The Balancing Act course end test

What is the Balancing Act course end test?

As part of the Balancing Act course, we provide an end-of-course test. Some firms get their new students to complete this over the first week to 10 days, on a full-time self-study basis, during working hours. Others treat it as part of a three months probationary period, with studies being in the student’s own time. For some, this is prior to commencing formal studies, for others, it is alongside starting their formal studies.

They all set a minimum requirement for the marks to be achieved with the Balancing Act course end test. Their response to the marks achieved varies. Although for some, achievement of the minimum mark is a pre-requisite for continuing on their course or starting it, historically they have tended to give their students a second chance. Interestingly, many of those provided a second chance don’t improve their marks by much and there is mutual agreement that accountancy “is not for them”. Better to leave early and pursue an alternative career more suited to their skills and for which they have a clearer aptitude.

What is the outcome of performance? Is there a penalty for non-achievement and/or a reward for success? Is there a stick or a carrot, or both? Is someone more motivated by the fear of failure or the hope of success? Is one more likely to achieve and perform well because of the former or the latter?

Visualisation is a hugely important learning tool.

If the focus is on the stick and on failure, then the probability is that one will visualise that failure. Even if one wants to avoid that failure, visualising it will mean the focus is on failure and the ingredients of that failure. Is our goal to fail? No. It is to succeed. Should we not, therefore, focus on success?

Where I live, on the edge of Dartmoor, there are a lot of narrow bridges, built of granite, which a car can only narrowly squeeze through. I know from bitter experience that if I look at the granite walls on either side of the bridge, I will subconsciously drive closer to them and scratch the car. Granite is tougher than the wings on my car. What I now do is focus straight ahead. I know the killer walls are still there but I look directly along the road, over the bridge. By focussing on the path I need to follow, I follow it. I do not stray from that path and bounce along the wall.

When training for a particular sport, one needs to focus on what it takes to succeed. Develop those traits that other successful sportsmen and sportswomen have adopted. Develop and expand those skills and good habits so that there is no room for the bad habits to continue. Focus more on what to do and less on what not to do; subject to basic health and safety requirements of the course.

The purpose of the Balancing Act course end test is to identify if students have the aptitude for accountancy and the attitude for focussed studies and personal development. Although I personally feel that completing the Balancing Act course in the first week is the most effective use of it to get new recruits up and running and chargeable, testing that aptitude very early on; allowing students 3 months to complete it in their own time does test attitude. Were they bothered enough to crack on with it and complete it ahead of schedule, or have they simply not made the time to work through the material in their own time – revealing a poor attitude to the development of their planned career in accountancy?

Assuming that the marks achieved and timely completion mean that the student will pass their probation and continue working with you, what those marks are will indicate what further training and support is necessary to fully bring them up to speed. The marks are not there to beat them with but to provide guidance on how and where to improve. A carrot not a stick.

If the marks indicate that the student should be “let go”, the outcome is advice and guidance on what alternative career options there are and how to pursue them. What you want is that in a year’s time the student says “I am so glad that we realised that accountancy was not for me and I was given the opportunity to find an alternative career route that really suited me and in which I can succeed.” A carrot, not a stick.