Become a freelance reviewer
This year, like every year, prospective Authorised Training Offices (ATOs) apply to train CAs with ICAS.
We need professional accountants like you to help us – and them – as part of the team reviewing applications.
You’ll benefit from:
- Full training and support.
- Some extra income – we’ll pay you £150 for each review conducted.
- The satisfaction of contributing to the future of your profession.
Why we need you
As a Chartered Accountant, your expertise is crucial to help review ATOs. It can also be invaluable to the next generation of CAs.
We’re now recruiting UK-based reviewers to work on ATO applications. This is freelance work which you can do from home, with the occasional travel to a site - mileage costs will be reimbursed.
Service Description
An ATO Reviewer is appointed to review Authorised Training Office (ATO) application documents and recommend ATO authorisations for ratification by the ICAS Qualifications Board Reviewers are appointed for a term of three years, renewable for one further term of three years at the discretion of the Quality Assurance & Regulations Manager.
Scope of work
Collaborating with the ICAS Quality Assurance & Regulations Manager (and Area Training Committee Chair where relevant), the ATO Reviewer is responsible for;
- Ensuring the ATO application documents are reviewed in full in respect of ATO approval.
- Drafting the initial Report Decision Form (RDF) highlighting any areas where clarification on compliance with training standards is required.
- Setting up and conducting the review visit (usually takes place online via MS Teams or onsite if preferred) with the proposed Counselling Member and/or Training Principal.
- Ensuring full record keeping of the review visit.
- Completing the RDF post review visit including recommendation to approve ATO status and any conditions or advisories that should be put in place.
- Ensuring RDF is sent to ICAS in a timely manner post review visit.
3 Hours is the time allocated per review (includes 1 hour preparation time, 1 hour review time, 1 hour report writing).
Main service outputs
- Ensuring compliance with ICAS Training Standards is evidenced by ATOs and reported.
- Recommending ATO approval for ratification by ICAS Qualifications Board. This includes identification of any conditional or advisory actions relating to the ATO approval.
- Recommending any process or procedure improvements.
- Ensuring full audit trails and documented rationales and record keeping in accordance with ICAS retention policies.
Responsibilities
Ultimately working to the ICAS Qualifications Board and in accordance with ICAS policies and procedures.
- Assess application documents and draft lines of enquiry pre review visit.
- Liaise directly with the firm to schedule the review visit, including ICAS representative.
- Conduct thorough review meeting with the firm ensuring evidence is provided in support of all training standards.
- Identify any areas where the firm may need to provide additional evidence in support of all training standards.
- Complete RDF including any conditions or advisory actions required.
- Recommend a firm’s suitability to become an ATO.
- Dispose of confidential information in accordance with ICAS’ retention policy.
Person Specification
- Experience in quality assurance.
- Knowledge of ICAS CA Qualification and/or ICAS ATO approval process.
- Integrity and respect for the confidential nature of ICAS’ ATO approval process
- Experience of working with sensitive and confidential information.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively and professionally with people at all levels.
- Effective team member- to work as part of a team.
- Flexibility and responsiveness to identified needs.
- Attention to detail.
- Ability to work to non-negotiable deadlines.
- The ability to use IT confidently and effectively.
- Availability in the period specified.
Join the team
Interested in getting involved? To apply, send us your CV, with a covering letter explaining why you’re suitable for the role by Tuesday 31 October 2023.
Apply now