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1) What is competency-based
education?
2) How long will it take me to complete the CASB program and receive my CA
designation?
3) What is the practical experience component of the program?
4) How much time will I spend on the modules?
5) How many times can I attempt a module?
6) How can I get a deadline extension on my tasks?
7) I was late with my original submission/resubmission. When will I receive
the reviewed tasks back from the facilitator?
8) Can the facilitator return my tasks early? I'm (getting
married/going on holiday, etc.)
9) How will late task submissions/resubmissions affect my final grade?
10) How many "unacceptable" tasks am I allowed in
a module before having to retake it?
11) Why doesn't CASB post suggested solutions to weekly
tasks?
12) Where can I get help with case writing technique?
13) Where can I get help with exam writing technique?
14) Where will the Face-to-Face Interactive Sessions (FFISs) be held?
15) If I have uncleared tasks from a module can I still attend the FFIS?
16) How do I prepare for the FFIS?
17) Are the reading tasks covered on the MCQs?
18) Why is the FFIS not compressed into two days?
19) Can I wear jeans to the FFIS?
20) How can I determine my performance at the FFIS?
21) What happens if I do not achieve competency in a module?
22) Will achieving my CA designation with CASB affect my national mobility
in the accounting field once I obtain my CA designation?
23) Does CASB have a student job placement service?
1) What is competency-based education?
The CASB Program uses a
competency-based approach to learning to achieve a set of learning outcomes
that will result
in students developing the competencies
required of a chartered accountant. The approach of competency-based
education differs significantly
from the traditional process which is based primarily on a "syllabus" of
course material - a list of items students must know to "pass" a
course. What students actually take away from that type of education process
varies dramatically.
The CASB Program is based
on the CICA "Competency Map" - a set of criteria that defines a competent CA. These are
the competencies upon which a student is evaluated in becoming a Chartered
Accountant.
A competency-based approach to CA qualification specifies expectations in
terms of learning outcomes, or what a student can do or accomplish rather than
in terms of knowledge acquired. It focuses on the application of knowledge
in the workplace not simply on the knowledge alone.
Student success in the CASB program is not based on memorizing material and
information, but on successfully completing the tasks in the modules while
building on competencies.
A competency-based approach
strengthens the link between the CA's formal
education and on-the-job performance in an ever-evolving business environment.
A competency-based approach also emphasizes the relationship between the CASB
program and the practical experience component in two ways: the application
of certain non-technical (pervasive) qualities in the course of applying technical
expertise and integration of the various areas of technical expertise.
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2) How long will it take me to complete the CASB program and receive my CA designation?
Once you have registered in the CASB program, you
can estimate a three year combined professional experience in a CA
Training Office and successful
completion of the six CASB core modules.
After the successful completion of the CASB program, including the practical
experience component, you will apply to the appropriate Provincial Institute
to formally be granted your CA designation.
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3) What is the practical experience component of the program?
The competency-based CASB program is a combination of the simultaneous successful
completion of facilitated online modules and a three year term of paid practical
experience in public practice. The practical experience portion of the program
must be fulfilled at a CA Training Office (CATO).
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4) How much time will I spend on the modules?
Though students bring to each module different strengths and weaknesses, they
should estimate spending an average of between 10 to 15 hours/week of individual
study on the modules. Each module involves eight weeks of online facilitated
learning followed by a three day face-to-face interactive session.
It is important for students to develop solid time management skills in order
to complete the requirements of each module efficiently and successfully. Beginning
tasks well in advance of deadlines leaves ample time for revisions and resubmissions.
This practice also allows sufficient time for research necessary for a task
or topic.
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5) How many times can I attempt a module?
The competency-based CASB program involves an approach to learning that involves
continuous evaluation, with regular feedback provided on tasks and assignments.
Students are allowed three attempts to achieve competency in any module before
being de-registered from the program.
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6) How can I get a deadline extension on my tasks?
The Human Resources person at your firm must request an extension on your
behalf. All requests for extensions must be made in writing to: Susan L. Deleau,
CA, Director of Learning. The extension policy is outlined in
the CASB Student Resource Guide.
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7) I was late with my original submission/resubmission. When will I receive the reviewed tasks back from the facilitator?
Students demonstrating the competency of time management are rewarded for
their efforts. The immediate consequence to students for a late submission
is their tasks will be reviewed only after all tasks which were submitted by
deadline are reviewed by the facilitator. This may delay feedback on a late
submission by 48 hours or more.
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8) Can the facilitator return my tasks early? I'm (getting married/going on holiday, etc.)
CASB is cognizant of the
myriad demands on students' time. However,
should a personal commitment or event (holidays, marriage, etc.) necessitate
an early submission of tasks, students should not expect to have their tasks
returned from their facilitator ahead of other students in their cohort. The
staggered return of tasks to students decreases the quality of the overall
review of students' work, as facilitators are then less likely to be
able to identify what might be a potential common concern or issue within
a cohort and address it with the group. Returning tasks to a student prior
to
others in a cohort also increases the potential for plagiarism (however unintentional)
to occur.
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9) How will late task submissions/resubmissions affect my final grade?
Late submissions usually
represent part of a larger concern for students, which is a difficulty
clearing a sufficient
number of tasks by the end of the
module. Student experience with the CASB program has demonstrated that once
a student falls behind on task submissions it is very difficult to catch
up. Work within the modules is never eliminated; it is simply deferred. Students
who fall behind in their submissions will not be given any special consideration
for reviewing their tasks ahead of other students and should not expect the
established 72-hour turnaround time from facilitators on reviewed work. Students
who submit tasks consistently to deadline will not be penalized as a facilitator
re-acquaints herself/himself with materials related to an earlier week's
task.
Effective time management and the ability to meet deadlines are pervasive
qualities of the professional CA. A student who has a significant number of
late submissions may experience a reduction in the overall outcome of the task
evaluations.
Final submission deadlines are in place throughout the CASB modules, as well
as at the end of the modules. Should a submission fall outside established
deadlines, it will not be accepted for review. Please refer to the Student
Resource Guide for a detailed explanation of the CASB policy governing late
submissions.
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10) How many "unacceptable" tasks am I allowed in a module before having to retake it?
There is no ascribed number of allowable uncleared tasks for a given module--the
acceptable number of uncleared tasks varies from module to module. CASB reviews
the number of uncleared tasks for each student and weighs this number against
the results on the application of knowledge and knowledge components of the
module. These rules are reviewed at the end of every module with the final
determination of competency on the task component determined by the percentage
of unaccepted tasks.
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11) Why doesn't CASB post suggested solutions to weekly tasks?
CASB tasks have many possible
outcomes. Posting a "suggested solution" would
discourage and diminish the value of these alternatives. To post each possible
outcome is not possible as the number can be significant and outlining the
differences does not add to the students' learning outcomes. Once a student's
task has been reviewed and accepted, the student has one of many possible "right
answers" related to that task.
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12) Where can I get help with case writing technique?
Students seeking additional
guidance in case writing technique should refer to the case writing module
linked
to every cohort's website.
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13) Where can I get help with exam writing technique?
Students seeking help with
exam writing techniques should refer to the case writing module linked
to each
cohort's website.
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14) Where will the Face-to-Face Interactive Sessions (FFISs) be held?
Face-to-Face Interactive
Sessions are held in Vancouver, Victoria, Calgary, Edmonton,
Saskatoon, Regina, and Winnipeg. Final decisions
on FFIS locations are determined by enrollment numbers and will be announced
prior to each session once enrollment is confirmed. There must be sufficient
enrollment in a session to ensure a continued offering in a particular centre.
Final locations of students' FFISs will be posted on
student bulletin boards prior to the sessions.
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15) If I have uncleared tasks from a module can I still attend the FFIS?
In most cases, a student
with uncleared tasks may attend the FFIS. A few uncleared tasks usually
does not warrant
a student result of "Not Eligible to Proceed" in
a module.
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16) How do I prepare for the FFIS?
Students should plan to spend three to four evenings reviewing the tasks
and readings from the previous eight weeks of the module. This review will
help to refresh their knowledge and ensure they have fully understood
and retained the information from the tasks and readings.
If a student is unsure of a topic, he or she is encouraged to use the
facilitator as a resource for further explanation and information.
Consult the CASB
Student Resource Guide for more information on the
Face-to-Face Interactive Session.
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17) Are the reading tasks covered on the MCQs?
Reading tasks are covered in the MCQs. MCQs may cover key concepts that are
included in the reading. This does not indicate a student has to memorize the
materials, but simply to understand the key concepts to a degree that allows
him or her to articulate them fully.
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18) Why is the FFIS not compressed into two days?
A three-day FFIS allows
sufficient time to review key concepts from the module, cover competencies
that are
conducive to online delivery and to introduce
students to some of the ideas that are in the next module. The three-day
period of the FFIS also allows the facilitator to assess students' performance
in the area of competencies and pervasive qualities.
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19) Can I wear jeans to the FFIS?
Dress code for the FFIS is business casual. For a detailed description of
business casual dress, please refer to the Student Resource Guide.
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20) How can I determine my performance at the FFIS?
You can discuss your performance at the FFIS with the facilitator during the
session, noting suggestions that may help improve your performance. You can
also review the outcome on the transcript and review your performance against
the explanation contained in the Student Resource Guide.
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21) What happens if I do not achieve competency in a module?
If a student does not achieve competency in any module, he or she must retake
it in its entirety at the next available offering. All core CASB modules (except
for Module 6) are offered at least twice throughout the year. Check the Module
Schedule to determine the next available offering of any specific module.
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22) Will achieving my CA designation with CASB affect my national mobility in the accounting field once I obtain my CA designation?
Achieving your accountancy education with CASB will not affect your national
mobility in the accounting profession. Once you have successfully completed
the six CASB core modules, you are prepared to write the UFE, which is a national
evaluation based on the CICA competency map. The criteria for practical experience
training are also developed nationally. This consistency will afford you continued
mobility throughout Canada.
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23) Does CASB have a student job placement service?
Though there is no formal CASB job placement service, the provincial institutes
approve the list of CA Training Offices (CATOs).
Alberta
British Columbia
Manitoba
Saskatchewan
In addition, each fall, universities set-up on campus student recruiting opportunities
for firms.
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