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@kimsmith
Hi Kim, I hope you don’t mind me asking but how do you become a marker? Do you apply through the ACCA? Do you need any additional qualifications or specialist training? It is something I would be interested in doing once I have completed all my exams. (I have three papers left to take.)
Many thanks
CatherineHi Cathy
Here is an indication of requirements I found on CIMA’s website https://www.cimaglobal.com/Teaching/become-an-exam-marker
ACCA and ICAEW will post advertisements through their “work with us” channels or educational media as and when they see a need for new markers. You don’t need additional qualifications but you do need some relevant experience because there are so many potential markers available that the professional bodies can recruit from those with experience and not train markers “from scratch”. Depending on the body and the exam, the recruitment process might involve having to mark a sample script – and all bodies give training in how to use their online marking systems.
As you will no doubt appreciate, the move to MCQs/OTs/OT cases in the knowledge and applied skills exams means that fewer markers are needed as “expert marking” is required only for the constructed response questions. That said, some expert markers who will have marked for many years will have taken the opportunity of the move to online marking to choose to no longer mark. But I would say that at this time, as there are many excellent freelance tutors etc who do not enough tuition work because so much classroom teaching has been forced to move to recorded online, there is more supply than demand for new markers.
It is, however, a very interesting area in which to work and a lot can change in a short space of time. When you are qualified do get in touch with me again through the AAA tutor forum and I would be very happy to give you some pointers.
As an aside, I would say that as an examiner, the most important criteria to me in selecting markers was that they should show some specific “passion” or interest for audit – so I would always give preference to a candidate who was applying solely to mark advanced auditing rather than someone who indicated that they were prepared to mark anything.
Hi Kim,
Thank you so much for your reply, advice and pointers. I am a little way off from qualifying, but will get in touch nearer the time as it sounds interesting.
Best wishes and stay safe,
CathyHi Kim,
Hope you are doing well, I’m one of your old student from Audit. I have recently applied to become an ACCA marker specifically for Audit papers. Having been in the profession for past 5 years working with couple of Big 6’s and myself being an ACCA members for over 2 years now, I think I stand a good chance to get selected for the role.
I just wanted to know few things, as you must be aware about them, is role of a marker full time job.? or are they paid on the basis of copies you check or hourly etc.! And do a marker get a complete answer sheet of a candidate or probably a question for a number of candidates (to keep integrity and objectivity intact). How challenging can this be with my current job of an Audit Assistant Manager.
Any other information you would like to enlighten me with regarding this role.?
Thanks in advance.
Yash BahlHello Yash! How lovely to see you here again!
To answer your questions?
Is role of a marker full time job? – NO, timings revolve around the 4 exam sessions – so scripts are available shortly after the exam has been sat (first Monday in the months of Mar, Jun, Sep and Dec).
Or are they paid on the basis of copies you check or hourly etc? – It is “piecemeal work” – i.e. paid on volume.
And do a marker get a complete answer sheet of a candidate or probably a question for a number of candidates (to keep integrity and objectivity intact)? – Last time I was talking to someone marking AA it was marking by question. Scripts are delivered electronically and entirely anonymously.
How challenging can this be with my current job of an Audit Assistant Manager? There are many markers who mark evenings/weekends around other jobs – but when you are marking you have to be able to prioritise the marking – there is unlikely to be a second chance if you miss deadlines.
Any other information you would like to enlighten me with regarding this role? I was only examiner for ACCA and that was long before CBE and the current methods of online marking. I do, however, mark for other professional bodies. You should be aware that there will be a lot of upfront “admin” and some sort of “study school” at the beginning of each session (most likely online and involving sample scripts) – you won’t be able to mark at a session if you can’t attend the training for any reason (as this is essential to “standardisation”). I think a marking contract is for each session – you don’t have to be able to mark every session – for example, I mark an exam only once a year.
Good luck!
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