The ACCA Probate and Administration course, delivered through Kaplan Altior’s online system, has been completed and assessed for the first time this July.
ACCA were determined to provide a probate course for accountants following a 2016 survey of 448 responses that highlighted an overwhelming desire to train in probate legal services. 81% of respondents indicated that they would appreciate probate training and qualifications.
ACCA had previously commented: “The ability to offer legal services complements the professional services that firms already provide to clients, such as inheritance tax, estate management and wealth management. As qualified accountants, ACCA members have relevant expertise and experience to undertake work in this area, and your knowledge of clients’ financial and taxation affairs allows you to provide effective and efficient continuity of service to your personal clients.
“Furthermore, ACCA can establish a proportionate and sustainable framework for legal services regulation and oversight by the Legal Services Board (LSB) through our existing regulatory and disciplinary systems, without the need to develop bespoke arrangements for legal services which would add complexity and cost.”
The course and three-hour long exam have been an immense success with an average pass mark of 81%. The qualification will now permit accountants to practice probate for the first time across England and Wales.
Jody Tranter, head of Kaplan Altior, said: “We’re thrilled to be strengthening our partnership with ACCA and expanding our offering to ACCA members to now encapsulate financial and legal training. We have worked closely with ACCA to provide expert training and assessments to ensure candidates have the necessary knowledge and skills to deliver probate advice to their clients effectively.
“It’s excellent to see such positive results from our first intake which I believe demonstrates the true value of online learning resources such as our Live Online system. By minimising time away from desks and making learning materials accessible through digital services, we’re able to continually assist professionals on their development journeys.”
Glenn Collins, head of technical advisory at the ACCA, commented: “We were one of the first professional accountancy bodies to be made an approved regulator for probate activities. Training and development in this field is important as probate can be complicated.
“But with Kaplan Altior, we’ve been able to take an innovative approach and offer a highly relevant course that’s flexible and online, allowing practitioners to take the course at a time that suits them. We’re all delighted with the pass rate – it’s a sure sign of success.”
Will qualifications like this be a positive transition for accountants delving into the world of probate? Will this have a positive impact on the legal services sector?
