My Success in the Accreditation for Chartered Status – Andrew Considine of Merlin Claims
Following the relief of being informed by CILA that I had passed the required examinations I set about planning for the Accreditation for Chartered Status (ACS). The ACS Handbook provides guidance notes on what is expected through the process and this is a good starting point. I approached my employer, Merlin Claims who were delighted that I was to proceed and offered me every encouragement.
The first major decision that I had to undertake was to select the subject of my critical analysis. I have worked in both general property adjusting and in counter fraud investigation. I wanted to find a claim that I had dealt with which demonstrated technical ability, my experience to handle major losses, and customer service.
As with most things in life the hardest part of completing a task is getting started and I rewrote my opening paragraph more times than any other part of the critical analysis. However, once you do get started, it is surprising how quickly you can produce 3000 words. In fact my major issue became trying to get my 4500 words down to the required 3000.
The summary of experience gives you the opportunity to show your breadth of experience and ability to cope with different situations. I had been selecting cases over the previous six months and so had them to hand when I reached this part of the process.
Having submitted the Critical Analysis and Summary of Experience to CILA I was then invited to complete the presentation and interview with a panel of qualified Adjusters. What was immediately apparent on arriving to face the panel was that they were attempting to make me feel as relaxed as possible (which given the situation was not easy!) and wanted to give me every opportunity to do well. They were not there to look for ways to fail me or to be deliberately difficult. My hints and tips for the ACS are as follows:
- Pick your subject matter for your critical analysis with care. Make sure it is a subject that you would find comfortable discussing at great length and in detail.
- Before you undertake the interview make sure you have refreshed your memory in relation to your Critical Analysis as it may have been some time since you wrote it.
- Practice your presentation and then practice some more. You want to know the content of your presentation so that you can concentrate on your presentation style.
- Try and keep up to date with recent developments in the insurance market especially in respect of technical matters. This will impress the panel and show you take the responsibility of being a Loss Adjuster seriously.
- Be confident!
When I received the letter from Malcolm Hyde informing me that I had passed the ACS I was absolutely delighted. It was with great enthusiasm that I ordered my new business cards with the addition of the designatory letters ACILA. The immediate financial reward from Merlin was also gratefully accepted! I do feel as though my Chartered status gives me more standing within the world of Loss Adjusting and is something that can only help with my career aspirations.
Andrew Considine
