Approved

Employer (AE)
Programme
Handbook

Approved Employer (Ae) Programme Handbook

Contents
1. WHAT IS THE APPROVED EMPLOYER PROGRAMME?........................................... 3
Who is this handbook for?
What are the different types of accreditation?
What are the benefits of the Approved Employer programme for an organisation?
What are the benefits of the Approved Employer programme for ACCA students
and members?
Who can apply?
How much will it cost to become accredited?
What is the Scope of an approval?
What is Investors in People (IIP UK) accreditation?
2. ASSESSMENT FOR APPROVED EMPLOYER ACCREDITATION............................. 6
What are the criteria for accreditation?
What documentary evidence could I submit?
3. HOW TO MAKE AN APPLICATION..................................................................................13
What information do I need to make an application?
Helpful Tips
What is the process for becoming an Approved Employer?
How do I make an application?
How do I apply if I have Investors in People UK (IIP) accreditation?
How long does it take for ACCA to determine if an application is complete?
Who can help me in ACCA to make an application?
4. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I AM APPROVED?................................................................16
Renewals
Monitoring
Communications
Withdrawals
5. WHAT USEFUL CONTACTS MIGHT I NEED IN ACCA?...........................................17

CONTENTS

APPROVED EMPLOYER (AE) PROGRAMME HANDBOOK

1. What is the Approved Employer Programme?

The ACCA Approved Employer programme recognises
employers high standards of staff training and development.
ACCA Approved Employer status provides:

The criteria for becoming an Approved Employer in this stream

can be found in the Approved Employer assessment matrix (on
page 6).

f ormal recognition that your organisation is committed

to providing learning and development opportunities to
its finance staff which will enhance your organisations
reputation as an employer

Practicing Certificate Development

a
 n accessible global standard which enables organisations
to compare their learning and development support against
a global benchmark, enhancing your brand
f ast-track specific ACCA business processes your trainees
and/or members can benefit depending on which approval
stream you choose.
In summary, the Approved Employer programme provides an
overall framework within which ACCA can help to support your
organisations trainees and members.

Who is this handbook for?

This handbook is primarily intended as a source of
information for those organisations interested in holding
accreditation for training and development provided to
ACCA students and members.

What are the different types of

accreditation?
There are three type of accreditation:
Trainee Development (Gold or Platinum)
Professional Development
Practicing Certificate Development (General or Audit)

Trainee Development
The trainee development stream recognises the learning
opportunities your organisation provides for its employees
working towards either the ACCA Qualification or the Certified
Accounting Technician qualification (part of the Foundations in
Accountancy suite of awards).
There are two levels of approval gold and platinum. The
scheme is accessible to all and the level of approval awarded
reflects the support your organisation provides to trainees. It
is also progressive, enabling organisations approved at gold
level to work towards a higher level of approval.
We will review the learning and support your organisation
provides, focusing on study support and the provision of
suitable practical experience. The criteria for becoming
an Approved Employer in this stream can be found in the
Approved Employer assessment matrix (on page 6).

The practising certificate development stream recognises

employers who provide learning opportunities for trainees and
members training towards the ACCA practising certificate or
the ACCA practising certificate and audit qualification. The
criteria for becoming an Approved Employer in this stream can
be found in the Approved Employer assessment matrix (on
page 6).
There are two types of practising certificate development
approval:
A
 CCA Practising Certificate Development - General (holders
of an ACCA practising certificate may undertake general
practice work only).
A
 CCA Practising Certificate Development Audit (holders
of an ACCA practising certificate and audit qualification may
undertake both general practice work and work specifically
reserved for registered auditors).
Please note under the terms of our Global Practising
Regulations, it is mandatory for ACCA members to hold an
appropriate practising certificate in order to carry out public
practice work or to be partners or directors of a firm which
undertakes public practice.

What are the benefits of the Approved

Employer programme for an organisation?
ACCA Approved Employer status means even more than
gaining an international standard of recognition for your
employee training and/or development.

Exclusive Branding
To help your organisation demonstrate its achievement, an
ACCA Approved Employer certificate will be provided which
can be displayed, for example, for public viewing. Also a
logo will be provided which can be used, for example, on
organisational business letterheads and job advertisements.
ACCA Approved Employers trainee development stream can
be provided with one of the logos below according to their
approval level.

Professional Development
The professional development stream recognises employers
who provide learning opportunities for ACCA members to
support their Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

1. WHAT IS THE APPROVED EMPLOYER PROGRAMME?

APPROVED EMPLOYER (AE) PROGRAMME HANDBOOK

ACCA Approved Employers professional development

stream can be provided with the following logo.

a
 nswering the challenge questions for 13 Performance
Objectives (PO) and having these reviewed and signed
off by a workplace mentor recording and reporting their PER
progress through an online recording system called
My Experience.
An advantage of becoming an ACCA Approved Employer
trainee development is that your trainees practical experience
requirement could be simplified.

ACCA Approved Employers practicing certificate

development stream can be provided with the following logo.

Discounts From ACCA Careers.com

ACCA Approved Employers get a 25% discount on job listings
when hiring ACCA candidates through our official recruitment
website. ACCA Careers.com offers unique reach through our
marketing and connections to our large, international and
ambitious audience of finance professionals.
In addition, for key roles Approved Employers will receive
the Approved Employer logo alongside their recruitment
advertising, distinguishing them amongst the ACCA audience
as a supportive organisation, providing skills, training and CPD,
helping you to attract the most ambitious talent.

Discounts On ACCAs Online Certificates

Accessing quality specialist finance learning and assessment
enables you to increase the skill of your workforce. ACCA
Approved Employers receive discounts on our online specialist
finance certificates in finance topics including International
Financial Reporting and International Auditing.

Accounting Link
Especially for employers of finance professionals, this regular
e-bulletin is designed to bring you timely news and information
about ACCA and developments within the profession.

What are the benefits of the Approved

Employer programme for my ACCA students
and members?
Trainee Development Stream
ACCA Approved Employer trainee development stream
status recognises your organisations commitment to progress
its trainees careers as finance professionals.
To achieve ACCA membership a trainee has to complete
the ACCA exams, the Professional Ethics module and the
Performance Experience Requirement (PER), which requires:
c ompleting three years employment in an accounting or
finance-related role(s)

1. WHAT IS THE APPROVED EMPLOYER PROGRAMME?

If your organisation becomes a gold or platinum ACCA

Approved Employer, you can decide whether or not your
trainees can take advantage of the Performance Objective
exemption available when working for an Approved Employer.
This means that your trainees do not need to complete the
challenge questions associated with each of our Performance
Objectives required for membership.
This exemption reflects the fact that the organisation meets
ACCAs demanding criteria for trainee development, including
having the policies and processes in place that allow trainees
to meet the minimum requirements of ACCAs PER. It means
that ACCA has confidence in your organisations systems and
processes and at the same time removes duplication of effort
with regard to record keeping.
If this status is awarded, it should be emphasised that all ACCA
trainees employed by your organisation still need to record the
number of months relevant work experience they have gained
using the online My Experience recording tool. However, this is
a very quick and straightforward process.
Please note that it is you, the employer not the
trainee who decides whether the trainee can claim the
Performance Objective exemption.
If you prefer your trainees to complete the 13 Performance
Objectives, they will need to have their challenge questions
signed off by a Workplace Mentor.

Professional Development Stream

ACCA Approved Employer professional development stream
status recognises your organisations commitment to the career
development of its qualified accountants as finance professionals.
Career development is critical to effective employee retention.
ACCA members who are employed by an Approved Employer
under the Professional Development stream are automatically
exempt from having to follow ACCAs Continuous Professional
Development (CPD) Unit Scheme Route due to the high quality
of support that their employer provides to ensure that their
knowledge and skills stay up to date.
However, members are still required to complete their annual
CPD declaration confirming they are covered by the Approved
Employer route but this process is simple and only takes a
few minutes. Members are asked to indicate their chosen
CPD route, whether they are involved in the audit of historical
financial information and to confirm that they have kept their
professional ethics up to date.

APPROVED EMPLOYER (AE) PROGRAMME HANDBOOK

Who can apply?

What is the Scope of an approval?

The Approved Employer programme is inclusive and we do not

specify the size of the business that should apply for Approved
Employer status. Therefore, we will accept applications from a
wide variety of organisations, ranging from large multinational
organisations to small family run businesses.

The scope of approval identifies the extent of cover to

employees of your organisation. This can be:

There are different ways to evidence the Approved Employer

assessment matrix targets which will depend on the policies
and procedures in place in each individual organisation. This
also may vary depending on the size of the organisation.
Therefore, the manner in which each organisation evidences
each target may differ.

individual department or function approval is relevant to

one department or function

If you are unsure of how you can evidence each Approved

Employer assessment matrix target please contact the New
Accreditations team at newaccreditations@accaglobal.com
and we will be happy to assist you with your query.

What is Investors in People UK (IIP)

accreditation?

How much will it cost to become

accredited?
The Approved Employer programme is free to join and can
help you to bring talented people into your organisation.

1. WHAT IS THE APPROVED EMPLOYER PROGRAMME?

s ingle office approval is relevant to one office in a single

geographic location

country wide this scope applies within a single country

number of offices approval is relevant to offices located in
multiple countries.

ACCA has an agreement with Investors in People UK (IIP) with

respect to the professional development stream of approval.
The agreement enables organisations in the UK that hold
Investor in People status to be automatically eligible for the
professional development stream of ACCA Approved Employer.

APPROVED EMPLOYER (AE) PROGRAMME HANDBOOK

2. Assessment for Approved Employer Accreditation

What are the criteria for accreditation?
Below are the targets organisations are required to meet for each stream/level of approval.

PLAN

DO

REVIEW

Objectives are
identified as part of the
performance review.

Practical experience
is provided to meet
objectives.

Workplace mentor(s)
review practical
experience at least
every 12 months (a).

Learning needs are

identified as part of the
performance review.

Gold study support

is provided to trainees.

Trainees objectives
are evaluated against
organisational or
departmental objectives.

Platinum

Trainees
objectives are linked
to organisational
or departmental
objectives.

Platinum study
support is provided to
trainees.

Trainees objectives
are evaluated against
organisational or
departmental objectives.

CPD

Trainee Development / Professional Development

Formal objectives
are set and development
needs are identified
which are relevant to the
members current role
or future career aspirations.

Resources are
committed which enable
members to achieve their
objectives and develop
effectively in line with
their career plans.

Objectives and
development plans
are formally reviewed
at least once every 12
months.

Individuals
intentions towards
training for an ACCA
practising certificate
(and audit qualification)
are discussed and
objectives are set as
part of an appraisal
process, if required.

Individuals are
provided with support
to enable them to meet
their objectives.

Individuals training
towards an ACCA
practising certificate
(and audit qualification)
have their objectives reassessed at least once
every six months as part
of a review.

Individuals,
principals (d) and
authorised supervisors
(e) are aware of the
requirements for an
ACCA practising
certificate (and audit
qualification).

Individuals are
provided with sufficient/
appropriate work
experience pre and
post membership
in order to meet
practising certificate
(and audit qualification)
requirements.

Individuals are
required to ensure their
practising certificate
training records
are completed and
reviewed by their
principal or authorised
supervisor at least once
every six months.

There are two levels of approval

available for the Trainee Development
stream:

Gold

Pre-membership TRAINEE
DEVELOPMENT

For GOLD level your organisation must

be able to meet all six statements.
For PLATINUM level your organisation
must be able to meet all six Gold
statements AND all three Platinum
statements.

Post-membership PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT
Your organisation must be able to
meet all three statements.

Practicing Certificate Development

Post-membership PRACTISING
CERTIFICATE DEVELOPMENT

Practising certificate

Your organisation must be able to

meet all seven statements.

Principals and
authorised supervisors
are qualified
accountants and
eligible to act in this
position.

2. ASSESSMENT FOR APPROVED EMPLOYER ACCREDITATION

APPROVED EMPLOYER (AE) PROGRAMME HANDBOOK

Suggested Documentation
In order to meet trainee development gold your organisation must provide supporting documentation for statements 1 6. For
the platinum level approval your organisation must provide supporting documentation for statements 1 9.

Gold Approval
1 Objectives are identified as part of the performance review (Plan)
As an Approved Employer, you are required to set trainees objectives as part of a performance review. Through the
performance review process, a trainee must be clear on what they are expected to deliver in their role. This includes formally
documenting how a trainee will work towards achieving relevant practical experience, equivalent to ACCAs Practical
Experience Requirements (PER), throughout the performance year.
Evidence could include
Performance Review Documentation
Staff handbook/policy outlining the performance review process.
2 Practical experience is provided to meet objectives (Do)
ACCA trainees and workplace mentors must understand their roles and responsibilities in relation to a trainee meeting their
PER. As part of the application process, trainees and mentors will be required to verify their understanding of their practical
experience obligations.
As an Approved Employer you need to be able to verify that trainees are provided with the opportunity to undertake activities
that meet the minimum requirements of ACCAs PER. You need to be able to clearly demonstrate that you have the people
and processes in place that allow a trainee to work towards meeting their PER.
Evidence could include
Performance Review Documentation
Job descriptions
Competency Framework.
3 Workplace Mentor(s) review practical experience at least every 12 months (Review)
As an Approved Employer, you need to be able to confirm that trainees plan and agree activities with a workplace mentor
and that these are formally reviewed at least once every 12 months. The review should include evaluating the practical
experience that has been achieved and identifying further development opportunities in areas where practical experience is
still not sufficient.
Evidence could include
Performance Review Documentation
Development Plans
Trainees documenting experience through the My Experience tool and this being signed off by a workplace mentor.
4 Learning needs are identified as part of the performance review (Plan)
As part of the performance review process, learning needs are identified in relation to a trainees progress towards achieving
ACCA membership. This includes assessing trainees exam and practical experience progress and ensuring appropriate
processes and measurements are in place to address any learning needs relating to their studies.
Evidence could include
Performance Review Documentation
Development Plans
Study policy guidelines (for example, outlining the support available and the action that would be taken in the event of
poor exam progress).

2. ASSESSMENT FOR APPROVED EMPLOYER ACCREDITATION

APPROVED EMPLOYER (AE) PROGRAMME HANDBOOK

5 Gold study support is provided to trainees (Do)

As an Approved Employer you must provide the following support to trainees when undertaking study programmes and
sitting exams:
Trainees must be assigned an appropriately qualified workplace mentor
Trainees must take part in regular progress/guidance meetings with workplace mentors and/or line managers to review
progress in studies and exams
Trainees must receive paid leave to sit exams and/or provide the following financial support:
The organisation must make a financial contribution (does not have to be 100%) towards at least TWO of the following:
exam fees
subscription fees
registration fees
exemption fees
travel costs (for study and exam related purposes)
subsistence costs (for study and exam related purposes).
The organisation must also make a financial contribution (does not have to be 100%) towards at least ONE of the following:
study materials
study courses led by external expert tuition providers (correspondence, day release, block release, evening, weekend or
in-house)
revision courses led by external expert tuition providers (correspondence, day release, block release, evening, weekend or
in-house)
Evidence could include
Written study policy
Confirmation of payment for support offered (invoices, receipts)
Communications to employees of support provided.
6 Performance is reviewed at least once every 12 months (Review)
As an Approved Employer you must assess the objectives that are set for a trainee as part of the performance review process.
The process should include monitoring the progress trainees are making in their studies as well as their workplace learning. It
should also highlight what action could/would be taken where a trainees progress is deemed as unsatisfactory.
Evidence could include
Performance Review Documentation
Development Plans
Study policy guidelines
Training reports (detailing trainees exams progress)/Tuition provider progress reports.

Platinum Approval
In order to meet platinum level, organisations must meet the 6 gold level criteria plus the further 3 criteria outlined below.
7 Trainees objectives are linked to organisational or departmental objectives (Plan)
An Approved Employer must have a formal process in place that links the objectives of trainees to organisational or
departmental objectives. Trainees should be able to clearly explain how their objectives link to those of the organisation and/
or department.
Evidence could include
Performance Review Documentation
Job descriptions
Operational plans
Corporate plans.

2. ASSESSMENT FOR APPROVED EMPLOYER ACCREDITATION

APPROVED EMPLOYER (AE) PROGRAMME HANDBOOK

8 Platinum study support is provided to trainees (Do)

In addition to meeting the requirement of Gold support, an Approved Employer must also provide the following:
Additional study leave (does not have to be paid)
The Approved Employer must pay the one off admission fee when a trainee applies for ACCA membership and/or the
membership subscription fee
Evidence could include
Written study policy
Confirmation of payment for support offered (invoices, receipts).
9 Trainees objectives are evaluated against organisational or departmental objectives (Review)
An Approved Employer must have a formal process in place that allows the objectives of a trainee to be evaluated against
those of the organisation or their department. Trainees should be able to clearly explain how their performance in the review
year has contributed to the overall objectives of the organisation/department.
Evidence could include
Performance Review Documentation.

2. ASSESSMENT FOR APPROVED EMPLOYER ACCREDITATION

APPROVED EMPLOYER (AE) PROGRAMME HANDBOOK

Professional Development
Professional development only has one level of approval.
1 Formal objectives are set and development needs are identified which are relevant to the
members current role or future career aspirations (Plan)
As an Approved Employer, you are required to set ACCA members objectives as part of a performance review. Through the
performance review process, a member must be clear on what they are expected to deliver in their role. Members are also
required to prepare and agree a formal development plan with their line manager. This development plan could include
activities that are both relevant to the members current role or their future career aspirations. The development plan should
explain the reason for each proposed activity and highlight the expected learning outcome for the member.
Evidence could include
Performance Review Documentation
Personal Development Plans
Job descriptions.
2 Resources are committed which enable members to achieve their objectives and develop
effectively in line with their career plans (Do)
As an Approved Employer you must ensure that ACCA members are provided with opportunities to work towards achieving
their objectives. You must also provide resources that enable ACCA members to undertake the training and development
opportunities outlined in their development plan. Resources could include financial support, internal and external training
courses, access to a workplace mentor and time being allocated to undertake specified development activities such as
e-learning.
Evidence could include
Training budget
Formal Development policy
Confirmation employees have attended courses
Course invoices.
3 Objectives and development plans are formally reviewed at least once every 12 months (Review)
As an employer you must ensure that the objectives and development activities of ACCA members are formally reviewed
at least once every 12 months. This process should review the extent to which a member has progressed towards meeting
their development needs, the learning outcome of activities and the value to their current role or future career aspirations.
The review should evaluate if development activities have been effective in achieving their intended outcome and begin the
process of identifying further development needs.
Evidence could include
Performance Review Documentation
Personal Development Plans.

2. ASSESSMENT FOR APPROVED EMPLOYER ACCREDITATION

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APPROVED EMPLOYER (AE) PROGRAMME HANDBOOK

Practising Certificate Development

To be eligible for Approved Employer Practising Certificate Development approval an organisation will be required to
demonstrate that they meet all of the best practice statements noted below. As part of the approval process, an employer will be
required to provide an explanation and supporting documentary evidence as to how these are achieved within their organisation.
1 Individuals intentions towards training for an ACCA practising certificate (and audit qualification)
are discussed and objectives are set as part of an appraisal process, if required (Plan)
Approved Employers need to set trainees objectives and members objectives, if required, and document these as part of a
performance review. Trainees and/or members must be clear on what they are expected to deliver in their role.
2 Individuals are provided with support to enable them to meet their objectives (Do)
As an Approved Employer you need to be able to verify that trainees and/or members are provided with the opportunity to
undertake activities that meet the ACCA practising certificate (and audit qualification) requirements. You need to be able to
clearly demonstrate that you have the people and processes in place that allow a trainee and/or member to work towards
achieving a practising certificate (and audit qualification).
3 Individuals training towards an ACCA practising certificate (and audit qualification) have
their objectives re-assessed at least once every six months as part of a review (Review)
As an Approved Employer, you need to be able to demonstrate that where trainees and/or members are training towards an
ACCA practising certificate (and audit qualification), their objectives are formally reviewed every six months.
4 Individuals, principals (d) and authorised supervisors (e) are aware of the requirements for an
ACCA practising certificate (and audit qualification) (Plan)
ACCA trainees, members, principals and authorised supervisors must understand their roles and responsibilities in relation to a
trainee and/or member training towards an ACCA practising certificate (and audit qualification). As part of the application and
monitoring processes, members will be required to verify their understanding of the practising certificate requirements.
5 Individuals are provided with sufficient/appropriate work experience pre and post membership
in order to meet practising certificate (and audit qualification) requirements (Do)
As an Approved Employer you need to be able to verify that trainees and/or members are provided with the opportunity to
undertake activities that meet the ACCA practising certificate (and audit qualification) requirements. You need to evaluate
the practical experience that has been achieved and identify further development opportunities in areas where practical
experience is still not sufficient.

2. ASSESSMENT FOR APPROVED EMPLOYER ACCREDITATION

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APPROVED EMPLOYER (AE) PROGRAMME HANDBOOK

6 Individuals are required to ensure their practising certificate training records are completed
and reviewed by their principal or authorised supervisor at least once every six months
(Review)
As an Approved Employer, you need to be able to demonstrate that where trainees and/or members are training towards an
ACCA practising certificate (and audit qualification), their practising certificate training record is reviewed every six months.
7 Principals and authorised supervisors are qualified accountants and eligible to act in this
position (Plan)
A principal (d) is defined as an appropriately qualified member of a professional body who has overall responsibility for
supervising the training of up to ten individuals towards ACCAs practising certificates and acts as guarantor to ACCA that
individuals have reached the required standards. See table on definitions section of the Assessment Matrix for further details.
An authorised supervisor (e) is defined as a qualified member of a professional accountancy body to whom the principal has
delegated responsibility for reviewing and verifying ACCA training records for a practising certificate. This person does not
need to be a qualified auditor.
However, the principal must ensure that an authorised supervisor has the necessary qualifications and experience. The
authorised supervisor must be a senior staff member in the organisation, have knowledge of the individuals work and the
training undertaken.

2. ASSESSMENT FOR APPROVED EMPLOYER ACCREDITATION

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APPROVED EMPLOYER (AE) PROGRAMME HANDBOOK

3. How to make an application

What information do I need to make an
application?
To make an application for approved employer status you will
be required to provide the following information as part of the
online application process. Therefore we suggest that you have
this information to hand before making an application.
Organisation name
Address details
Contact details

Employee information
- Number of employees
- Number of Directors/partners
- Number of finance employees

Number of ACCA students/members

Primary/Secondary contact details
Stream of approval
S
 cope of approval (to cover a single office, single
department, multiple offices or all offices countrywide)
C
 onfirmation your organisation meets all required targets
for stream you are applying for.
Information on how your organisation meets each target.
S
 upporting documentation to evidence that your
organisation meets each target.
C
 onfirmation if your employees are able to claim the
exemption from the performance objectives (trainee
development only)
N
 ominate a suitably qualified accountant as the mentor
(trainee development only)

As well as the above information, you will be required to

provide us with supporting documentation to show that your
organisation satisfies each target as described in the AE
Assessment matrix. This matrix is part of the online application
process and is on page 6 of this guide. Please note this
supporting documentation must be uploaded as part of the
online application.
As part of the application process and depending on the
stream of approval applied for, employers will be expected
to provide contact details of ACCA members and/or ACCA
trainees as well as a qualified accountant employed by the
organisation who can verify the information provided in the
application.

Helpful Tips
To try to ensure that you receive an outcome as soon as
possible please see below the 4 most common reason
applications are returned.
1. Missing Membership Certificates for Workplace Mentors
We require this to ensure that Workplace Mentors are fully
qualified.
2. Primary contact is a Student/Affiliate As part of the
application we cannot accept an ACCA student/affiliate as
the Primary contact.
3. Trainee Development verifier is not an ACCA student
As part of an Trainee Development application we require
verifications from ACCA students that are employed by the
organisation, therefore we cannot accept an ACCA member
as a verifier.
4. Professional Development verifier is not an ACCA member
As part of an Professional Development application
we require verifications from ACCA members that are
employed by the organisation, therefore we cannot accept
an ACCA student as a verifier.

ACCA trainee/member verification contact details

3. HOW TO MAKE AN APPLICATION

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APPROVED EMPLOYER (AE) PROGRAMME HANDBOOK

What is the process for becoming an Approved Employer?

EMPLOYER
Complete the online application,
including verification details
and uploading supporting
documentation.

EMPLOYEE
Nominated ACCA trainee/member
verifiers complete the online
verification and nominated mentors
complete the verification (trainee
development only).

ACCREDITATION
Within five days, determine that
we have all required information to
proceed with the assessment of the
application.

ACCREDITATION
Conduct a full assessment of
the organisations supporting
documentation against the relevant
criteria.

ACCREDITATION
Update our Approved Employer
database with the organisations
approval.

ACCREDITATION
Communicate outcome of
application to the organisation.

3. HOW TO MAKE AN APPLICATION

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APPROVED EMPLOYER (AE) PROGRAMME HANDBOOK

How do I make an application?

The online application should only take 1520 minutes if you
have prepared the required documentation prior to completing
the application. To make an application for Approved Employer
status you are required to visit the link below.
www.accaglobal.com/employers
On the right of the page in the Approved Employer
Programme box select Find out more, click on How to apply
then click on APPLY NOW
Tip: We recommend using Internet Explorer 8 or Google
Chrome 42x. Also when completing the application and using
the navigation buttons within the application do not use the
back and forward browser buttons.

How do I apply if I have Investors in People

UK (IIP) accreditation?
If your organisation is based in the UK or Ireland and is
recognised by IIP, you may apply directly for the award of
Approved Employer (professional development stream) by
contacting us on newaccreditations@accaglobal.com. You will
not need to undertake any additional work and we will grant
your ACCA Approved Employer award for the same period as
set by IIP for its standard. Your IIP status will be unaffected by
any approvals granted by ACCA.
Any organisation which has its IIP status renewed will
automatically be eligible to have its Approved Employer award
renewed. However, organisations which lose their IIP status will
have their ACCA Approved Employer status suspended.
Issues relating to the approval of organisations as Approved
Employers are the sole responsibility of ACCA. If you
would like further information on or have any queries
about the Approved Employer programme, please email
newaccreditations@accaglobal.com.

How long does it take for ACCA to determine if an application is complete?

ACTIVITY

SERVICE LEVEL AGREEMENT

Pre-checks

The Accreditation Department will aim to provide you with an indication as to whether all necessary
information has been received within five working days of receipt of application and verifications. If this
turnaround is not possible a member of the Accreditation Department will provide an estimated date of
completion upon receipt of the full application.

Full assessments

The Accreditation Department will aim to provide you with a full outcome within three weeks of receipt
of all necessary documentation. If this turnaround is not possible, a member of the Accreditation
Department will provide an estimated date of completion.

Who can help me in ACCA to make an application?

If you have any questions about the Approved Employer Programme or how to make an application please contact the New
Accreditations team on newaccreditations@accaglobal.com or +44 (0)141 534 4199.

3. HOW TO MAKE AN APPLICATION

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4. What happens when I am approved?

Existing Accreditation team look after continual approval
of employers to ensure high standards in staff training and
development demonstrated as part of the application process
continue to be met and that ACCA members and trainees can
continue to benefit from relevant PO/CPD exemptions.

Renewals
Approved employers are required to take part in renewals
of their status every three years. When approvals are due for
renewal, relevant employers will be contacted and required to
confirm their continued eligibility for the programme by taking
part in simple administrative process.

Monitoring
Six years after the initial approval, approved employer status
award is monitored. The Existing Accreditations team will
contact employers with Trainee Development and Professional
Development approvals to supply their evidence which will
then be assessed. If the employer continues to meet the
standards required of the Approved Employer programme
their approval will be extended. If deemed appropriate, the
employers may be advised of any improvements they should
make to enable them to continue to hold their approvals.
Approvals may be withdrawn if the employers are not able
to provide sufficient evidence demonstrating continual
compliance with ACCA quality standards.
Any employers holding Practising Certificate Development
approvals will be contacted by the Licensing team who
will either arrange an on-site monitoring visit, or a deskbased review.

4. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I AM APPROVED?

Communications
ACCAs Approved Employer status is subject to renewal and
monitoring every three years and it is essential to take part in
the review in order to retain the approval. Each employer will
be contacted by email explaining the renewal or monitoring
process and next steps, including deadline for submission of
relevant documents.
Those employers who do not comply with this requirement by
date specified will receive a reminder after the closing date
specified, however, if they still fail to respond, their approval
will be withdrawn.
It is very important to ensure that ACCA has your correct and
up to date contact details, to avoid withdrawal of the approval
status in the event of us being unable to reach relevant
individuals within the organisation.

Withdrawals
In the event of approved employer status withdrawal work
experience gained by any ACCA trainees in your organisation
will continue to contribute towards the practical experience
for ACCA membership, however, they will not be eligible to
claim Performance Objectives exemption. Please see ACCAs
website Practical Experience for further information.
Likewise, ACCA members employed by your organisation will
not be eligible to participate in the CPD programme via ACCA
Approved Employer route - they will be able to choose from
alternative routes available. Please see ACCAs CPD i-guide for
more information.
PCD approvals - Please note that in the event of withdrawal
of approved employer status, any work experience that
an ACCA trainee or member obtains with your firm will
no longer contribute towards the training required for an
ACCA practising certificate and, where applicable, ACCA
practising certificate and audit qualification.

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5. What useful contacts might I need in ACCA?

1. For queries regarding Approved Employer accreditation:

Please contact ACCAs New Accreditations team on +44 (0)141 534 4199.

2. For general information and queries regarding PER:

Please contact ACCA Connect on +44 (0)141 582 2000.

3. For queries regarding Practicing Certificates:

Please contact ACCAs Authorisations team on +44 (0)141 534 4175.

4. For queries regarding CPD:

Please contact ACCAs Professional Development team on +44 (0)141 534 4008.

5. For queries regarding Existing Approved Employer approvals:

Please contact ACCAs Existing Accreditations team on +44 (0)141 534 4540.

5. WHAT USEFUL CONTACTS MIGHT I NEED IN ACCA?

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New Accreditations Team

ACCA
2 Central Quay 89 Hydepark Street
Glasgow G3 8BW United Kingdom
+44 (0)141 534 4199
www.accaglobal.com

The information contained in this

publication is provided for general
purposes only. While every effort
has been made to ensure that the
information is accurate and up to date
at the time of going to press, ACCA
accepts no responsibility for any loss
which may arise from information
contained in this publication. No part
of this publication may be reproduced,
in any format, without prior written
permission of ACCA.
ACCA July 2015.