student handbook studysmart acca 2014
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ACCA Student Handbook 2014-2015
StudySmart®
www.studysmart.gr
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Welcome
In a constantly challenging and demanding world, it is imperative that prospective
students, candidates and professionals are equipped with the best possible
knowledge. For close to 20 years my colleagues and I have tried to offer top quality
services relating to education, and specifically professional training and educational
counseling.
I am proud to have been instrumental in launching professional qualifications in
Greece in the late 1990’s and having trained thousands of professionals in
professional qualifications and certifications in Greece, Cyprus, Russia, Serbia, Czech
Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Poland, Dubai and other countries. Through this unique
experience, we feel that we will be able to offer a unique selling proposition packed
with experience, professionalism and success. We, at StudySmart® have enjoyed this
“ride” and have proved that value is appreciated however competitive the market
can be. Prospective candidates, corporate leaders and even parents have given us the
courage to move forward dynamically and offer additional educational and training
services.
Our partnerships, our corporate sponsors and affiliates, our international experience
and our dedicated training team will certainly help us achieve a leading market
position in new market segments. In this challenging decade, top quality counseling,
support and training is crucial. We can certainly help you achieve your goals because
we have done it again…and again…
Let us help you stay ahead of the game…
Dino
Dr. Constantine V. Kiritsis, Founder, StudySmart
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Table of contents
StudySmart® study scheme
The ACCA Ethics Module
ACCA Work Experience Requirements
Examination Resources
ACCA Programme Contact Details
Important Dates
Formal Complains Procedure
Student Feedback
Student Regulations & Code of Conduct
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StudySmart® Study Scheme
Our study programme for the ACCA qualification is based on close to 15 years of
experience in ACCA training in Greece & abroad. It is designed to give our students
the best possible chances of passing all of their examinations on their first attempt.
All of our tuition courses include mock examinations to test your knowledge and
show you how much you need to study before the real exam and what to focus on. It
is also an opportunity to practice under examination conditions. Our tutors provide
constructive feedback summaries and individual analysis within 10 days of mock
completion.
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The ACCA Ethics Module Ethics is an integral component of the ACCA qualification, directly appearing in 11 of the 14 examination papers and in all of the essential work experience performance objectives. The Ethics Module is an online training course with the aim of exposing students to a range of ethical perspectives in business. Students have access to the module in the examination session they are eligible to sit paper P1 Professional Accountant. The ethics module is a key component to P1 training at StudySmart®. All students are required to sit the module in conjunction with the tuition courses, and completion is mandatory before applying for ACCA membership. In addition, statistics show that completion of this module before the P1 tuition course greatly increase a student’s understanding of the syllabus and results in higher examination pass rates for all Professional Level examination papers. More information on the Ethics module can be found at : http://www.accaglbal.com/en/student/qualification-resources/acca-qualification/acca-exams/professional-ethics.html
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The ACCA Work Experience Requirements
Gaining the relevant practice experience is a key component to the ACCA
qualification. In the demanding accounting and business professions it is essential to
link your theoretical knowledge from the examinations to practical applications in the
workplace.
The ACCA Practical Experience Requirements (PER) are closely linked to the exam
syllabus to further develop your skills in the workplace. The framework of the PER
enables you to achieve a high level of knowledge, ability and ethics in the workplace,
demonstrating to employers that you are the right person for the job.
ACCA students are required to achieve a set of objectives over a 3 year period
working in an accounting or finance – related role and record the completion of the
PER through the Trainee Development Matrix (TDM). There is no time limit to
complete the PER though it is necessary to complete it before applying for ACCA
membership. Aim to get your employer’s support to help you gain your PER; consider
work shadowing, secondment or an intership; and work closely with your workplace
mentor.
To meet the ACCA qualification PER you will need to complete all nine Essential
performance objectives and 4 Options.
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The ACCA
ACCA is the global body for professional accountants. We offer business-relevant,
first-choice qualifications to people of application, ability and ambition around the
world who seek a rewarding career in accountancy, finance and management.
ACCA'S MISSION IS TO:
provide opportunity and access to people of ability around the world and support our members throughout their careers in accounting, business and finance
achieve and promote the highest professional, ethical and governance standards
advance the public interest be a global leader in the profession ACCA'S CORE VALUES ARE: Opportunity: we provide opportunity, free from artificial barriers, to people
around the world - whether students, members or employees and we support them in their careers.
Diversity: we respect and value difference, embracing diversity in our people and in our output.
Innovation: we create new and unexpected possibilities, providing innovative solutions for the future.
Accountability: we accept individual and corporate responsibility for our actions, working together to deliver a quality service and to promote the best interests of our stakeholders.
Integrity: we act ethically and work in the public interest, treating people fairly and honestly; we encourage the same from others.
(source: ACCA website)
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The ACCA Work Experience Requirements
Gaining the relevant practice experience is a key component to the ACCA
qualification. In the demanding accounting and business professions it is essential to
link your theoretical knowledge from the examinations to practical applications in
the workplace.
The ACCA Practical Experience Requirements (PER) are closely linked to the exam
syllabus to further develop your skills in the workplace. The framework of the PER
enables you to achieve a high level of knowledge, ability and ethics in the workplace,
demonstrating to employers that you are the right person for the job.
ACCA students are required to achieve a set of objectives over a 3 year period
working in an accounting or finance – related role and record the completion of the
PER through the Trainee Development Matrix (TDM). There is no time limit to
complete the PER though it is necessary to complete it before applying for ACCA
membership.
Aim to get your employer’s support to help you gain your PER; consider work
shadowing, secondment or an intership; and work closely with your workplace
mentor.
To meet the ACCA qualification PER you will need to complete all nine Essential
performance objectives and 4 Options.
ESSENTIALS
Professionalism, ethics and governance
Demonstrate the application of professional ethics, values and judgement.
Contribute to the effective governance of an organization.
Raise awareness of non- financial risk.
Personal effectiveness
Manage self.
Communicate effectively.
Use information and communications technology
Business management
Manage on-going activities in your area of responsibility
Improve departmental performance.
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Manage an assignment.
OPTIONS
Financial accounting and reporting
Prepare financial statements for external purposes.
Interpret financial transactions and financial statements.
Performance measurement and management accounting
Prepare financial information for management.
Contribute to budget planning and production.
Monitor and control budgets.
Finance and financial management
Evaluate potential business/investment opportunities and the required finance
options.
Manage cash using activate cash management and treasury systems.
Audit and assurance
Prepare for and collect evidence for audit.
Evaluate and report on audit.
Taxation
Evaluate and compute taxes payable.
Assist with tax planning.
For more information on the PER visit the ACCA website at:
http://www.accaglobal.com/en/student/qualification-resources/acca-qualification/acca-
exams/Practical-experience.html
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About StudySmart®:
StudySmart® is a unique educational organization, operating in the educational,
professional training and publishing fields:
A1: StudySmart® Professional Training
StudySmart® has an established track record of offering a broad range of
professional services to demanding and diverse clients since 2005. Within that range
of services lies our continuous support to talented professionals and our commitment
to the rearing through StudySmart® of the next generation of leaders.
In the field of professional training, StudySmart® operates on an international level in
numerous European and Middle Eastern Countries.
A2: Professional training:
Over the past decade, employers on a global scale have shown a remarkable shift
towards professional qualifications, both in recruitment and in staff training. This is
where StudySmart® carries a serious competitive edge by being differentiated
offering an ever expanding spectrum of professional qualifications through its expert
pool of trainers, proven methodology, educational coaching and industry know -
how:
ACCA - Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (UK), CIMA – Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, (UK) CFA - Chartered Financial Analysts (USA) CIA - Certified Internal Auditor (USA) CISA - Certified Information Systems Auditor (USA) PMP - Project Management Professional (USA) DipIFR – Diploma in International Financial Reporting (UK)
StudySmart®, in line with its corporate social responsibility strategy, holds, at regular
intervals a variety of Open Days at various sites that are open to students, educators,
professionals and training officers alike, with the purpose of providing a wealth of
information over a number of issues, ranging from career management, continuing
professional development (CPD), effective CVs and interviewing skills and
professional qualifications to management basics.
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A1.2: Tailor Made, Industry Specific Seminars & Workshops
By being an expert organization in professional qualifications and services,
StudySmart® has access to a wealth of information and a strong pool of experts in
the majority of business industries on a global scale. This gives StudySmart® the
unique opportunity to develop and create ad hoc tailor made training workshops and
seminars as well as educational programmes in demanding industries such as:
> Leadership,
> Communications,
> Negotiation techniques,
> Train the trainer,
> Marketing,
> Accounting & Finance
> IFRSs
> Human Resources,
> Business Acumen,
> Business Planning and others.
The Language of instruction is Greek or English, however, it is possible to offer
various programmes in other local languages depending on our instructor availability
and specific instructor language capabilities.
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Important dates for the ACCA Qualification
January Annual Subscription fee is due
February Results from December examination sessions can be accessed on the ACCA
Exchange from approximately February 16th.
March March 8th is the deadline for early exam entry for the June session.
April April 8th is the deadline for standard exam entry for the June session.
May May 8th is the deadline for late exam entry for the June session. Students
receive their examination Attendance Docket with details of the subjects of papers
and the address of the examination centre.
June ACCA examinations.
August ACCA June examination results are accessible on the ACCA Exchange from
around August 20th.
September September 8th is the deadline for early exam entry for the December
session.
October October 8th is the deadline for standard exam entry for the December
session.
November November 8th is the deadline for late exam entry for the December
session. Students receive their examination Attendance Docket with details of the
subjects of papers and the address of the examination centre.
December ACCA examinations
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Formal Complaints Procedure
StudySmart® is committed to building strong relationships with our clients, which
includes following the Code of Conduct, regulating all of our business and training
activities. If you have any concerns about our operations, administration or quality of
service please write a letter to the PQ Lead, Dr. Constantine Kiritsis or an anonymous
statement on our Suggestion Forms located at the StudySmart® office or at the back
of the Student Handbook.
Formal complaints and suggestions should describe any concerns and state the
action or outcome desired. Trainees will receive an acknowledgement of receipt
within 3 working days, and a resolution to the nature of the feedback, where
necessary, within 21 working days.
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Student Feedback
In order to assist us in providing continued excellent service and education, clients
are encouraged to provide feedback on their training, either informally with any
member of our team, through our Student Evaluation form, or by filling in a
suggestion form located in the reception area of our training premises.
At the end of each course, trainees have the opportunity to express their opinions in
a satisfaction questionnaire, providing feedback on lectures, administration staff,
course materials, and facilities.
The completed evaluation questionnaires will be submitted to an independent staff
member and the identity of all trainees and their comments will be treated
confidentially.
Opinions and information obtained from the forms will be used in the development
of course procedures and course committee meetings.
Teaching staff is informed regularly by the StudySmart® Leader about:
Course evaluations
Trainee performance
Evaluation of lecturers
Trainee complaints
Examination rates (if applicable)
Course syllabus
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The StudySmart® Student Regulations and Code of Conduct
All students attending trainings must ensure that they bring their personal identification and will be required to
sign an attendance sheet at the start of the course.
StudySmart® will not be held responsible for loss of any personal items or damage caused in connection to the
personal items brought or left in any training room or in the premises where training is provided.
All students are required to adhere to any notices or instructions given to them by any member of StudySmart®
staff. In some cases, students will be given security passes to enter specific training areas only, such as training
rooms, toilet areas, and reception areas.
Smoking is not permitted on StudySmart® or training premises except in designated areas.
Training course participants are expected to exhibit professional behavior while attending lectures and seminars.
Any action that generally interferes with the quality of the tuition a class is receiving, which includes the use of
mobile telephones or other electronic devices, or any form of abusive verbal or written communication will be
reported to the Client contact and may result in the removal of the participants from the courses. Participants of
the ACCA preparation training courses are not permitted to record audio or video of training sessions. The use of
training material is for educational purposes only, and it cannot be nor any of its part reproduced, retransmitted,
sold, disseminated, published, or broadcasted by the participants. In severe cases, the participants breaching this
provision will be expelled from the training premises and not allowed to participate on the training course and all
course fees forfeited. Full training course attendance is required of all participants at ACCA preparation training
courses. Repeated failure to attend courses may result in the participant being removed from the courses and all
course fees forfeited.
The students of all firms attending training courses participants shall follow the EU competition laws. During
and/or in relation to the training courses the participants must not discuss any sensitive business practices,
exchange competitively sensitive information or engage in discussions that may lead to coordination of
competitive behavior and, in particular, must not share information about current or future pricing intention,
especially for tenders, or any element that might affect prices or pricing practices, including exchange of prices.
All students and tutors are bound to a restriction on discussion or teaching of any actual working policies, client
information or sensitive non- publicly available business information, such as information representing any part
of business secret.
ACCA Contact Details Education, ACCA Connect
2 Central Quay, 89 Hyde Park St., Glasgow Scotland G3
Tel: +44(0)141 582 2000- Fax:+44(0)141 582 2222
Website: www.accaglobal.com, Email: [email protected]
ACCA Regional Head: Andrea Stanciu
StudySmart® - Atrina Center Tower, 32 Kifissias Avenue, Marousis, Athens 15127
Tel: +306932600840 [email protected]
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Contact details of trainers:
Dr. Constantine Kiritsis – [email protected];
Dimitris Chadjiapostolou – [email protected];
Christos Ragkavas – [email protected];
Dr. Demetrios Kiritsis – [email protected];
Vasilis Damianos – [email protected];
Anreas Kyriakou – [email protected]
Colin Garvie [email protected]
Cancellation policy:
Our cancellation policy provides:
Full refund if notification is received at least 7 days prior to the start of class
No refund if notification is received six days (or fewer) prior to the start of class
Special circumstances will be considered, but please let us know as soon as possible if you must
cancel a course / paper.
Course changes:
StudySmart reserves the right to cancel / change course dates 48 hours prior to the start of a course.
All students will be notified by email from the course administrator
Attendance Policy:
You are strongly encouraged to attend classes in order to maximize your chances of passing a course.
Although attendance is not mandatory, it is highly recommended.
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Meet the trainers
StudySmart is proud to be working with loyal professionals, our highly valued associate partners, that honour their word and add value to our clients. Behind our success lies teamwork. This is why we have been working with the same professionals for a significant amount of years (over a decade with certain individuals) as we value this loyalty and trust. As Michael Jordon once said, “talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships”
Dr. Constantine “Dino” Kiritsis, P1 & P3 ACCA, P4 CIA, E1, E2, E3 CIMA
Constantine is the founder of StudySmart.gr®, and founder and president of the non- profit organization Teachers Without Borders. He is also International Curriculum Development Expert for PwC in Serbia, consultant & Professional Trainer for PwC in the CEE & the Middle East (ACCA, CIA, CIMA, Mini MBA). He has extensive experience in business start - ups, education and professional training & development by setting up the Greek Business Unit of Intercollege Globaltraining of the University of Nicosia in the late 1990’s (being responsible for the incorporation of professional qualifications in Greece and serving as the Executive Director - and shareholder until 2013), before setting up the professional qualifications unit and leading one of the first academies for PwC, in Greece. In essence he led the quality approvals by major associations successfully (ACCA APL, ICAEW, CIMA & ISO) receiving the highest standards on each occasion. Constantine has also done work with PwC’s Global Steering Committee for PCS and has developed the curriculum, methodology and mapping procedure for PwC’s Mini MBA programme being offered in the CEE region & the Middle East. He is the author of an educational guide offered in Greece since 2004 and has been an active speaker on entrepreneurship, innovation, educational, professional training and business development issues in over 100 events in the past decade. His knowledge areas span from general education to developing programmes, vocational education and training (VET), Professional qualifications (PQs) and teaching topics such as Corporate Strategy, Entrepreneurship, Business Planning, Marketing and HR (for the University of Surrey (UK), University of Strathclyde (UK), Henley Management School (currently University of Reading UK), University of Nicosia (CY) and PwC Academies in Europe. He also supervises Doctorates in Business (DBAs) for Nottingham Business School.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut (USA), a Masters and a Phd from the University of Surrey (UK), a Diploma in Corporate Governance from the ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), a Senior Certified Professional for the Society for Human Resource Management, USA (SHRM-SCP) is a Fellow RSA (UK), a Fellow of the Institute of Business Consultants UK, a Certified Associate Business Manager from APBM, USA. He has delivered over 7,500 hours of professional training in the last 15 years in more than 15 countries in Europe, Asia and the Middle East mainly to corporate clients. His profile is featured in the 2013 edition of “Who is Who” of Greece.
Colin Garvie, F5, F9, P5 ACCA
Coli is a qualified Chartered Accountant and has a degree in Economics. For more than 25 years, he has provided management consultancy, non-executive director services and general business advice to small and medium sized businesses throughout the UK via his
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own consultancy company, Square 1 Consultants. He also designs and delivers training courses to private and public sector organisations in the UK, US, Hong Kong and Europe. The non-executive directorship specific duties include 'sounding board' on strategic matters and acting in an FD capacity when required. Colin has also been retained by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland for the last 20 years to design and deliver commercial, financial, and non-financial training material for its business courses and to design/present training material for final year CA trainees. He is extensively involved in examination question setting and marking and providing syllabus input and advice at all levels within the CA qualification programme. For ACCA, Colin teaches many papers, specifically in the areas of performance measurement and financial management [papers F5, P5 and F9]. He currently teaches for StudySmart in Athens, PwC Academy in many Eastern European countries and BPP in the UK. Prior to running his own business from 1989 to the present, Colin was employed for 3 years by the UK's leading venture capitalist 3i. His role there included, inter alia, the identification, investigation, negotiation and completion of a number of new investments in both start-up and existing companies in Scotland. In addition, he was responsible for monitoring the performance of a portfolio of investments consisting of a mixture of equity and loans and negotiating further investment into companies on the existing portfolio. When not working, Colin enjoys family time with his wife Sandra, their three boys [two actually grown up now!] and the family campervan! Other activities include golf, where his handicap is exactly that and watching the latest Scottish football debacle whether it be club or country. He is a fanatical film devotee and is a founding member of the local community cinema. Dr. Demetrios Kiritsis, F1, P1 ACCA,
Demetrios (Jimmy), is a graduate from the American Community Schools in Athens (1984), and the American College of Greece (1989) where he received his Bachelor's degree in English Literature and Communications. In 1990 he completed his Master's from King's College London (University of London) and his Ph.D. from the University of Loughborough UK in PE and Sport Management (1995). He is also a licensed soccer coach by the English Football Federation (Preliminary/Preparatory Certificate 1993), and a member of the Association of Professionals in Business Management (CABM-APBM) since 2006. He has taught sport management topics at the University of Loughborough, Business Management, Communications and Marketing topics at the University of Indianapolis Athens, Business Analysis, Strategy, Leadership, HR and special topics in Information Systems at Globaltraining in Greece and Russia (Ernst & Young) for the ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants), and Business Management at PwC Academy by (ACCA, Mini MBA). Demetris has organised successfully 4 quality inspections/reviews from professional associations (ICAEW, ACCA) from 2003 to 2010 with the specific certification awarded.
He is a partner at Studysmart, having co-authored StudySmart's 'Educational Guide' since 2005. He also worked as the Director of Graduate development, Director of Advising & Sports from 1996-1999 at the University of Indianapolis Athens Campus. From 1999 to 2008 Demetrios was assigned to the post as Deputy Executive Director at Globaltraining where, along with Dr. Constantine Kiritsis, introduced Professional Qualifications (ACCA, CFA, CIA,
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DipIFR) in Greece. For close to three years he was the Director of Business Development & Studies Coordinator at PwC (2008-2010). Dr. Kiritsis is considered a 'guru' in operational and organisational matters, a charismatic speaker and educational consultant. The areas of specialty where he is mainly involved and interested in are in the fields of Management, Communications, Marketing, Public Relations, and effective presentations.
Music (DJ from 1983) and soccer are considered his main hobbies (and passions) during his free time. He is married to Jenny and has one son, Bill. In December 2010 he was elected President of the American Community Schools Athens Alumni Association.
Markos Daskalakis, F8 ACCA, P3 CIA Markos is a Chartered Accountant (ACA – ICAEW) with over 3,200 hours of training experience on Professional Qualifications (CIA, CISA, ACCA, DipIFR, etc) as well as general issues on Internal Auditing, Accounting/Book keeping, Finance, Fraud Investigations, Advanced Computing, Communications and Banking Operations. He bears over a decade of professional experience in Internal Auditing, and Retail Banking Operations. His career include key positions in Delotte. , Eurobank EFG and the NBG Group, while his scope included UK, Serbia, Bulgaria, Romania, Poland, Ukraine, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. Currently, he is the Head of Control & Data Services for the Royal Bank of Scotland plc where he manages 7% of local personnel across 5 bank functions and is a member of the Management Committees. Furthermore, Markos is a Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) as well as a Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) since 2003. He is a member of the Technical Chamber of Greece since 1998 and he is a holder of a public Engineering Construction License issued by the Hellenic Ministry of Public Works. Markos is UK-educated, a holder of a Master of Engineering Degree in Civil & Environmental Engineering from the Imperial College of Science, Technology & Medicine (London). Dimitris Chatjiapostolou, F2, F3, F5, F8, F9 ACCA, IASs /IFRSs Dimitris is an international business finance professional working as a business advisor as well as a tutor for Studysmart's professional qualifications programmes in Europe and the Middle East. Dimitris mainly teaches accounting & finance and audit related papers. He is a chartered certified accountant (FCCA) having been employed by blue chip multinational organizations, while having accumulated a 15 year international business finance experience, out of his 6 year employment in the Big 4 audit firm environment (Arthur Andersen, Coopers & Lybrand, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Deloitte) and 9 years as a CFO stationed in Europe and South East Asia. Chris Ragkavas, F3, F7, P5, P7, DipIFR, IASs /IFRSs Chris Ragkavas’ highest level obtained academic diploma is a bilingual (English/German) Master of Arts in Management awarded by Bournemouth University in the UK. He is a Chartered Accountant (ACCA). Mr. Ragkavas has held since the beginning of his career 14 years ago, various managerial positions in multinational firms. In the Netherlands he has
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been part of the management team of Aiwa Europe Ltd. which is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation. His duties involved market development, price point analysis, segment evaluation. He then moved to the Head Office of Trust International Ltd, where he worked for 4.5 years as Business Controller, reporting directly to the CFO of the group. He was responsible for the Head office in the Netherlands, Trust U.K, Trust France and Trust Spain. His area of responsibility involved Internal Audit (financial risk and business risk audit), auditing and consolidating Financial Statements and rendering of training to the local heads of accounting. Upon his return in Greece in 2006, he took over the complete Finance function at one of the top real estate and chartered surveying agencies worldwide, namely Cushman and Wakefiled S.A. He supervised the accounts department, set up the statutory and management accounts, participated in BOD meetings and reported to the firm’s CEO in Athens and the Finance Director Europe in the UK. 3 years later he joined a shipping investment fund where he worked as an Internal Audit Supervisor, for a limited period. At the same time he started the provision of training services, in cooperation with StudySmart. He provides training in the field of International Standards of Auditing, IFRS and Management Consulting. Mr. Ragkavas combines effectively solid professional and academic knowledge, with great experience gained in the field. He conceptualizes the main areas of the papers he teaches and very often presents them in the class as part of a case study based on his 14 year experience. This is appreciated very much by students, as it helps them visualize the core elements of each paper and make them easier to study. He has provided ACCA trainings in Greece, Eastern Europe and the University of Shanghai. He also provides on a part time basis financial consulting services. Mr. Ragkavas invests constantly in self development and never seizes to study new material in order to improve his academic and professional skills. His favorite quote is “To live is to learn”.
Andreas Kyriakou, F7, P2, P4, DipIFR, IASs /IFRSs
Andreas is a true expert in IASs IFRSs having taught in a number of European and Middle Eastern countries for Ernst & Young, PwC Academy and StudySmart. His practical experience spans from Banking, Accounting, Finance, to Internal Audit and overall Business & Management topics. He has studied in the USA and is a Fellow ACCA since 2001, a Member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Cyprus and also a Level 3 CFA (Chartered Financial Analyst) candidate. He has taught in numerous corporate, professional and Academic environments, has been instrumental in drafting an IFRS manual in 2009 – 2010 used by PwC in Greece. He works in the Banking industry for the past 10 years.
Robert (Bob) Souster, P1, F4 Robert (Bob) Souster is a Partner in Spruce Lodge Training, a consultancy firm based in Northampton, England. He is the examiner for F1 and two F4 variant papers, and lectures on economics, corporate and business law, management, corporate governance and ethics.
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Bob’s previous career was in banking, having served as a divisional manager for EBS, then Ireland’s second largest mutual financial institution (and now part of AIB Group) in Dublin. Bob is the examiner for Money Laundering for the Chartered Institute of Bankers in Scotland. He was previously an examiner for the Institute of Financial Services and the Institute of Bankers in Ireland. He has been a lecturer for London Metropolitan University in marketing, law and economics and has also worked with the College of Commerce, Dublin, Sheffield Hallam University and Jiao Tong University and SUFE in Shanghai. He is the module director for ‘Professionalism, Regulation and Ethics’ for the Chartered Banker MBA offered by the University of Bangor, Wales. He has run courses in Azerbaijan, China, Czech Republic, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Ireland, Malaysia, Malta, Poland, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Syria and Ukraine. Bob has written several textbooks, including ‘Money Laundering’ and ‘Professionalism and Ethics’, published by the Chartered Institute of Bankers in Scotland and various books for mortgage compliance examinations offered by the Chartered Insurance Institute. Bob served as an unpaid non-executive director for 15 years of the trading company of a sports charity for disabled persons in Northampton. Vassilis Damianos – F2, F3, IASs / IFRSs
Vasilis has worked in the areas of Finance and Audit for 12 years and has been member of ACCA since 2004. He has worked for PwC for 7 years in the Business Consulting Services where he participated or headed multiple projects for clients in various industries. These projects, that were held both in Greece and abroad, mainly dealt with the development of strategic/business plans, the design of business & accounting procedures and internal controls, due diligence studies for potential M&As especially for the banking sector, the redesign of organizational structures etc.
In 2007, he moved to the National Bank of Greece as a management consultant in the Finance Division, where he led the implementation of the Sarbanes Oxley (SOX 404) framework for the IFRS Reporting and the Deposits Cycle for the bank as well as its subsidiaries in Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria and Serbia.
Currently, he is the CFO of Travelplanet24, an Online Travel Agency (OTA) with presence (web sites) in Greece and 12 countries in the area of Central and SE Europe. Being a member of top management, Vassilis has played a vital role in the development and implementation of the company’s strategy that has lead to its rapid expansion and growth in the last 2 years.
Vassilis has been teaching F2 and F3 for 3 years, being very successful (according to students’ reviews) as he manages to combine the theory of accounting (F3) and business (F2) with his own practical experience in those areas, using real-life examples, business problems and case studies to demonstrate and explain the applicability of theory. Also, he is very close to students using his own personal experiences from being an ACCA student.
George Pelekanakis, CIA P1, P2, P3
www.studysmart.gr
www.studysmart.gr / www.certifications.gr [22]
George has more than 17 years of professional experience spent in multinational auditing firms and since 2003 exclusively in Pelekanakis Professional Services. During his career so far, he has rendered internal audit services to numerous organizations in Greece, EMEA and Asia and has helped many organizations to develop or upgrade their internal audit functions. At the same time he is serving as a member of Audit Committees in listed and private organizations. In the business training area he has provided training to more than 2700 internal auditors and business professionals all over the globe. He is associated with PWC Academy offices for CIA serving offerings. In the academic area he has been a part-time lecturer for the University of Nicosia and he is currently teaching in the fields of Auditing and Internal Auditing for the American College of Greece . Back in November 1999 he became the first Greek to obtain the CIA certification and later on CISA, CFE, CCSA and CRP designations followed. Between December 2008 and January 2011 he served as the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Hellenic Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.
www.studysmart.gr
www.studysmart.gr / www.certifications.gr [23]
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