Chair of ICAS TPE Board | Voluntary role
Recruiter: ICAS Learning Governance
Contract type: Initial three-year term
Salary: Voluntary role; travel expenses paid
Start date: 1 February 2021
This is a great opportunity to play an important part in the education of CA Students and the upholding of ICAS' high standards.
The TPE Board is the ultimate authority on all papers at the final, level of the ICAS qualification, Test of Professional Expertise, (including End Point Assessments for Apprentices).
Further details:
- Approximately five business days p.a.
- Academic experience not required
- An interest in and passion for education is a must
- Chairing experience required
- A qualified CA
- Able to bring a fresh perspective on education and qualifications to the Board.
For full details, please see our role specification below. The closing date for applications is 31 December 2020.
Interested in this role?
To apply for this role, please submit a copy of your CV and a covering letter.
Full role specification
Role Purpose
The TPE Board is the ultimate authority on and makes all decisions on marks and results for the exams at Test of Professional Expertise (TPE) level, the third and final level of the CA syllabus. This includes the Multi Discipline Case Study (which is also End Point Assessment 1 or EPA1 for Apprentices), Public Trust and Ethics (PT&E), Test of Relevant Expertise (TRE) and End Point Assessment 2 (EPA2 – for Apprentices only). The Chair will chair all meetings of the TPE Board.
The TPE Exam Board plays no role in the technical content or setting of the exam papers but looks at the oversight of the processes involved in the delivery of these assessments.
Through this independent oversight, the TPE Exam Board plays an intrinsic part in maintaining values and standards and ensuring that the reputation of the CA Qualification is upheld both within the UK and globally.
Dimensions
ICAS has been educating and training Chartered Accountants (CAs) for over 160 years and there are currently over 3,000 CA Students across the UK studying towards the ICAS CA qualification. Our 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 TPE Board is made up of the Chair, the Lay Member, two Academic Members and the four Moderators (for each of the papers (Case Study/EPA1, PT&E, TRE and EPA2). The ICAS Executive Director Learning, Executive Director Customer Experience and Assessment & Quality Lead will generally attend, as may the TPE Panel Chair (the Panel has responsibility for setting the Case Study paper and marking it). On occasion, representatives of the Financial Reporting Council (FRC) may also observe.
TPE Board meetings will primarily focus on the review and ratification of the exam marks presented to it by the moderators for each TPE Level paper. The Board’s role is to determine whether, in light of the standard of the paper, the marks presented to it, and the overall results compared to past diets, any moderation of marks is required. The Board will also deal with any special circumstances brought to its attention in respect of individual students.
The time commitment is approximately five business days per annum. This includes up to three Board meetings of three to six hours per annum (in-person or MS Teams). Two of these meetings are to make decisions on results for each paper at TPE level and one is independent of an exam diet and is to discuss and agree policy. The TPE Board Chair is also invited to attend and observe marking schools and independent marking panels at their discretion and might typically do so on one or two occasions each year.
Ad hoc decisions by the Board may be sought between meetings. All members will be consulted, and quorum (three members) may apply where necessary.
Organisational Diagram
The TPE Exam Board reports annually to the Qualifications Board.
Principal Accountabilities
- Effective chairing of all TPE Board meetings, ensuring that the Board’s responsibilities are fulfilled and that all Board members are able to participate fully
- Ensures that the pass marks for all TPE papers reflect a degree of equity and fairness taking into account all the evidence presented to the Board
- Responsible for applying and upholding the ICAS Education standards, rules and regulations and relevant regulatory frameworks in relation to all matters brought before the Board
- Promotes open and rigorous debate over complex matters
- Ensures that relevant procedures and policies are designed appropriately, are transparent and are followed by the Board and its members in discharging its responsibilities
- Ensures that there is an effective relationship between the ICAS senior team and the Board, with a proper flow of information
- Prepares the annual report from the TPE Board to the Qualifications Board
- Represents the TPE Board as required in discussions with the Financial Reporting Council.
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
- Experience of Chairing meetings effectively is essential
- Credible and authentic communicator, able to influence with senior colleagues and external regulators
- Qualified CA with an interest in professional education
- Ability to listen to, understand and assess arguments and justifications presented by exam moderators, education department representatives, and academic and lay Board members
- Experience of working with ICAS in some capacity is preferred (e.g. as committee, board or panel member, or as a Training Principal or Counselling Member at an ICAS Authorised Training Office)
- Experience of CA or similar exams would be a distinct advantage
- Experience of moderation or adjudication of assessments would be an advantage.
Key Challenges
The Chair of the TPE Board must be able to facilitate the sharing of views and the collective agreement of the Board’s final position as regards pass marks. This can be challenging particularly when extenuating circumstances or information is presented to the Board. The four papers that fall under the Board’s remit are varied in their format and scope and the Chair must enable the Board to consider each of these separately and on its own terms.
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 1 February 2021.
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.
This is a voluntary role but any travel expenses will be covered by ICAS.
Interested in this role?
To apply for this role, please submit a copy of your CV and a covering letter.