Securexam for the CPA, CGA program

Transcription

1 Securexam for the CPA, CGA program Agenda 1. Introduction 2. Guides 3. Purchase, registration, software installation and Qualification Exam 4. Demonstration on how to use the software 5. Recurring problems 6. Tips 7. Technical support 8. Questions Québec 1

2 Introduction Computers may only be used for the Advanced external auditing (AU2), Issues in professional practice (PA1) and Strategic financial management (PA2) exams.please note that the use of a computer to write one of the three exams listed above is not mandatory. If you prefer, you can write your exam by hand. Securexam (CGA) is a special lockdown software program that disables most of your computer s functionality and file access. It will ensure that, during the exam, you will be able to use your computer for the following purposes only: Keyed response: you will be able to use a word processor and an electronic spreadsheet to input your responses, and submit them electronically for marking purposes. Guides Where can the guides be found? > Becoming a CPA, CGA > Program leading to the CPA, CGA designation > Exams > Computer IMPORTANT: Read the various Securexam guides carefully Québec 2

3 Guides Guide #1: Using my laptop computer at the CPA,CGA exam Provides purchase, registration, software installation and Qualification Exam instructions with screen shots Guide #2: User Guide This is the most comprehensive guide. Guide #3: Tips Guide Describes software functionality (Word processor, spreadsheet ) Guide #4: Instructions to candidates from BDO Canada, Ernst & Young and Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton Specific instructions on updates and USB keys Purchase, registration, software installation and Qualification Exam Step 1: Purchase ($85 + taxes) Purchase the software online through the following web site: Follow the instructions in Guide #1: Using my laptop computer at the CPA,CGA exam Québec 3

4 Purchase, registration, software installation and Qualification Exam Step 2: Registering Registration on the site is mandatory for ALL in order to obtain updates, exams and licences: Follow the instructions in Guide #1: Using my laptop computer at the CPA,CGA exam Purchase, registration, software installation and Qualification Exam Step 3: Installing the Securexam (CGA) software Minimum hardware and software requirements for Securexam (CA) Securexam (CA) runs on PC-based computers only. No Apple/Macintosh/PowerPC computer will be supported, even if it runs Windows. To install Securexam (CGA), your laptop must meet these minimum hardware and software requirements: Hardware Pentium IV processor or higher (or industry equivalent); 512 MBof Ram; 100 MB of free hard drive space (required to run application); A free USB port; To use Securexam (CGA) in the writing centre, you need a free USB port. (You do not need a free USB port to practice with the software or to complete the mandatory Qualification Exam. Software Microsoft Windows Operating System XP, Vista, Windows 7 or Windows 8; Internet Explorer 6.0 or greater; To download the software, upload the Qualification Exam and receive s from Software Secure, you also require Internet access. Québec 4

5 Purchase, registration, software installation and Qualification Exam Step 3: Securexam (CGA) Software installation Once registered, you can download the software from Follow the instructions in Guide #1: Using my laptop computer at the CPA,CGA exam It is your responsibility to install the software! Purchase, registration, software installation and Qualification Exam Step 4: Performing the mandatory Qualification Exam test of the Securexam (CA) software You must test the software by performing a Qualification Exam, and upload the resulting files to Software Secure for confirmation. Follow the instructions in the Taking a Qualification Exam section of Guide #2: User Guide. To launch AND exit the Qualification Exam, enter the password page After three days, ensure that your account status level is changed to Confirmed (which means the software is running properly). This Qualification Exam is mandatory for you to be permitted to use Securexam (CGA) at the exam Québec 5

6 Demonstration on how to use the software: Quick start Refer to Guide #2: User Guide Getting started Obtain exams and licences (Internet connection required) USB key Types of exams: Qualification Exam Practice exam unencrypted files Regional UFE exams encrypted files Securexam (CGA) software contains a practice version that can help you practice before the exam. Using a word processor and a spreadsheet with Securexam (CGA) is different some functionality is disabled and some keys won t work the way you expect. Using the practice version allows you to familiarize yourself with the changed functionality of the word processor and the spreadsheet in the Securexam (CGA) environment. To launch AND exit the practice exam, enter the password page Practice mode Practice before the exam! Québec 6

7 Demonstration on how to use the software: Functionality Refer to Guide #3: Tips Guide Functionality Answer tab Enter the question number in each tab to avoid getting the pop-up Empty Document Nothing Typed Warning! Spreadsheet Formulas: - Drop-down Formula menu (copy/paste) with English formula syntax - Appendix A of the Tips Guide Printable Area Recurring problems Refer to Guide #4: Securexam (CA) Tips Guide Change keyboard language Text appears in grey (doubleclick header) The answer tab screen is blue Option 1: Click Alt (left) + Shift OR Ctrl + Shift Option 2: Go to the Control Panel (Regional and Language options) and select English It is impossible to change the font colour back to black. However, when printing, the text will be in black and white. Click on the spreadsheet tab and then return to the answer tab. Québec 7

8 Recurring problems Continued Spreadsheet freezes when a formula is typed Close the Formula drop-down menu by pressing Escape Numbers in the Excel spreadsheet are in scientific format (3.43E+17) The spreadsheet has zoomed in (or out) Go to Format on the menu bar and select Number format Zoom in or out in the spreadsheet by pressing Ctrl and scrolling the mouse at the same time Recurring problems Continued Candidates must double-click in each cell to input information Press F11 Error message appears in the spreadsheet indicating a circular reference but there is no error Remove the circular reference and then copy and paste the column where the error message occurred The computer is slow Close all unused programs (e.g. Skype) and disable automatic updates (Windows, antivirus) Québec 8

9 Tips Refer to Guide #3: Tips Guide Tips: Shortcut keys (refer to page 4 of the Tips Guide) Do not change the font size and style because the files print using a default font of Times New Roman 12. Technical support Step 1: If your computer is supplied by your employer Contact your employer s help desk first to ensure minimum hardware and software requirements have been met. Step 2: Read the GUIDES carefully! Step 3: Contact the CPA Order: Marjolaine Beaudry ext Step 4: Contact Software Secure: To obtain answers to your questions in an expedited manner, visit the Software Secure online customer support portal at Québec 9

10 QUESTIONS? Québec 10