ACORD (Association for Co-operative Operations Research and Development), the global non-profit organisation serving the insurance and related industries through the development of open consensus data standards and standard forms, offers a number of certifications in the furtherance of its vision of an insurance industry that embraces a global and enterprise view of information.
The ACORD Certified Expert (ACE) tests were created by experts and ACORD staff, and are used to determine that every ACE candidate fully understands how to properly implement ACORD standards.
While the ACE is an international accreditation, South African John Koukaras is one of only three in the world to boast two ACORD accreditations, and the second internationally with his particular combination of accreditations, with his recent receipt of his second certification. Completing the short-term AML Standard certification after months of hard work, Koukaras passed the certification exam, adding to his Life Annuity and Health Standard certification.
Koukaras is employed at MIP Holdings, one of ACORD’S South African members, specialising in the collection of contributions and payment of benefits in the insurance and financial services industries.
“What ACORD has to offer – a framework of industry reference models used collectively or by individuals across various lines of business and geographic borders – offers many benefits across different lines of business. Implementing ACORD Standards is becoming increasingly important to the local insurance industry, allowing for improved data quality and flow, increased efficiency, and huge savings. However, the ACORD certifications now allow us to take on initiatives broader than just those in South Africa, and position the benefits to other countries. This is the direction MIP and the industry need to go,” Koukaras says.
He adds that as an ACE, his access to various working groups and the knowledge provided by these such as addressing common problems and sharing ideas with counterparts from all over the world, is invaluable. “Across the IT world, designations prove that you have a specific and certified set of skills. ACE is no different, and by encouraging participation with insurance companies, offers a much broader knowledge base than many other IT certifications.”
With a background in systems architecture, Koukaras was able to relate to the need for the ACORD standards more strongly, seeing how they offer value and transform the way things are done. The accreditations were challenging, he says, requiring an understanding of the industry and particular knowledge of the standards. His first accreditation took three months, and he received the second certification a further three month later.
MIP is a proctor for ACORD in South Africa, having been chosen to administer the ACE exams on behalf of ACORD locally. Being a member-driven organisation, the successful employment of the ACORD standards is dependent on the support of companies like MIP, and Richard Firth, CEO of MIP, says that this is another step to helping South African organisations meet global standards.
“We believe strongly in the value offered by the ACORD standards, and by partnering with the organisation, we are helping the local industry become more effective. We are pleased to be able to administer the ACE exams in South Africa, and having one of our own staff members obtain these certifications is a proud achievement,” says Firth.
“I would like as many people in financial services industry in South Africa to get involved as much as possible. There aren’t that many people certified locally as yet, and I am looking forward to changing the landscape now that it will be easier for South Africans to obtain the certifications,” Koukaras concludes.