CPA Australia
What is a CPA?
A CPA is a finance, accounting and business professional with a specific qualification. The member must have the following to use the CPA designation:
* an undergraduate degree accredited by CPA Australia
* completion of the CPA Program, a comprehensive postgraduate professional study program
* completion of three years supervised or mentored experience in finance, accounting or business
* undertake continuing professional development each year
* show continued adherence to a strict code of conduct set by CPA Australia
To offer public accounting services, CPAs must also complete CPA Australia's Public Practice Program, which involves distance learning and a residential component, and must hold a Public Practice Certificate in accordance with the CPA Australia's by-laws.
About CPA Australia
CPA Australia is one of the world's largest accounting bodies with a membership of more than 122,000 finance, accounting and business professionals across the globe.
Our international presence continues to grow in terms of representation on international bodies and influence in the profession globally.
In areas of financial reporting, taxation and corporate governance we are thought leaders in Australia and internationally.
Education, training, technical support and advocacy are our core services for members. Staff and members work together with local and international bodies to represent the views and concerns of the profession to federal, state and territory governments and to regulators, industry, academia and the general public.
Our mission, vision and strategic agenda
Building on our 2006-2008 corporate plan, the 2009-2011 corporate plan will focus on:
* operating as a globally branded organisation
* being the global professional accountancy designation for strategic business leaders
* engaging with employers
* meeting the knowledge needs of members
* branding CPA Australia as an even stronger competitor
Our members
All graduates who have completed a tertiary degree accredited by CPA Australia are eligible for Associate (ASA) non-voting status of CPA Australia.
All members commencing membership from 1 July 2007 are required to complete the CPA Program and advance to CPA status within six years of membership, failure to advance will result in the forfeiture of membership.
All active members are required to fulfil continuing professional development (CPD) commitments of 120 CPD hours every three years.
To become a Certified Practising Accountant (CPA), members must complete the CPA Program and have three years' mentored experience working in the area of accounting or finance.
The CPA designation is a mark of high professional competence. It indicates a soundness in depth, breadth and quality of accountancy knowledge.
Fellow (FCPA) status is a recognition of the recipient's knowledge and experience and the contribution the member has made to the profession. To achieve Fellow status members need to be CPAs, have a minimum of fifteen years' accounting or finance experience, and to have held a responsible position in accounting or finance for at least five years. Their achievements need to be recognised by divisional council.
Fellows are required to undertake the same structured CPD requirements as CPAs.
Specialist designations are open to all CPAs who complete an accredited post-graduate course in one of the eight areas of specialisation, and who have had at least three years' experience in their chosen field or to CPAs who have had at least five years specialist experience at an expert level in the past 10 years.
The eight areas of specialisation are:
* auditing
* external reporting
* insolvency and reconstruction
* management accounting
* taxation
* treasury
* information technology
* financial planning
A specialist designation indicates that a member has achieved a level of competence higher than that of general practitioners.
The Public Practice Certificate is open to all CPAs who desire to be a principal in public practice. They must complete CPA Australia's Public Practice Program and meet a number of other requirements.
