The Vietnam Association of Certified Public Accountants (VACPA) has undertaken significant innovations in its training activities, ranging from continuing professional education (CPE) and exam preparation for accounting and auditing certifications to practical and specialized training programs. By leveraging technology, expanding teaching methods, diversifying course content, enhancing instructor quality, and increasing the number of training sessions, VACPA continuously improves its training quality to better meet the needs of a growing number of learners. Moving forward, VACPA will continue integrating technology into teaching and focus on specialized courses and enriching training content.
Continuous Innovation to Meet the Increasing Demands of the Market and International Integration
Over its 20 years of establishment and development, VACPA has played a crucial role in improving the quality of Vietnam's accounting and auditing workforce. In recent years, particularly under the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, rapid technological advancements, and the digital transformation trend, VACPA has consistently innovated and updated its training activities to meet the growing demands of the market and global integration.
Innovation and Improvement in Training and Knowledge Updates
In recent years, VACPA has made efforts to innovate and improve training programs, specifically:
- Expanding Training Formats: VACPA has successfully pioneered online training to adapt to the new circumstances brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, making it easier for learners to participate. Additionally, VACPA has updated and refined the processes for organizing and monitoring online classes to fully comply with the regulations and requirements of the Ministry of Finance.
- Diversifying Training Content: In addition to mandatory topics, VACPA has enhanced topics aimed at improving audit quality, including content on disseminating errors detected through quality control, noting risks and errors in audit reports and financial statements, as well as in the process of gathering audit evidence. At the same time, VACPA regularly updates the latest regulations and documents, designing topics that align with real-world conditions and learners' needs, such as International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), internal auditing, soft skills, valuation, and digital technology.
- Expanding Scale, Flexible Class Scheduling: The total number of technical classes organized in recent years has significantly increased compared to the period before 2019. Class scheduling has become more flexible, not only concentrated in peak seasons but evenly distributed throughout the year, allowing learners to timely update new content and easily arrange their participation.
- Application of Information Technology: VACPA has implemented a website and invested in developing new member management software to enhance features, thereby creating a more professional experience for learners in terms of course registration and tracking hours. Furthermore, VACPA has utilized modern online learning tools, such as the Zoom platform, to enhance interaction between instructors and learners.
- Expanding a Quality Instructor Team: In addition to maintaining a traditional, reputable team of instructors for technical classes, VACPA has connected with and expanded a team of instructors with deep expertise and good skills to ensure the quality of technical training activities.
Investment in Expanding and Improving Exam Preparation Activities for KTV and Accountant Certification
To meet the increasing demand for both the quantity and quality of the market for KTV and accountant certification exams, VACPA has focused on training activities for exam preparation. At the same time, VACPA has invested in expanding and improving these activities to adapt to new circumstances due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Expanding Training Formats and Locations: VACPA has successfully pioneered online exam preparation and expanded training locations to cities such as Nha Trang and Can Tho, facilitating easier access for learners.
- Adding Exam Preparation Classes to Meet Actual Needs: Additional exam preparation classes have been introduced, including comprehensive review classes and classes for solving exam questions, as well as guidance for individuals with international certifications seeking to convert to Vietnamese KTV certification, in response to actual learner needs.
- Enhancing Interaction and Support for Learners: More investment has been made in communication and promotion activities, with new interactive channels such as Facebook and Zalo created to attract and support learners. Additionally, VACPA has collaborated with instructors to compile a set of copyrighted exam preparation materials, which are provided free of charge to learners. Furthermore, VACPA emphasizes the importance of conducting regular surveys to gather learner feedback to enhance the quality of teaching and training organization.
Expanding and Diversifying Practical and Custom Training Programs
VACPA has gradually expanded and diversified its practical training and other customized programs:
- Practical Training for Students: Strengthened collaboration with universities to integrate audit practices into curriculum as subjects or credits, enhancing practical skills for accounting and auditing students. This also aids career orientation and attracts quality talent for the industry.
- Organizational Member Training: VACPA supports tailored audit training programs to meet the specific needs of organizational members, including standards compliance and client types, which some organizations have included in their annual plans.
- Government Employee Training: VACPA organizes thematic training for public sector officials to improve their understanding of accounting and auditing and strengthen financial oversight skills.
Key Focus Areas for the Future
In the future, VACPA will continue to advance technology integration, improve quality, and diversify training activities. Specifically:
1. Specialized Training and Content Diversification: VACPA plans to collaborate with universities and international professional organizations to offer advanced training courses, including on green auditing, technology auditing, and digital transformation, along with soft skills development.
2. Technology Integration in Training: VACPA will enhance online courses and interactive platforms to support flexible learning and improve engagement.
Through these innovations, VACPA will continue contributing to the development of Vietnam's accounting and auditing workforce.
