The Chartered Accountants Program explained

Notas do Editor

1. So why should you study the CA Program? Well, here are 5 good reasons: You’ll study with one of the leading professional accounting bodies in the world Chartered Accountants ANZ is a member of the Global Accounting Alliance (GAA) – a coalition of 10 of the world’s top professional accounting bodies. So you can assured that your qualification is up there with some of the best programs in the world. Learn from some of the best in the business The Program is designed and taught by Chartered Accountants who have extensive experience working in the industry and are thought leaders in their fields. This means that the knowledge and skills you gain are highly relevant for any career in business and that you will be able to make an impact and add value to your role from day one. The quality of the Program and it’s delivery also means that you will gain an exceptional skillset and breadth of business knowledge. It’s this skillset and knowledge that Chartered Accountants are respected and valued for around the globe and that will give you an edge for your future career – whatever industry, company or country you choose to work in. Be mentored by a CA supporting you throughout your Program journey Your mentor will be a Chartered Accountant and someone who has already successfully mastered the challenges of the modern business world. Effectively your mentor is like your own personal coach who will set you up for success and provide you with guidance and insight. Gain a widely recognised postgraduate qualification (GradDipCA) Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand is an accredited Higher Education Provider. For you, this means that upon becoming a CA and getting your professional designation you will also be awarded a Graduate Diploma of Chartered Accounting. This postgrad award will give you advanced standing for many university masters programs both in Australia and New Zealand and overseas.
2. A hallmark of a Chartered Accountant is high level critical and strategic thinking which can deliver fresh perspectives and sound reasoning to meet real life business challenges. Throughout the 5 modules of the degree we will constantly challenge your thinking – this will significantly advance your technical and professional skills to take you up to the next level and be ready as a qualified Chartered Accountant to become a future focused professional. As in the real world, business problems are complex and multifaceted so we don’t teach our modules in isolation but instead take an integrated approach. For example we don’t have a separate module on ethics, professional codes and public interest. Instead these are core to the underlying principles that our profession is built upon and respected for, they are integrated throughout the modules with a strong emphasis in the final Capstone module. The practical nature of the Program means you will be equipped with the skills to give you a solid foundation for approaching problem solving in the business world. Our first four modules provide technical depth and breadth and are therefore referred to as the ‘technical modules’. They are delivered at an accredited postgraduate level. Coming with your undergraduate experience you will notice a significant step up in how we are expecting you to develop your thinking. Our examinations present business challenges encountered in the real workplace to provide relevance and equip you to tackle similar situations. In addition, the Program covers international standards as well as relevant local standards applicable to Australia and New Zealand. This ensures that you understand the application from all contexts. With a significant online component you will be able to learn on your own terms – when and where. Our materials are tailored for the online learning environment with interactivity that allows you practice and improve through feedback. We continuously update our course materials and tools to ensure that you have access to the most up to date adaptive learning techniques which means feedback if adapted to suit your level. And we have face to face for aspects that are best taught in small groups.
3. Technical modules: provide you with a good foundation in accounting and auditing standards and taxation from a professional Chartered Accountants perspective. You’ll learn about how to compile, review and audit financial statements. You’ll also gain insight into using them to provide advice on tax and other business activities including strategy, planning, budgeting and performance. The Financial Accounting & Reporting (FIN) module navigates the complex regulatory environment around financial reporting, delivering an understanding that goes beyond just the preparation of numbers providing meaning to what is represented in the financial reports. You will extend your understanding as well as your ability to apply International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), with a focus on ethics, client service and future accounting developments. The Auditing & Assurance (AAA) module gives you an understanding of an entity, its environment and enables you to identify and evaluate the relevant risks that it is exposed to, and how these risks impact the financial reports. You’ll also be able to recommend appropriate controls and actions to mitigate the risks. The Management Accounting & Applied Finance (MAAF) module will help you understand how to contribute and add value to an organisation in any sector. Management accounting is about making better business decisions; the practical understanding of key drivers for adding value to a business and how these are tied to the decision-making process. The Taxation (TAX) module helps you to explain and calculate the taxation consequences that apply in a range of scenarios. Armed with the latest international disciplinary and business knowledge you will be able to solve problems; collaborate effectively with individuals and teams; demonstrate strong taxation skills; and provide professional advice confidently, in all sectors. Mention that TAX is different in NZ and AUS
4. The Capstone module integrates your module knowledge and skills from your practical experience in developing the professional competence required to become a Chartered Accountant. This is a highly practical module that allows you to focus on the professional skills you need and the issues that you may have to tackle in business. A critical component of this module are 3 full day face to face workshops. These will help you to build essential professional skills for your career development including leadership, teamwork, analytical thinking, presentation and report writing skills.   These workshops give you the opportunity to work in small groups and establish your peer network. While the module requires you to apply technical skills and current knowledge, the focus is on the development of competencies that you will need to function effectively in the professional environment. This module provides detailed case studies and related research and brings ethics, professional codes and public interest principles into consideration as key tenets of the CA profession. The real life case study used in the latest Capstone module was Myer.
5. An essential part of your journey towards becoming a Chartered Accountant is the three year Mentored Practical Experience component that runs concurrently with your studies in the Program.   You’ll be mentored by an experienced Chartered Accountant, who will supervise and support you with structured one-on-one time. They’ll also formally review your practical experience on a regular basis, and then submit a final report to recommend you for full membership of Chartered Accountants ANZ. These reviews and your final report are tangible proof of your learning journey. They document the practical skills and technical knowledge you have acquired to really go places in your career.   Many Chartered Accountants form lasting friendships with their mentors, and value this time not just for what they learnt but for the networks they established. Your mentor can be an Australian or NZ Chartered Accountant or a member of a recognised GAA body (pls refer to website) They can be a CA that you work with or they can be external, i.e. from another organisation. They can also be located anywhere in the world, as long as standard requirements are met.
6. There are three main entry requirements to the CA Program: In order to apply you will need to have completed an accredited and approved university degree. Approved means that your degree covers prerequisite subjects in ten knowledge areas. If your degree is a non-accounting degree, you can still become a Chartered Accountant. There are alternative entry pathways available and I will talk about one of them in more detail shortly. You will need to be employed for at least 17.5 hours per week in a relevant accounting role. For more information and a list of relevant roles please head to our website. A third requirement is that you have arranged your mentor. If you are currently looking for a mentor, here are some great strategies you can use: Contact your HR department to see if there are any CAs working in your organisation Post on your organisation’s intranet or website Network at events or meetings Reach out to your contacts on your social media networks If you are still struggling, contact us and we will try our best to help you find a mentor.
7. Please note: New applicants will need to allow a minimum of four weeks for their application to be processed before they can enrol in their first module. Submit your application online at www.charteredaccountantsanz.com/program Once your eligibility for the Program is confirmed you will also become a Provisional Member of the Chartered Accountants ANZ.
8. As mentioned, if you are from a non-accounting degree but you would like to undertake the CA Program then our CA foundations course can equip you quickly and cost effectively with any knowledge gaps. CA Foundations is delivered online giving you the flexibility to study when it suits you best and fits with your other commitments. You can also choose to sit the exams right away if you feel you have sufficient prior knowledge. More information is available at: www.charteredaccountantsanz.com/foundations The CA Foundations course is a non-award program. Another option would be a conversion course through a university.
9. When you commence the Program we want you to feel that from day one that you are part of a professional organisation that cares about you. You represent the future generation of leaders and influencers in the business and finance world and as such you will be a provisional member from the time you are accepted in the Program. We want to ensure you are supported as much as possible and are able to connect with the broader member base. This means you can access most of the benefits of a full member. This membership provides you with access to a range of tools that you can use to improve your skills, make new contacts and set yourself apart from your peers: Access to a community of over 100,000 professionals around the world Acuity -A regular magazine (mailed to you and also available online) – latest business trends and insights Access to Provisional member LinkedIn group – easy way to connect online Premium Lifestyle and business discounts through our business partners. Bound by CAANZ’s code of ethics, which is respected and valued by clients, employers and colleagues around the world. Meet your peers in face to face networking events and training sessions: Access to events and training sessions which deliver technical and career development advice and education Access to state-based networking and social events Representation on each of our state Young CA Panels as a means of providing feedback We also have some tailored activities just for provisional members. For example we have a series of events called strategies for success – informal gatherings to discuss study and meet provisional members in your local area.
10. If you are interested in applying for the CA Program, head to our website to for more info on term dates, when to apply and a document checklist. Any questions please contact us (see details above). I hope you enjoyed this brief overview of the Chartered Accountants Program and look forward to welcoming you as a new Provisional Member soon.