Academic Panel Member and Chair | ICAS

Recruiter: ICAS

Role title: Academic Panel Member and Chair

Accountable to: Qualifications Board Chair

Date agreed: November 2021

Please contact : Emily Napier

Role Purpose

The Qualifications Board has established an Academic Panel.

The Academic Panel provides advice and assistance to the Qualifications Board in all matters relating to the Scottish Credit & Qualifications Framework (SCQF) including, but not limited to, the credit rating processes and procedures operated by ICAS.  The Academic Panel undertake the mapping of ICAS qualifications against the SCQF and is the ultimate authority on credit rating.

The Academic Panel typically meets twice per year.

Dimensions

ICAS has been educating and training Chartered Accountants (CA) for over 160 years and there are currently over 3,000 CA students across the UK studying towards the CA qualification. The CA qualification is recognised under the UK Companies Act 2006 and ICAS is a Recognised Qualifying Body. In 2014, ICAS was approved as a Credit Rating Body by the Scottish Credit & Qualification Framework (SCQF) Partnership and the CA qualification is recognised at SCQF Level 11 (Masters Level).

The Academic Panel is made up of three or more persons usually from an academic background. On occasion, representatives of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) may also observe Panel meetings.

The Academic Panel meetings are technical meetings.

The time commitment will be approximately four business days per year.

The appointment will be effective from 2 May 2022 and will run for an initial period of three years. There is the opportunity to shadow the current Panel Chair at the next Academic Panel meeting on 25 January 2022.

An Academic Panel Member and Chair will receive a fee of £9,600 pa plus travel expenses in accordance with the ICAS expenses policy. All meetings are currently held either remotely using MS Teams or in person.

Organisational Diagram

The Academic Panel reports annually to the Qualifications Board.

Principal Accountabilities

The Academic Panel shall provide advice and assistance to the Qualifications Board in all matters relating to the Scottish Credit & Qualifications Framework including, but not limited to, the credit rating processes and procedures operated by ICAS.

The terms of reference for the Academic Panel Member and Chair are as follows:

• To chair all discussions at meetings of the Academic Panel ensuring that the Panel fulfils its remit and covers the agenda in any given meeting; and
• To play a role in establishing good working practices for the Panel, liaising with ICAS key staff members to facilitate timely sharing of information and self-assessment in relation to Panel performance.
• To represent the Academic Panel at Governance meetings as required e.g. annual report to Qualifications Board.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

Whilst it is not essential to have a knowledge of the accountancy profession, all applicants should have suitable experience of quality assurance of Higher Education and a good understanding of SCQF credit rating requirements.

Chairing experience is not a prerequisite for the Chair Member role providing applicants have sufficient experience in Higher Education.

Key Challenges

Members should declare interest in any matter being discussed and withdraw during discussion as appropriate. It is the Chair’s role to ensure that Members are given the opportunity to declare such interests on a timely basis.

Key Decisions

Decisions are made by the Board collectively and it is the Chair’s role to facilitate this.  In the event of deadlock, the Chair has a casting vote.

Terms of appointment

This appointment will be for an initial term of three years from 2 May 2022. There is the opportunity to shadow the current Panel Chair at the next Academic Panel meeting on 25 January 2022.

It will be important that the Chair’s other commitments do not cast any doubt on their ability to act independently and impartially in discharging the role; any potential conflict of interest must be declared. The chair is expected to champion impartiality, fairness, and respect for confidentiality.

Interested applicants should submit a CV detailing their relevant experience with a covering letter indicating why they believe they have the relevant skills and experience for the role to Emily Napier at enapier@icas.com by 5 January 2022.