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Take your accounting career to the next level and make for a bright future

Become a Chartered Accountant, and get international recognition as an accounting professional. Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ) is the professional body for practicing accountants in Australia and New Zealand – membership is especially important if you wish to become a financial accountant or auditor.

Benefits of CA ANZ membership

Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand:

  • Promotes the interests of over 100,000 accounting professionals in Australia, New Zealand and throughout the world
  • Represents all parties involved in accounting, from those who practice to those who employ and educate accountants
  • Is a member of the Global Accounting Alliance – members enjoy reciprocal benefits from ten international accounting bodies, invaluable when working overseas
  • Awards prizes to Accounting students

There are three membership designations: Chartered Accountant (CA), Associate Chartered Accountant (ACA), and Accounting Technician (AT). Those studying at NZQA level 7 (degree level, e.g. BCom at University of Otago) typically focus on the CA designation.

The AT designation is appropriate for those studying below NZQA level 7, and the ACA designation is unavailable after June 2022. To learn more about the AT and ACA designations, refer to the CA ANZ website:

CA ANZ: Accounting Technician

CA ANZ: Associate Chartered Accountant

Academic requirements for CA ANZ at Otago

To be eligible to become a Chartered Accountant, you must hold a CA ANZ-accredited degree or qualification that:

  • has been assessed by CA ANZ as equivalent to at least an Australian or New Zealand bachelor's degree (NZQA level 7 or higher) and;
  • includes coverage of required competency areas.

For a detailed plan for structuring your Otago BCom (Accounting) degree to meet CA ANZ academic requirements, refer to the Planning your Accounting degree page:

Planning your Accounting degree

Note: Students with a B+ or higher average might consider an Honours degree after they complete their BCom. Completion of an Institute-approved accounting/commerce Honours programme will be recognised as equivalent to the first year of approved employment required for CA ANZ membership.

CA ANZ will assess other qualifications on a case-by-case basis. More detailed information about CA ANZ academic requirements is on their website:

CA ANZ: CA Program academic entry requirements and accredited courses

Completing requirements after graduation

After completing your university study, to become a Chartered Accountant, you will need to complete the following:

  • Three years of practical experience
  • Four online study modules with Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand during your practical experience
  • A capstone module at the end of the three years

Find more information on the CA ANZ website:

CA ANZ: How to become a Chartered Accountant

Once you become a member of the Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand you are entitled to use the letters CA and describe yourself as a Chartered Accountant.

CA ANZ Student Affiliate programme

Whatever your level of study, you can sign up to CA ANZ's Student Affiliate programme. Membership is free.

As a Student Affiliate, you can meet top employers and industry leaders at CA ANZ's nationwide employment events, get timely updates about vacation and graduate positions and get access to valuable career tips and job advice.

Find more information on the CA ANZ website:

CA ANZ: Student affiliates

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