ACCA offers an exclusive arrangement with the University of London for the MSc in Professional Accountancy

Accountancy students can now place themselves at the forefront in the finance profession by studying for the world’s first integrated master’s programme with the University of London at the same time as taking their professional qualification with ACCA. Taking both qualifications at the same time has been made possible through an innovative partnership between ACCA and the University of London.

Mrs. Nilusha Ranasinghe, County Head ACCA Sri Lanka outlined the key benefits of the qualification and ACCA’s aim in undertaking this initiative.

What brought about this venture?

ACCA has always taken steps in shaping the future of accountancy and in unveiling major innovations, tailored to meet the strategic challenges of the 21st century’s disruptive economy. We believe that that this ground- breaking qualification will give students the forwardthinking strategic abilities and advanced skill- set required of professional accountants who will shape the future of global business The University of London is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the UK, with their past students including many Nobel Prize winners, as well as leaders in business, industry and science and has more than 170,000 students in 180 countries, whilst ACCA has more than 188,000 fully qualified members and 480,000 students worldwidewho are amongst the world’s best- qualified and most highly soughtafter accountants, working in every sector you can imagine. Therefore, an MSc from one of the world’s highest ranking universities and a professional qualification from the world’s most forward-thinking accountancy body is the perfect match that we can offer to our students to make their CV stand out amongst the competition and toemployers. This why organizations know and trust our designation. They know we are out there every day, connecting with businesses large and small, and that we are on top of emerging trends, and helping to shape the businesses of the future. Therefore working together with the University of London and designing this qualification is another step we have taken in that direction.

Who is the qualification aimed at?

This MSc in Professional A c c o u n t a n cy f rom t he University of London is specifically designed for current ACCA students along with ACCA completed Affiliates and Members.

What is unique about this qualification?

This qualification is especially unique because it is tailor-made to enable ACCA students, affiliates and members gain a Masters qualification in the shortest possible time in a very cost-effective manner. ACCA is the only professional accountancy body that has given their students and members an opportunity of this nature and therefore it is currently the only integrated master’s programme with an accountancy body at a professional level that one can study from anywhere in the world. It also has the combination of ACCA’s unparalleled global network of students and members, alongside the University of London’s unrivalled network of accredited teaching institutions that in itself presents a powerful partnership.

How can the qualification be obtained?

It has been customized with two pathways for both ACCA students and its Members/ Affiliates. For current students, the first three essential ACCA professional papers will be credited by the University of London for its Masters degree and at this point they become eligible to register for the degree with the University. In order to successfully pass the Masters degree, students will be required to complete three modules – S t r a t e g i c Pe r f o r m a n c e Management and Strategic Financial Management, which offer synergy between the University of London and the ACCA examination papers, and also a Strategic Financial Project. ACCA Members and Affiliates, who have already completed the ACCA professional qualification, will also be eligible to register for the Masters programme. They will be required to complete two modules, namely Global Issues for the Finance Professional and a Strategic Financial Project, to complete the award.

Explain why you believe this qualification is ideal for accountants in the 21st century?

With accountants being increasingly called upon to demonstrate strategic thinking and to play senior executive roles in business, this qualification has the right combination of skills to meet the future’s changing needs and provides much opportunity for career advancement.. We see it as a game changer for the profession as it has been developed in consultation with over 50 major employers across the world. Participants can develop the commercial and strategic skills needed for today’s fastpaced, volatile and interconnected business world. It develops the technical skills, industry knowledge, business acumen and analytical capabilities needed to add value to business and provides the high- level knowledge and skills development for finance leadership within a global context.Those who obtain the qualification will therefore gain both an academic and professional perspectivethat will give candidates a leading edge.

Does ACCA have any formal agreements with any other masters’ programmes?

ACCA has always believed in partnering only with the best in the market, so that we in turn could offer our students the opportunity to gain qualifications that are the best in the industry. Therefore, we have a formal agreement only with the University of London at present.

Who is currently running this MSc. Programme?

As per the guidelines and quality assurance procedures of the University of London with regard to ACCA tuition partners offering this programme, only ACCA Platinum status providers have been authorizeddo so. Accordingly, in Sri Lanka, ACCA’s only Platinum tuition provider, Mercury Institute,who has held Platinum status for the last 6 years and continues to do, has already commenced classes for this programme and the programme has been an immense success thus far. The next intake for the MSc. in Professional Accountancy will commence in early July, the deadline for registrations being 19th June and Mercury is offering a special 50% discount for ACCA Affiliates and Members. Apart from Mercury Institute, Royal Institute of Colombo also conduct classes for this programme.