We get a huge amount of satisfaction from seeing our accounting students succeed and progress in their careers because of their accounting training.
Our goal is that The Balancing Act will provide such effective learning that accountancy students see it as the springboard for their career and employers see it as an indispensable part of their accounting training and accountancy induction process.
How did The Balancing Act Bookkeeping Course come about?
Simon Deane (BA FCA) qualified in 1981, but he remembers back in the 1970’s, the ICAEW using an accounting training and induction course called “Mann of Moorgate”. It was effective and great value for members. However, it was very paper based, so it was subsequently dropped and forgotten…. but not by him!
Good ideas often remain as good ideas for a long time (and double entry has been around since 1496), so about 10 years ago, Simon and Prue Deane decided to write their own version, mixing traditional paper-based activities with on-line interactive accountancy learning (accessible on PCs, tablets and mobiles). A few years ago, they completely updated the hard copy workbook and online accountancy learning materials and with recent developments in printing, they can now deliver the workbook within two working days with on-line access available on the same (working) day.
The Balancing Act has been used for accounting training by Accountancy Learning’s client base for many years as an integral part of their accountancy induction training for new staff.
Who is Accountancy Learning?
Accountancy Learning is a multi-award winning AAT Training Provider which was formed by Simon and Prue Deane on 1 January 2012
– yes, we were working on New Year’s Day! Starting out with a small team, we have now grown to over 30 members of staff, including many highly experienced, well qualified tutors to provide our accounting training. (Prior to Accountancy Learning, Simon and Prue created and ran AccountancyPlus Training (A+ Training) which was formed in 1992.)
Accountancy Learning specialises solely on Accounting training and Bookkeeping training via Distance Learning and via Apprenticeships, on-site and remote (AAT levels 2, 3 and 4, as well as ACA level 7). Over the years, Accountancy Learning has been awarded and recognised by numerous governing bodies:
2021: Ofsted Inspection – graded as a ‘Good’ Provider
2019: AAT Distance Learning Training Provider of the Year Award
2018: AAT Champion Award for the training provider who demonstrates excellence in all areas in delivering AAT qualifications
2017: AAT Champion Award for the training provider who demonstrates excellence in all areas in delivering AAT qualifications
2008: A+ Training was the first provider in the country to achieve certification in the Training Quality Standard with Excellence in Accounting
2003: A+ Training was awarded recognition by the Learning and Skills council as a COVE in Accountancy (Centre of Vocational Excellence)
About Simon Deane (BA FCA)
Simon trained with Thomson McLintock, in Bristol, qualifying in 1981, after which he joined the training consortium SWAT, subsequently becoming their Director of Training. He lead an MBO of their AAT business in 2001 and subsequently established A+ Training as the largest provider of AAT training in the South West. He was a Training Consultant with the Institute until August 2006 and has been involved on numerous ICAEW working parties on Education and Training issues over the years and is a past chairman of the Group Training Scheme Forum. He was President of SWSCA (now ICAEW SW) in 2006/07 and is still active on the Committee.
Simon has been acting for some of his clients since 1984. He is therefore very grounded in the practical requirements of accounting training.
About Prue Deane (BA MSc Cert Ed FMAAT)
Prue has been involved in FE training for the past 20 years. Working on the DfES Standards Unit differentiation and e-learning projects, she subsequently led on a number of in-house e-learning and course development projects.
Qualifications:
Certificate in Education (2003)
Postgraduate Certificate in Subject Learning Coaching (April 2006))
Masters in Educational Research (September 2006))
MAAT (2007)
Prue has been responsible for developing our AAT Level 2 Accountancy course materials, based on a series of practical accounting activities, interactive presentations and supporting resources and continues to maintain these. Her blend of artistic talent, educational qualifications, teaching experience and accountancy qualifications are reflected in the materials used in The Balancing Act.