Juggling the balance between work and study can be challenging, particularly for candidates undertaking the Chartered Accountants Program. Employers can play a significant role in helping their staff successfully complete the Program by following eight key strategies:

1. Reinforce the benefits of the Program

Regular internal reminders about the importance of the Program are a useful way to help candidates keep their study commitments front of mind. When candidates are reminded about the benefits of qualifying, they are more likely to stay engaged and focused on their studies.

2. Provide extra training to boost time management skills

Providing training to candidates in time management skills is a useful way to help them manage the competing demands of work, family and study. According to Rob Briner, head of the school of management and organisational psychology at Birkbeck College in London, candidates canboost their grades by studying ‘little and often’ and avoid cramming.

He recommends intense periods of study where candidates set aside blocks of time such as 15 minutes every day to at least think about the program, start planning an assignment or do some reading. Fred Orr, author of How to succeed at part-time study, suggests that candidates may also benefit from training and dealing with procrastination and delegating work.

3. Help candidates beat stress

Less experienced candidates can get quickly overwhelmed with the challenge of a demanding client workload and part-time study. So to avoid burn out, encourage employees to exercise regularly or take advantage of in-house well being programs.

4. Monitor candidate workload

Although it can be difficult during peak periods, it’s important to keep an eye on the workload level facing candidates who are undertaking the Program. Consider bringing in additional resources during exam periods to reduce pressure on your team.

5. Provide candidates with more flexibility

Explore if there is any scope to provide candidates with more flexibility in their work schedules. Can they leave work earlier or start later on certain days in order to fit in extra study?

6. Encourage study groups

Encourage candidates to set up in-house study groups so that they have easy access to peer support.

7. Encourage candidates to take leave

It’s important that candidates take advantage of any study leave opportunities so that they can adequately prepare for their exams. Encouraging them to also take regular holidays between semesters is also a powerful way to keep them energised through the study year.

8. Acknowledge high performers

Acknowledging those candidates who perform strongly in the Program is a good way to encourage others to stay committed to their study plans and career goals.