Steve and Sandy courses

Barry

Hello all I have returned to study again after a break due to personal issues. I am going to be doing ACCA as well but not until next year as I have DFS left which ill be doing in December and paying for myself.

Thing is I believe Steve will no longer be doing student courses for DFS. Is this right? If he isnt does anyone know if Sandy does it?

I can't afford places like Kaplan so really wanted a course run by Steve as he is cheap and apparently good. If he has stopped can anyone recommend anyone else?

Baz

Steve Collings

Cheap and good, eh? Could be viewed in so many lights!!

Who has told you I am not running courses for December's session?

Time permitting, I may do some DFS revision courses subject to my commitments later in the year.

Kind regards
Steve

beverly hudson

Revision courses are necessary if you want to pass and need extra input. I do have reservations on these "unapproved" courses offered by Steve and Sandy in that the courses they offer tend to only be 1 day. It is not possible to cover all the major areas of a syllabus such as DFS or PEV in one day let alone devoting sufficient time to each major area. There are a lot of FRS to learn in DFS. You need at least 2 days to cover these!

Whilst money is an issue for students i always advise them that it is an investment in their future.

I would consider other means of tutorial support. Sorry Steve and Sandy but that's my opinion as a tutor with over 20 years full time teaching experience.

jilt

Having been on Steve's DFS days I feel it necessary to offer my opinion on this.

Steve quite clearly states that his DFS days do not cover the whole of the syllabus but just the key areas. He makes it quite clear that we need to get out our course books and past papers and practice, practice, preactice.

He covered cash flows, consolidated accounts etc and asked if there was anything anyone particularly wanted to go through time permitting. With regards to standards, he covered a selection of them, gave us handouts and explained a few of the tricky ones and where students often go wrong when answering exam questions.

For the minimal fee he charges I think he provides a fantastic 'unapproved' course, I am convinced I probably wouldn't have passed DFS last December if I hadn't been on his course., he just expalined things once and suddenly it all came together and i could understand why i was doing things not just remembering how to do it.

As for Sandy, sadly I couldn't make his courses earlier in the year, but I have heard he is extremely good also, in fact when the results come out in August I may well be signing up for his MAC course later in the year.

I do understand where you're coming from, but I have to disagree that revision courses are necessary for all students in order to pass exams. I am a home studier and passed all the other AAT exams without attending any courses, tutorial or revision. I particularly needed help with these last two because I started studying far too close to the exams which is not to be recommended.

I agree money spent on revision courses etc is an investment but sadly not all students can afford the fees the likes of Kaplan and BPP charge and Steve and Sandy do a damn fine job.

Steve Collings

beverly hudson wrote: »

Revision courses are necessary if you want to pass and need extra input. I do have reservations on these "unapproved" courses offered by Steve and Sandy in that the courses they offer tend to only be 1 day. It is not possible to cover all the major areas of a syllabus such as DFS or PEV in one day let alone devoting sufficient time to each major area. There are a lot of FRS to learn in DFS. You need at least 2 days to cover these!

Whilst money is an issue for students i always advise them that it is an investment in their future.

I would consider other means of tutorial support. Sorry Steve and Sandy but that's my opinion as a tutor with over 20 years full time teaching experience.

I can't speak for Sandy, but I respect your opinions on my courses. In the 'revision' courses I offer, I expect students to have already covered the major syllabus areas and we work through exam standard questions to address any weaknesses. We can cover an entire examination paper in a one-day session which does go into a lot of detail and pulls out examiner's requirements, tips for pitfall avoidance and addresses tricky and complex areas.

I appreciate you have a lot of full time tutorial experience and your teaching methods and beliefs may well be different to mine, but hey we are all different. I don't go through every examinable accounting standard because (a) some of them are examined largely default (e.g. IAS 27 'Consolidated and Separate Financial Statements) and (b) I expect students to have revised the basics - particularly on a 'revision' course.

My courses may be 'unapproved' but I do believe students benefit from my input.

Kind regards
Steve

p.s. DFS examines IFRS as opposed to UK GAAP (FRS).

jilt

Steve Collings wrote: »

p.s. DFS examines IFRS as opposed to UK GAAP (FRS).

Damn forgot to mention that! lol

Bluewednesday

I know which ones I would consider as value for money just be looking at the posts!

beverly hudson

Ok I agree that Steve and Sandy are experts in their field. Essentially though they are a competitor of the various tuition providers. As a full time tutor I think students would benefit from more structured and planned days. In my experience students prefer a much more tutor based approach to study than basically someone who does not teach full time or who might have to corner cut to finish on time.

I am a believer that you would go to a doctor if you were ill and therefore go to a full time tutor who works for a reputable TUITION PROVIDER for your studies.

messedup89

beverly hudson wrote: »

Ok I agree that Steve and Sandy are experts in their field. Essentially though they are a competitor of the various tuition providers. As a full time tutor I think students would benefit from more structured and planned days. In my experience students prefer a much more tutor based approach to study than basically someone who does not teach full time or who might have to corner cut to finish on time.

I am a believer that you would go to a doctor if you were ill and therefore go to a full time tutor who works for a reputable TUITION PROVIDER for your studies.

Your not trying to recruit students are you?

Gem7321

The revision courses I attended through my provider were only one day per exam - as everyone has already said it is a revision course to recap major points you're not going through the whole unit again.

I've never had the privilege of attending one of Steves or Sandys revision courses but I've only ever heard good things, and I think 1 day is plenty.

And I would never, ever trust a tutor who thinks FRS is examied in DFS and doesn't know the audit thresholds! I'd be interested to know which learning provider you work for Beverly.

sdv

beverly hudson wrote: »

I am a believer that you would go to a doctor if you were ill and therefore go to a full time tutor who works for a reputable TUITION PROVIDER for your studies.

Beverly I appriciate your concern and you are right to raise them.

However,

Steve Collings

you must have followed his posts since Feb 2008, He has posted his support since Feb 2009 under the current handle, but has also used Peugot before that.

If you examine his posts, you will find his teaching/explanations to problems is second to none. If he were to teach full time, he would easily get grade 1 certification from the college qualtity control department.

Since he has started to offer the revision courses and Free exam paper suggested answer, the testimony from professional accountants, tutors and students, who have benefited from his teaching / revision, is exceptional. The reputation of Steve among students, tutors and in his own profession is very highly reguarded.

Sandy Hood

Sandy does teach on AAT and CIMA at Chichester College. He is a qualified tutor and again the testimony from tutors and students are extraordinary.

Sandy's work is so reputable that AAT has approched him to deliver their revision couse and lead a costing study blogg.

I know that I find it is fustrating and envious that their names appear time and time again in the students posts claiming that they are FABULAS. Not only that but they are very humble and show a lot of empathy towards unfair posts against them. I must learn that quality from them and they do inspire me in that reguard, so I am grateful to them.

In conclusion, I belive students are safe and they won't get any better tutors/revisors then steve and sandy.
Though, your conrtibutions as a TUTOR are welcome and will be greatly appreciated by students here, I am sure.

And in time you can/will build a formidable reputation. COME and JOIN IN.

Julia

Beverly

I have been in the tuition business for 24 years and have not come across your name (tutors in the private sector generally have heard of eachother ). What concerns me is your one sided view on Steve and Sandy.

Steve is a well respected individual who is well known for his remarkable knowledge on accounting and auditing and who also practices his specialisms. I have taught FR and audit for many years and currently work for BPP but have to say Steve always explains things very easy!

Your inference to Steve's courses are quite frankly unfair and misguided. From what I have seen from Steve (and Sandy) is that they are much loved by the students, certainly on here, and if they help the students then who cares if their courses are unapproved? As a tutor you should know we have other issues to worry about.

Which provider do you work for?

Rachey

sdv wrote: »

Beverly I appriciate your concern and you are right to raise them.

However,

Steve Collings

you must have followed his posts since Feb 2008, He has posted his support since Feb 2009 under the current handle, but has also used Peugot before that.

I didnt quite understand that at first, but being a typical nosey woman I had a ponder at her previous posts and realised what you meant!! It appears this lady likes to try and 'prove Steve wrong' on several occasions. Good luck with that.......!!

cornflower

Ha ha ha. I had to read this three times to make sure I was reading the same thread! Beverly, Steve is one person noooobody would disagree with when it comes to DFS, accounting or auditing sweetheart. And as for Sandy, could you do PEV or whatever it is?

Steve and Sandy are the best when it comes to DFS and PEV. Both of them got me through my AAT and I still say Steve got me through DFS even though he always laughs such compliments off.

Thing I'm saying Beverly is Steve and Sandy are first class at what they do. If you want us students to respect you, stop dissing the ones who matter just to make yourself feel better.

Respect to Steve and Sandy.

JaffasGirl

Once again Beverley has returned to try and belittle Steve. How dare you say that their course are no good? Have you been on one? They have helped hundreds of students to pass their courses, mostly this is because the major 'approved' tuition providers have failed to explain things clearly enough! (not getting at the providers, just saying everyone is different).

I would once again like to ask you what company you work for? I just hope to god it's not BPP or Kaplan....or I'm going to have to find another provider to help me through my course, cause you have no idea what your talking about!

You my dear are just another Troll. So back off and stop giving your unhelpful (and wrong) advice that will only prove to confuse students.

Linda

Beverley
I passed my AAT in 2008 and this was thanks to Sandy's revision course.
This man knows his subject and consisely summarises the subject .
Who did I see after nearly 2 and a half years on Thursday - Sandy Hood
He was at the GFP conference and still makes his point clearly and was one of the best speakers at the conference.

If you are a teacher you should check your facts. Sandy is a full-time lecturer and works for AAT and Chichester College. I doubt he would teach us anything he had not checked first.

Steve's book and his help on the forum is brilliant. I've never been to one of his revision days but I'd not even consider criticising him without checking my facts.

Primble

i think it's awsome that Steve and Sandy give up their time to help us. Judging by your lack of post's you obviously haven't helped many people. Who cares that you are a tutor for a million years. Fact is at least these guys know how accounts work in real life and ar every respected in the trade.

jewels.p

Who is Beverley?

I am now in my Technician Level with hopefully only two exams to go and couldnt have got through my AAT without Sandy and Steve. As a Distance Learner (with a Learning Provider please note) I have had things explained to me by those two that I didnt understand when explained by my learning provider.

They are both superb at what they do and I am full of nothing but respect for them both. To me it looks like Beverley thinks that they are cheating her out of money as students prefer them to some learning providers. Sour Grapes come to mind and to end this message I still say Beverley who? I have been on here since the early part of 2008 and dont recall her at all?!!!!!!

Gem7321

Beverly pops up every now and then to try and belittle Steve but normally ends up looking foolish herself.

taskey

being out in Germany i can only say a huge thanks to both Steve and Sandy. Steve continuosuly updated me with emails and has always been available to me when i have contacted him. Sandy has put me in touch with a tutor out here in germany to arrange study days, thankfully i did not need them.

Both of them are stars and we, as students, are grateful for all o fhte FREE advice they give.

Tracy

Londina

I passed the terrible MAC exam thanks to Sandy's revision!!

beverly hudson

I apologise if you consider me a troll. I can assure you I am not.

I do not work for BPP or Kaplan but I am a freelance tutor. I know Steve and sandy are well respected on here but I still stand by my original comments that their courses simply cannot cover the major syllabus areas in a day. I have worked in teaching for over 20 years and have taught AAT courses and other financial courses. All these courses were run over at least 3 days. Steve cannot cover all the accounting standards in a day that is impossible but students seem to give good feedback.

As I say I would always recommend approved courses as that way students know what they are getting

Steve Collings

beverly hudson wrote: »

I apologise if you consider me a troll. I can assure you I am not.

I do not work for BPP or Kaplan but I am a freelance tutor. I know Steve and sandy are well respected on here but I still stand by my original comments that their courses simply cannot cover the major syllabus areas in a day. I have worked in teaching for over 20 years and have taught AAT courses and other financial courses. All these courses were run over at least 3 days. Steve cannot cover all the accounting standards in a day that is impossible but students seem to give good feedback.

As I say I would always recommend approved courses as that way students know what they are getting

Hi Beverly,

As I have said on previous threads, I expect students on my revision courses to have looked at the accounting standards already. I do not visit every assessable standard because to do so would be inappropriate. I look at some of the more common ones instead and emphasise to students that some of the standards they will be comfortable with by default. For example if a student is comfortable with the statement of cash flows, then why trawl through IAS 7?

I appreciate that you have extensive teaching experience and most tuition providers will carefully structure courses to take account of the whole syllabus. I do not run courses longer than a day because I am not a full-time tutor. My days are intensive and we focus on one, maybe two, exam papers where I will go through the papers in extensive detail, highlighting examiner requirements and explaining WHY something is done that way to help the students (I find students respond well to knowing why something is done as opposed to some tuition providers who simply teach students to pass an exam). Teaching students to pass an exam is not training them to be an accountant - my methods deliberately avoid this. For the record, I am not implying you teach students simply to pass an exam.

Your threads imply mine and Sandy's courses are somehow substandard - but I assure you a lot of work goes into preparing my courses from identifying questions that I know students will ask, ensuring the course content is the right length, course notes are complete and of a high standard and the slides follow a logical order.

I invite you to sit in on a revision day I will do for the December sittings so you can observe my methods and then you will have a much clearer idea for your comments.

Kind regards
Steve

beverly hudson

Steve I do not doubt your expertise. You are clearly very good at what you do. I don't think you would need me to advise how you teach students so will politely decline your offer of attending one of your courses as I have a high level of teaching experience.

Londina

beverly hudson wrote: »

as I have a high level of teaching experience.

... no comment....

Gem7321

beverly hudson wrote: »

As I say I would always recommend approved courses

And yours is approved, is it?

Primble

beverly hudson wrote: »

I apologise if you consider me a troll. I can assure you I am not.

I do not work for BPP or Kaplan but I am a freelance tutor. I know Steve and sandy are well respected on here but I still stand by my original comments that their courses simply cannot cover the major syllabus areas in a day. I have worked in teaching for over 20 years and have taught AAT courses and other financial courses. All these courses were run over at least 3 days. Steve cannot cover all the accounting standards in a day that is impossible but students seem to give good feedback.

As I say I would always recommend approved courses as that way students know what they are getting

I personally wouldn't go on your course as you are freelance, you put others down in an immature and unproffesional manner and if you do go through everything it seems like you are just teaching how to pass rather than how it works. Do you have any "real" accounting experience. after all, those who cant... teach... full time without being linked to a highly regarded institution and slag off other peoples hard work.

Steve - your early start DFS course was invaluable and if it was any longer than 1 day I wouldn't have been able to attend.

Sandy - Your explanations are clear and make me as a distance learner understand things better than the books do

These guys have no obligation to help us on the forum, and the little they charge for courses means we are eternally in their debt

Glynis

Beverly I don't know how you can comment on Steve or Sandys courses if you have never been taught by them. I have not been on either of their courses but they allways get good feedback.

Reading your threads I don't think I would go to one if your courses.

A-Vic

Beverly

Where is it you teach? are through any college or learning provider? can you pass on any details of students you have tutored? do you come highly recommended? what are your crudentials? can you give examples of any published articals? do you work in practise or industry? what official teacher training have you received?

These are all the questions i would ask and when you do come back with an answer then i would look at the way you treat other tutors and then how much disrispect other well known and highly respected members of the forum. So after what ive read of your remarks i wouldnt even bother recommending you anyway.

JaffasGirl

beverly hudson wrote: »

I don't think you would need me to advise how you teach students so will politely decline your offer of attending one of your courses as I have a high level of teaching experience.

I think you missed the point of Steves post!! He wasnt saying 'hi, come along and give me some pointers' he was merely saying for you to come along so you could actually see what he does, and then make a judgement.

And you are a troll, you come on here and 'correct' peoples posts - when they dont need correcting, just to validate your own feeling of self importance.

Given your previous posts, and also that none of the tutors on here know who you are, i would be inclined to believe that you are not from a 'approved' learning provider either.

SandyHood

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to this thread.
I hope that doesn't sound pompous

Prior to the most recent set of exams I took courses to help exam candidates pass. Five were at Kingsway Hall. These had to be booked through the AAT and every candidate was welcomed by either Graeme Johnston or Ross Grange. In addition, we had a member of the MIP/membership team every day to help anyone wanting to know exactly what to do to become MAAT.
I would say that that was a whole hearted approval.

I also took four classes at Chichester College where I have a certificate outside the staffroom that states that the AAT approves the courses run there.

I ran a course near Derby quite independently. Here we took 2 days to revise MAC ~ incidentally my only non-one day course for June 2010.
I also ran another in Arundel, again independently.

I feel that when students have studied the whole of the standards then one day can be sufficient as a revision. Two days is generally better, especially for MAC where there is a lot of ground to cover.

I have no doubt about approval, and am proud to say that my colleague (Barbara) and myself have been asked to go into other colleges from time to time. The AAT tend to arrange such assistance where another lecturer has been unable to complete a course with his/her students.

Although I'm proud that AAT approves the work we do, I am always open to improvement. If there are aspects that Beverley could help with, I'd be willing to listen. I've been teaching AAT since the days of Preliminary/Intermediate/Advanced exams in 1993, but I wouldn't be so arrogant to say that I know it all.