THE SOCIETY OF ACCOUNTANTS' FUTURE EXAMINATIONS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 14250, 22 December 1909, Page 5

THE SOCIETY OF ACCOUNTANTS' FUTURE EXAMINATIONS.

Sir,—lt lias been reported that the council of the Accountants' Society have decided that they will not permit candidates ;to • secure partial passes at their examinations. Entrants will be required to pass the whole 5 of the seven papers at one sitting. The present percentage is 75 per cent, for fellows, and 65 per cent, for associates; and as both these gradings are to be abolished in .the future a new percentage will £. bo ; fixed. 11 ■! Surely this will not be 75! Whilst admitting the essential desirability .of 'a • high „ standard, I would respectfully t point out that probably no other profession in the world requires so much' from candidates.- Most . University degrees can he obtained with 50 |S per oent. of marks, and the work can bo taken in sections spread over a number of years. The legal examinations only require a 50 per cent, pass, and the' examination can be taken in sections. The 'Standard,' of. , 4 the old examinations has been always very high, both as regards the questions set and the percentage of marks required, and the new society will be doing the right thing in maintaining such a standard. But it is almost an impossibility to expect the best of candidates to pass seven stiff papers iti'Mt one sitting, with a percentage of either 75 per cent, or 65 per cent. : Partials should • § undoubtedly be granted, or the examinations divided into, sections ,as suggested. ,< As ,1' ' understand all matters decided upon by the council must be submitted to the members in general meeting for approval; before 1 actually taking effect, I sinoeroly, hop© that all members will give " this matter s their ' closest attention, and lose no time in making their views known, and bringing them before the meeting when held, as I am con-"' vinced it will do the society no good to attempt a " blocking " policy with regard to future examinations.

; ti ' , W. Robertson. Auckland, December 20. '