DFK UK & Ireland, a leading association of independent accounting firms have been talking to their clients and contacts in order to understand how businesses are re purposing through the COVID-19 lock-down.

In the 11th in a series of articles, I spoke to Katie Collins, National CIMA Product Manager for Kaplan

Kaplan are a leading provider of Financial, Accountancy & Business Training, they are US owned and operate in over 30 countries. Kaplan UK teach a range of accountancy qualifications through the professional bodies AAT, ACCA, ACA ICAEW and CIMA. Prior to lockdown, Kaplan offered classroom learning as well as ‘OnDemand’, ‘Live Online’ and distance learning study options.

“People suit different types of learning” says Katie “whilst some prosper with the interaction they have in the classroom, others suit the flexibility of OnDemand learning which can fit around childcare and work commitments. Others much prefer Live Online which emulates the classroom environment through a live online portal”

Because Kaplan were already offering online study methods and were working towards the provision of more in this format, they were able to move all their classroom sessions online within 24 hours of lockdown. However, the stumbling block has been the physical sitting of exams and assessments, many of which have been suspended for the time being. Katie says that CIMA have been ‘incredibly adaptive’ being the first professional body to have moved all their exams to an online format, CIMA students have been able to sit exams at home from May 4th using established ‘Pearson Vue’ remote testing software which incorporates live monitoring by an invigilator using a webcam and microphone to ensure students are adhering to the usual exam conditions. The other professional bodies have followed suit with online proctoring being considered or already being used. 

Collins has found that some students who previously preferred the physical classroom format are actually coming-round to online-learning more than she thought they would. Whilst Kaplan may return some students to the classroom in the Autumn, she predicts that there will be a larger take-up of Live Online and OnDemand formats in the future. With this in mind, Kaplan are offering a free five day trial of Live Online here. 

Katies tip to business owners and individuals surviving lockdown is

“Keep going, keep adapting and keep motivated”