Types of membership

We offer three membership pathways or designations to choose from: Chartered Accountant, Associate Chartered Accountant and Accounting Technician. Once you're a Chartered Accountant you also have the option of becoming a Public Practitioner.

Student Affiliate

Our programme for tertiary and high school students will prepare you for a career in business with exclusive events and resources.

Chartered Accountant membership

CA is our top designation and allows you to become a Public Practitioner.

Associate Chartered Accountant membership

ACAs are well placed to work in public practice, as financial analysts and in management roles.

Accounting Technician membership

ATs work in a wide range of accounting, finance and management roles, and in many sectors.

Requirements at a glance

Each designation has a set of qualifying requirements, summarised in the table below.

	Chartered Accountant	Associate Chartered Accountant	Accounting Technician
Programme length	7 years	5 years	4 years
Academic study programme	Four year degree-level recognised programme	Three year degree-level recognised programme	Two year diploma or degree level recognised programme
Practical Experience Programme	12 months of general practical experience 24 months of specified practical experience in an ATO* with a mentor	12 months of general practical experience 12 months of specified practical experience in an ATO* with a mentor	12 months of general practical experience 12 months of specified practical experience with a mentor
Professional Competence Programme	Foundations Programme PAS/PCE	Foundations Programme	Foundations Programme
Continuing Professional Development (CPD)	20 hours verifiable per year, 20 hours non-verifiable	15 hours verifiable per year, 15 hours non-verifiable	10 hours verifiable per year, 10 hours non-verifiable
Reciprocal membership	Yes, with a number of overseas accounting bodies	No	Yes, with the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) (UK)
Roles requiring a particular designation	Certificate of Public Practice

*ATO = Approved Training Organisation

If you are an Accounting Technician or Associate Chartered Accountant, you can build on the requirements you have completed and transfer them to another designation.

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