Your role as a practical experience supervisor is central to a trainee completing their PER and achieving ACCA membership. You will be asked to approve their time claims, performance objectives or both.
The first thing to do is visit the dedicated pages on our website for PER supervisors, where there is guidance, factsheets, as well as a webinar made specifically for practical experience supervisors. This webinar clearly explains and demonstrates the role of a PER supervisor and how to register and approve items for their trainees. You will have access to the online recording tool, My Experience. My Experience is a secure, easy-to-use tool which allows you to review your trainee’s achievements and record the outcome, giving you everything you need to support your trainee.
We find that supervisors also benefit from their role in many ways, including skills development in areas such as communication and time management, which, when applied to your role, can increase your effectiveness and the value you are able to bring to your team and organisation. Many supervisors also report that they have learnt a lot through supporting an ACCA trainee and find it personally meaningful. The role may contribute to the continuing professional development (CPD) requirements of your own professional body as well.
You should provide guidance and support to your trainee by:
helping identify which performance objectives they should aim to achieve
setting timescales and targets for performance
providing access to appropriate work experience and other development opportunities
evaluating and reviewing your trainee's progress on a regular basis
signing off your trainee's PER in My Experience
If you have confirmed that you hold an IFAC qualification, you must upload documentary evidence to support this when you register. You will not be able to approve anything for your trainee without this being provided.
Evidence can be a letter of good standing from your IFAC body, a membership certificate, or a receipt confirming payment of annual subscription fees.
If your awarding body is not listed, you can provide the name of the body in the corresponding box before uploading your supporting document.
If you are only nominated to approve time claims, no supporting document is required.
You can find out more information on the role of a PER supervisor on ACCA Global