Prominent CA in online addiction shocker!
Author:
Michael McDonnell
In a dramatic twist to recent developments in CPD (Continuing Professional Development), a prominent Chartered Accountant reveals a shocking fascination with the ICAI (Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland) e-learning platform, eCPD.
Accountancy Ireland (AI) Journo:
I know this isn't going to be easy, but please provide a little bit of background for our readers.
Anonymous Chartered Accountant (ACA): Well, this has been a very difficult year for me personally. Whilst I've been a member of the Institute for many years, in truth as I've pursued a career in business, Institute membership has appeared less and less relevant. Sure there's been the odd CPD workshop to help manage my own rather complex tax affairs, and some of those District Society events can provide a good opportunity to network ... but in truth, I was beginning to wonder whether the ICAI really understood my individual needs.
AI Journo: So, what's been particularly difficult about this year?
ACA: Well, I guess you could say that my relationship with the Institute had achieved a certain balance - I wasn't really that bothered about what the Institute was doing, and in turn they didn't really seem to want to bother me. All pretty much unspoken mind you, but a relationship of mutual disinterest none-the-less. Hey, in truth how much could they really understand about my career. And then from 1st January 2006 all hell lets loose!
One day I'm blissfully detached from my Institute and the next day, some faceless ‘suit’ from Dublin 4 says that business members have to start doing 20 hours of 'structured' or formal CPD a year!
AI Journo: What was your reaction?
ACA: I guess I experienced the whole range of emotions. To be honest, it actually took a while before I really understood what they were saying. It was hard to break the habit of simply putting mailshots and flyers in the bin, but eventually it dawned that they were trying to communicate with me. And then I guess what I felt was anger. Just who did these guys think they were, telling me to spend my precious time on CPD. Don't they realise that I gave up using my finance expertise years ago!
AI Journo: So what has changed in the last few weeks?
ACA: Well that's been the weirdest part about this whole CPD change thing. Once I calmed down long enough that I could actually think straight, a couple of things made a lot more sense. Firstly, I realised that even someone with as unique a business career as I have, actually needs to develop professionally. And secondly, I recognised that the Institute was making an effort to help. The CPD programme for 2006 - once I really took the time to consider - had a few more workshops of interest ...I've already attended some good stuff on pensions, I'm looking forward to a new course on 'creativity at work', and the 'hands on' IT session on Prince should help me to manage some of my own business projects. So from all of the initial angst, my relationship with the Institute has actually improved ... But it's also from this point that the online addiction starts to kick in.
AI Journo: Do you mean eCPD?
ACA: Yes, electronic CPD or eCPD as the Institute prefers to call it, has been available for a few months now, initially on a relatively small scale. But the level of online material has now grown substantially. The 'technical/ functional' skills area now covers audit & assurance, financial reporting & management, taxation, ethics and professional values. In turn, following an exciting new partnership between ICAI and Harvard Business School Publishing, a portfolio of online 'broad business' skill courses is now available covering business essentials, communication, strategy, working with teams, etc.
AI Journo: And you find the online material of benefit to you?
ACA: Absolutely! I never thought I'd say this, but online or electronic learning really seems to work for me. You know when I'm away on business I would never get the time to attend a CPD workshop, and reading a business-related article before bedtime leaves me cold. Whereas electronic learning is 'just in time' development - it's at my convenience, at my pace, and allows me to focus on the bits of most relevance to me…..and I can now more easily meet the new CPD requirements.
AI Journo: So what now for your career?
ACA: Well, I genuinely believe that anything is possible. Taking responsibility for my development, and with a bit of help from the Institute then I'd really like to think that my personal and business profile would benefit … who knows, I might even get invited to speak at the Institute Conference. And if that came to pass, then I'd be prepared to pay lots more for my annual subscription.*
Please note that the names in the above interview have been removed to protect anonymity .and that the last line of the feature (*) has been fabricated!