviews and considers the level of risk for each condition
Risk Table completed
Plan the review and evaluation activity
Plan completed and agreed Carry out review and evaluation activities
to confirm level of compliance
Compliance level accepted by Head of Department
The Programme Manager/Co-ordinator to prepare the annual statement of compliance on
