Frequently Asked Questions

About Accreditation

Q: What are the benefits associated with this accreditation qualification?
A: This qualification is an independent and external validation of competence which can be used to show a benchmark for service and individual standards. It will promote a consistency of advice across all types of employers. It will indicate quality and minimum standard which will be of benefit to all who come into contact with a service including accredited advisers, potential employees, service users, managers, advice agencies and funders. This external benchmarking and validation of staff expertise will enhance public confidence and can in turn be used to attract a high calibre and motivated workforce and win and retain contracts and differentiation from competitors when tendering. Accreditation will help to provide a common language and standards of quality within partnerships.
Q: What are the benefits of accreditation for individuals in Money Advice?
A: The IMA sees this qualification as the recognition of Money Advice as a skilled profession. It will assist graduates' professional development and career structure. The IMA Accreditation Qualification will provide independent and external evidence of your key skills. This qualification allows individuals to take a pro-active role in their own professional development. It can be used to open up a wider range of career possibilities, to demonstrate expertise to current employers or to help transfer competence to other jobs or work contexts. In addition it will give graduates confidence they are knowledgeable, working to best practice standards, help them present a professional image and speak with authority.
Q: What are the benefits of accreditation for advice agencies?
A: It is hoped that employers will support their employees to achieve the qualification and even contribute to the cost. By demonstrating their commitment to supporting the development and empowerment of workers, they will in return receive assurance that their staff have good level of competence, skill and knowledge in order to carry out their role successfully. It will also assist in establishing a framework for performance management and help to establish assessment and appraisal as an integral part of work. Inevitably, it will help to improve performance. The quality assurance associated with an accredited workforce will help to gain and retain contracts and funding.
Q: What will change when I pass the qualification?
A:
  • You will become an Accredited full member of the IMA
  • Associates can use the initials AIMA (Cert) with their title
  • Affiliate Members can use the initials AIMA (Cert) with their title
Q: I am thinking about applying to be a DRO Intermediary, will this qualification have any impact on this?
A:
  • Yes. The IMA currently has the most robust system for approving DRO Intermediaries to ensure that only skilled Money Advisers are approved. Part three of our application process involves:
    • Applicants providing a selection of file references to show that they have a good range of Money Advice experience
    • A quality assurance file review is undertaken on a randomly selected file
Accredited members will no longer need to complete this part of the DRO Intermediary application

About the Qualification

Q: What is the qualification?
A: The full title of the qualification is ‘Certificate of Credit in Money Advice Practice’. You will generally see it referred to as Certificate in Money Advice Practice.
Q: What level is the qualification?
A: Successful completion of the qualification is worth 15 Higher Education credits. It is set at level 4, or first year degree level. The difficulty level will be similar to NVQ Level 4 but this qualification is different structure to NVQs as it is designed as a learning as well as an assessment vehicle. The qualification is pitched at ‘caseworker’ level, in other words it has been designed to reflect the standard expected of caseworkers.
Q: Will I need any text books?
A: The CPAG Debt Advice Handbook supports the module
Q: Where can I buy this?
A: Most advice agencies retain an up to date copy of this for reference. However, if you choose to purchase one – it is available for around £20 from www.cpag.org.uk
Q: What will I study?
A: The syllabus covers six areas of study:
  • Section 1
    Managing Legal Advice Cases: Including establishing, progressing and closing case files within quality and organisational requirements.
  • Section 2
    Preparing for Representation: Researching relevant information; preparing cases and clients for both formal and informal proceedings.
  • Section 3
    Representing Clients: Presenting the case in a structured way with appropriate and effective arguments for formal and informal proceedings.
  • Section 4
    Managing a Personal Caseload: Recording and maintaining case notes; reviewing and establishing priorities for dealing with a personal caseload.
  • Section 5
    Social Policy: The influence that advisers can have on legislation, policy and practice at national or local levels and the impact that these changes can have for clients.
  • Section 6
    Money and Debt Legal Advice and Casework: Including relevant legislation and case law; the identification of debt emergencies; the establishment of a full financial statement; the prioritisation of debt; the identification of debt strategies; the identification of liability and an understanding of different kinds of debt.
Q: How long will the qualification take?
A: The qualification is designed and structured so that all of the teaching and learning will take place over a fixed 12 week period.
Q: How much time would I need to spend doing the qualification?
A: The qualification is officially designed to take no more than 150 hours of study. However, this total study time does not take into account existing experience and knowledge so inevitably the time will be reduced according to the expertise / proficiency of the student.

About Studying and Being Assessed

Q: How will I study?
A: This award is exclusively delivered through Staffordshire University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) so you can study online wherever you have access to the internet.
Q: How will I be assessed?
A: Each of the six sections will comprise of a set of teaching materials and a formative assessment. The formative assessments at the end of each section are designed to aid the learning process but will not count towards the final assessment. The final assessment will be an online exam where 70% is required for a pass.
Q: When is the exam?
A: The exam will take place during the last weekend of the course.
The exam lasts 2 hours 20 minutes. You will be informed of the date and time of the exam at the beginning of the course.
Q: How will I take the exam?
A: The exam is done by electronically like the rest of the module.
Q: How will I get my results?
A: Following the exam, Staffordshire University will issue students with feedback, grades and if successful details of award presentation procedures.
Q: When will I get the results?
A: Results will be provided to each student approximately 4 weeks after taking the exam.

About the Cost

Q: How much will the qualification cost?
A: The cost is currently £300

However we expect that you might get some help towards this cost
  • From your employers or third parties
  • By making a request to the IMA Bursary Fund
Q: How do I apply for a bursary?
A: If you need help to pay for the qualification cost you will also need to complete the bursary request section of the application form and return it to the IMA
Q: How much bursary can I apply for?
A: Bursary awards will be determined on an individual basis taking into consideration the availability of funds at any one time. We are able to consider awards for up to £200 thanks to financial support from MBNA.
Q: Is there any other help with costs I might be able to access?
A: Applicants with total ‘household’ income of less than £16,300 may be entitled to further help with costs. Contact us for more information if you think that this may apply to you.

About the Application Process

Q: I am interested in the qualification, what should I do next?
A:
  1. Discuss with your employer to see whether they will help you to pay for the qualification or access funding from another party
  2. Request an application pack from the IMA
  3. Complete an application forms and return it to the IMA
  4. If you need help to pay for the qualification cost you will also need to complete the Bursary request section of your application
  5. The bursary request form will ask whether you want to continue with the application even if you are not awarded a bursary
  6. We will let you know whether you have been accepted for the Qualification and the amount of any bursary awarded
  7. We will invoice you the cost of the Qualification minus any bursary award
  8. The invoice must be paid in full before we can progress your application for the Qualification
  9. You will receive correspondence from Staffordshire University confirming your acceptance on the course and will then send your Username, Password and details of how to e-enrol
  10. We will send you a Course Handbook* which will provide information about
    1. Being a Student with Staffordshire University
    2. The Qualification syllabus
    3. Pre-course reading
    4. The post qualification Continuing Professional Development scheme
(*Please note that the Course Handbook is separate and distinct from the CPAG Debt Advice Handbook)
Q: Where can I get an Application Pack?
A: Email qualifications@i-m-a.org.uk or phone us on 0113 242 0048 to request an application pack
Q: When will the courses start?
A: There will be four intakes or start dates for the qualification each year. The courses will start on the first Monday of each of the following months each year:

  1. July
  2. October
  3. January
  4. April

Statutory holidays may affect start times of the course.
We anticipate a high demand for places, it is therefore important that you submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappoint. Applications must be received at least one month before the start date. If your preferred intake period is fully subscribed we will ask you if you are happy to join the next intake.

About the Entry Requirements

Q: Do I have to be a Money Advice Caseworker to take part?
A: The qualification is primarily designed for accreditation of Money Advice Caseworkers but is also accessible to other roles within the sector. As the module contains both learning material and assessment it allows students to learn and be tested on the full range of activities involved in Money Advice Casework.
Q: What are the entry requirements?
A: You will be able to take the qualification if you are a member of the IMA and you have;
  1. One year full time (or part time equivalent) current money advice casework experience
    or
  2. Two years full time (or part time equivalent) previous money advice casework experience
    or
  3. Other relevant experience; casework in other areas of law or other ‘relevant activity within the field of Money Advice’. This criterion will be assessed by the IMA and the University on a case by case basis.
Q: What might constitute ‘relevant activities in the area of law’?
A: This is not an exhaustive list but activities might include
  • Training in Money Advice
  • Supervision of Money Advice
  • Consultancy in Money Advice
  • Casework in other areas of law
  • Research / Authoring in Money Advice
  • Work as a Housing Officer
  • Financial Inclusion work
Q: How do I show that I have this experience?
A: On your application form, you will be asked to give details of your ‘other relevant experience’ and each application will be assessed on an individual basis.
Q: What if I am not accepted for the qualification?
A: You can re-apply at a future date

About Being a Student

Q: What are my rights and responsibilities associated with being a student of Staffordshire University?
A: You are subject to the usual rules and responsibilities for being a student. Details of these can be accessed on Staffs University website http://www.staffs.ac.uk/current/regulations/index.php In particular the General Regulations for Students document.
Q: Can I break off from study and return to it?
A: As a student in some circumstances you will be able to intermit. The effect of this is that you are ‘put on hold’ and can return to your study at a later date. You would need to discuss this with the University Award Leader.
Q: What if I can’t complete the qualification in the 12 weeks?
A: See 3.9 of the General Regulations for Students. If you believe that your performance on a module/award has been affected by illness or other unforeseen circumstance you must complete an extenuating circumstance claim form and attach appropriate medical evidence as required.
Q: What if I fail?
A: If you fail the module you will be entitled to another second attempt at the module at no additional cost. Under exceptional circumstances you may be entitled to a third attempt at the Universities discretion.
Q: What are the benefits of being a student of Staffordshire University?
A:
  • Membership to Student Union (for the year)
  • Access to University library and resources including web-based
  • Usual students discounts (shopping, food and travel etc)
You will be able to access more information about the full range of student benefits directly from the Staffordshire University website for www.staffs.ac.uk

About Staying Accredited

Q: How do I stay accredited?
A: Once you have successfully completed the qualification, in order to stay accredited you will need to:
  • Maintain your IMA Membership
  • Maintain a level of Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
  • Agree and support the IMA Statement of Good Practice which will be replaced by the Professional Code of Conduct in due course
Q: How will the Continuing Professional Development Scheme work?
A: We will provide a simple recording form for you to keep a record of your learning and development activities. Each activity will attract a number of CPD hours. We have created a table of activities with corresponding hours. The CPD Recording form and guidance document are available to download from the Qualifications Page of our website.
  • We would require 16 CPD hours to be accumulated each year. This will be the same requirement whether you are full or part time.
  • Activities must come from at least two of the four different categories and must include an activity in category one, Training
    • Training
    • Meetings and Discussion Groups
    • Qualifications
    • Research, reading and writing
  • Each CPD year will run from 1st November to 31st October
  • Hours cannot be carried over
  • The Accreditation qualification will satisfy requirements for your first part year, until the first November.
For example if you join a cohort in 2011
Cohort Exam Results Notification CPD accumulation starts
January 2011 March 2011 May 2011 November 2011
April 2011 June 2011 August 2011 November 2011
July 2011 September 2011 November 2011 November 2012
October 2011 December 2011 February 2012 November 2012
  • CPD activities should relate to the area of law of Money Advice and should be to the appropriate level of skills and knowledge (Caseworker level or above).
  • Graduates will be required to keep evidence of their activities (where possible) as we reserve the right to request supporting evidence.
  • We will operate a random sampling of forms from time to time so you must keep it up to date and available upon request.
  • Your record of development can also be used by you as a career development resource in wider contexts, for example to support CVs and applications for jobs.
Q: What if I am on long term leave and am unable to accumulate CPD Hours?
A: CPD Hours are expected to be accumulated for all accredited Money Advisers. Where personal circumstances prevent the accumulation of hours for example during periods of extended leave, notification should be provided to the IMA as soon as possible. Where CPD Hours cannot be accumulated allowances will be considered by the Accreditation Panel on an individual basis.