Accountancy training has a brainwave

Richard Clarke is a former international training director for BPP, the largest accountancy training provider in Europe, and was the highest rated tutor at its London head office.

He has also been researching neurology for the past 10 years, and believes that happiness and motivation have a huge impact on exam results. Recent research suggests that just changing one's outlook alone can improve results by up to 40 per cent, he says.

Clark is planning to open up the Richard Clarke Academy in Malta this summer and six other offices next year, to provide innovative training in five-star luxury facilities for students to become qualified accountants in ACCA and CIMA as well as continuing professional development to qualified accountants.

The academy's methods and techniques are all based on the latest scientific research into how the brain works, study skills and memory boosters. Strategically placed throughout the course are think recaps, contemplation periods, shorter lecture times, material specifically chosen to be taught at certain times of the day and a bright, fresh design throughout. It also makes original use of e-mail, internet, and podcasts all interwoven with traditional teaching methods.

Clark has already incorporated these techniques into his own teaching and the results have been astonishing. In line with the innovative course structures the academy will now be the first college on the island to offer computer-based exams for the first three ACCA examination papers F1, F2 and F3. Students will not have to wait until June and December to take their exams - the academy will offer exam dates throughout the year, and students will receive their result immediately. Also, if students fail, they will be able to re-sit them straight away.

This has an added advantage of allowing students to pass through the ACCA qualification more rapidly. For example, they can take the F1-F3 computer-based exams in August and still have time to do F4-F6 in December.

The academy will also tailor courses to suit the slightly different demands of the CBE. For more information, e-mail: richard@richardclarkacademy.com or visit www.richardclarkeacademy.com