The recent revelations surrounding exam fraud at KPMG have sent shockwaves through the accountancy profession, exposing the far-reaching consequences of compromised exam security. In December last year, the Dutch branch of the renowned accountancy firm announced it was conducting an internal investigation after suspicions arose regarding the sharing of exam answers among its employees. But the real scale of the problem only became apparent this week, when it transpired that the issue was not limited to a few exceptions, but rather a systemic issue, with hundreds of employees sharing exam answers going back at least a period of five years.
In response, the NBA (The Royal Netherlands Institute of Chartered Accountants) expressed profound shock upon learning about the news: “The accounting profession has several fundamental values, and integrity is one of them. Accountants are expected to instil trust in society, and for that, it is essential that they themselves remain impeccable”.
For accountants, integrity is paramount. Their role involves safeguarding the financial landscape by ensuring companies adhere to the rules and regulations. Therefore, any breach of trust is not just a personal failing but undermines the very foundation upon which the profession is built. If their credibility is undermined by dishonest actions, how can they be trusted to uphold the same principles they are supposed to enforce in others?
What’s more, the repercussions of exam fraud are not limited to the loss of perceived integrity; it also erodes the professional knowledge and competence of accountants. These obligatory exams are designed to uphold high-quality standards within the profession. When candidates resort to cheating, they not only compromise their ethical standing but also risk becoming ill-equipped to perform their duties effectively.
So how can we tackle the issue of exam fraud head-on and protect the integrity of exams, the profession and the people who work in it? The strategies we have available range from cultivating honesty to the more technological solutions that advanced e-assessment platforms provide, such as Role-Based Access Control and delivering unique exams for each candidate through Linear On the Fly Testing:
- Cultivate a culture of honesty and integrity: Creating a culture that promotes ethical behaviour and honesty should start from the very beginning of an accountant’s career. Accounting institutions and professional bodies should emphasise the importance of integrity and its inseparable link to their roles. Read our latest blog to learn how you can protect the candidate experience and promote exam integrity promoting a Culture of Honesty and Integrity.
- Secure exam content by limiting exposure: To prevent leaks and unauthorised access to exam materials, robust security measures need to be implemented. Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) can be employed to restrict access to sensitive exam content to only those who require it.
- Diversify exam formats: Employing different exam formats and question banks for each exam session can significantly reduce the risk of cheating. This can be achieved with Linear On the Fly Testing, Blueprints and Parameterisation of questions – check out our ebook on LOFT 3.0 to learn more about this strategy. The approach ensures that all candidates sit a different exam, making it harder for them to collaborate on finding answers.
- Leverage technology to prevent cheating: Utilising advanced technologies like online proctoring and plagiarism detection can help identify suspicious behaviour during or after exams are taken. Check out these recent blogs, they focus specifically on AI cheating, but the same tools can detect or prevent any kind of cheating, ensuring a level playing field for all candidates.
The recent exam fraud scandal at KPMG Netherlands is a stark reminder of the severe consequences cheating can have on any profession, especially accountancy. Upholding the core values of integrity and honesty is essential to maintaining the trust and credibility that the profession requires.
Preventing exam fraud begins with fostering a culture of integrity and implementing security measures to protect exam content. By addressing this issue head-on, the accountancy profession can ensure that accountants are well-equipped, trustworthy, and committed to upholding the highest standards of professionalism and ethics. Only through collective efforts can we safeguard the integrity of the accountancy profession and maintain public confidence in its vital role in the financial world.
Are you concerned about your exam security? Check out our resources on Exam Integrity or get in touch with our consultants to find out how you can protect your exams and the integrity of your learners.
