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How to become a Chartered Accountant

Chartered Accountants (CAs) are highly qualified professionals who have completed four years of degree level study supplemented with workplace experience and a professional competence programme.

There are three main steps to becoming a CA:

  1. Complete a recognised academic programme
  2. Complete a practical experience programme
  3. Complete a professional competence programme.

The following figure outlines the process of becoming a CA. Note that some steps can be undertaken at the same time.

Please note that the pathway to become a Chartered Accountant is changing from 2013. Find out about the new requirements.
 

Meet the academic requirements

Complete general practical experience

Completion of four years' degree level study, including completion of a bachelor's degree, with coverage at an NZICA-accredited tertiary institution of specified accounting and business topics, together with 30 credits of liberal studies.

 

We recognise all NZQA-accredited bachelor's degrees completed at New Zealand universities, polytechnics and institutes of technology towards the bachelor's degree requirement.

 

Studied abroad? Apply for recognition of overseas study and qualifications 

(PDF, 156 KB)

 One year of relevant accounting experience (verified by an NZICA member) completed before, during or after the completion of the academic requirements.

Complete and submit the Provisional membership form (PDF, 376 KB)

Complete and submit the Certificate of general practical experience (PDF, 256 KB)

Complete a specified practical experience programme

Complete a professional competence programme

Completion of 12 months in an Approved Training Organisation (ATO) overseen and verified by an NZICA-registered mentor.

 

Prerequisite: Academic requirements and general practical experience.

Foundations Programme 

  • Self study
  • Ethics workshop
  • Written examination

Prerequisite: Provisional membership and general practical experience

Apply for confirmation of eligibility to enrol in PAS / PCE (PDF, 141 KB)

Complete a specified practical experience programme

Complete a professional competence programme
Completion of a further 12 months (24 months in total) in an Approved Training Organisation (ATO) overseen and verified by an NZICA-registered mentor.

PAS/PCE 

  • Self study
  • Ethics workshop
  • Written examination

Prerequisite: Provisional membership and general practical experience

Complete the Professional Competence Examination (PCE)

 Case study based examination

Prerequisite: 12 months of specified practical experience

Apply for full membership (PDF, 575 KB)

 Chartered Accountant