IRBA Newsletter 27

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EDUCAT I ON , TRA I N I NG
AND PROFESS I ONAL DEVELOPMENT
The IRBA is excited about the changes to the qualification
route to becoming a RegisteredAuditor (RA). The introduction
of the Audit Development Programme (ADP), which will be
effective from 1 January 2015, will raise the profile of RAs to
that of specialists in the field of accounting. The qualification
route will also concentrate on the development of professional
skills required to function at a more senior level within public
practice.
Due to 2014 being the last year that the PPE will be written and
the introduction of the ADP in 2015, the route to qualifying as
an RAwill now be as follows:
1. Arecognised academic programme
?Successful completion of a B. Com. Accounting degree or
equivalent. Currently, the only IRBArecognised
undergraduate programmes are those accredited by
SAICA.
?Successful completion of the Certificate in the Theory of
Accounting (CTA) or equivalent. Currently, the only IRBA-
recognised post graduate programmes are those
accredited by SAICA.
2. Arecognised core assessment programme
?Successful completion of an assessment of core
competence. Currently, the only IRBA-recognised
assessment of core competence is the Initial Test of
Competence (ITC) of SAICA.
3. AProfessional development programme
?The professional development programme comprises
three aspects:
i. Successful completion of a recognised training contract.
Currently, the only IRBA-recognised training contracts
are those accredited and administered by SAICA.
ii. Successful completion of a programme of professional
competence. Currently, the only IRBA-recognised
profession programmes are those of service-providers
accredited by SAICA.
iii.Successful completion of a final assessment of
professional competence. Currently, the only IRBA-
recognised assessment of professional competence is
the Assessment of Professional Competence (APC)
presented annually by SAICA.
4. On successful completion of all of the above programmes,
a candidate is eligible to enter theADP.
5. TheAudit Development Programme (ADP).
?The ADP is the joint responsibility of the IRBA and the RA
firms. It builds on the competence of a professional
accountant and focuses on the competence required for a
specialist role within the field of professional accounting;
that of an RA.
?The requirements are in-put and out-put based. Registered
Candidate Auditors (RCAs) are required to complete the
following:
i. A minimum of 18 months in an audit and assurance
environment.
ii. A minimum of 1 500 productive hours in audit and
assurance.
iii.Successful demonstration of the competences outlined
in the competence framework prescribed by the IRBA.
?RCAs are required to register with the IRBA and to identify
a senior RA who is prepared to serve as an Oversight
Registered Auditor (ORA) for the duration of the
programme.
?RCAs are required to report to the IRBA on a six-monthly
basis on their progress throughout theADP.
?Final assessment is through the submission of a portfolio of
evidence. There is no written assessment. The portfolio of
evidence must be submitted to the IRBA together with
evidence of the completion of the minimum period of 18
months and 1 500 productive hours in audit and assurance.
?RCAs whose training contract was completed in an
elective other than Audit and Assurance are required to
undertake additional hours in completion of theADP.
6. On successful completion of the ADP, the candidate is
eligible for registration as an RA.
This article is a summarised version of the ADP. Please visit
the IRBA's website for a full version of the
programme.
For queries on the ADP, please contact Robert Zwane at
3 Issue 27 July - September 2014