Print

Foundations Programme

The Foundations Programme consists of a number of self-study plans, a one-day assessed workshop and an open book exam. Foundations replaced the Professional Competence Examination 1 (PCE 1) in 2010.

The goal of the programme is to assess a provisional member's understanding and appreciation of:

  • the authority for, and the structure of, the accounting profession*
  • ethical issues in business and the profession
  • current issues of a non-technical nature influencing the accounting profession

Those seeking to join an NZICA college must demonstrate competency in the above areas and successfully complete the Foundations Programme which consists of:

  • study plans and Ethics in Action CD-ROM (approximately 50 hours of self-study)
  • a six-hour workshop (including assessments worth 25% of total marks)
  • an open book written examination (two-and-a-half-hours long and worth 75% of total marks)

*Including the legislation (Act) establishing NZICA, NZICA Rules, governance and management, and the structure of the accounting profession in New Zealand and internationally.

Further Information

For further information on the Foundations programme, please refer to the 2012 New Zealand Foundations Handbook (PDF, 302 KB) or the Foundations Programme FAQs. 

2012 Dates

In 2012 Foundations will be offered in May and September in various locations around New Zealand. A minimum of 20 confirmed enrolments is required for the programme to be held in any specific location.

 Foundations NZ

 Date

 Times
May  Online Enrolments Open  9 Jan, 2012  Workshop  1 May  9am - 4pm
Online Enrolments Close  27 Feb, 2012  Examination  2 May  9am - 11.30am
September Online Enrolments Open  1 Jun, 2012  Workshop  27 Sep  9am - 4pm
Online Enrolments Close  23 July, 2012  Examination  28 Sep  9am - 11.30am

In 2012 Foundations will be offered in September in London. A minimum of 20 confirmed enrolments is required for the programme to be held.

Foundations London

 Date*

 Times*
September Enrolment Form Available 1 June, 2012  Workshop  26 Sept  2pm - 9pm

Enrolments Close

 23 July, 2012  Examination  27 Sept  6.30pm - 9pm

(*dates and times to be confirmed)

Steps to Enrol - FOUNDATIONS SEPTEMBER

Deadlines

Step 1

 

Complete A, B and C before deadlines:

 

A) Become a provisional member

 

B) Submit Certificate(s) of General Practical Experience

Open: Now 

 

Closes:

23 July 2012

C) Provisionally enrol online: Available from 1 June to 23 July 2012

 

To enrol online you will need a NZICA (Provisional) Membership Number (no need to wait for your Confirmation of Eligilibity to Enrol to be issued)

    • Create (or Update) your eCampus profile
    • Issue your Foundations invoice to yourself
    • Check the requirements for a photo that will need to be uploaded. 

Note: Late enrolments may be accepted from 24-26 July 2012. Please contact prep@nzica.com for more information. A late enrolment fee of $216 will apply.

Opens:

1 June 2012

 

Closes:

23 July 2012

Step 2

Do the following:

  •  Organise payment of your fee
    • The 2012 Fee: $1030 (incl. GST)
  • Upload a photo

26 July 2012
 Step 3 Wait while NZICA:
  • Issues your Confirmation of Eligibility to Enrol
  • Receipts your fee
 
 Step 4 Receive:
  • An email with login instructions for the 2012 Foundations eCampus including access to the study plans and the candidate handbook
16 August 2012