There are several things that set accountants apart. While their experience, communication skills, areas of expertise and focus play a role, professional qualifications and ongoing professional development are also key.
Several of our team members are Chartered Accountants. But what does that mean?
Encouraged by a new advertising campaign by Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand (CA ANZ) this article focuses on the value of working with a chartered accountant.
What is a CA?
A Chartered Accountant or CA is a recognised accounts professional who has completed a university degree plus the CA program of training and mentoring in chartered accounting.
In Australia CAs must produce references to be eligible for full membership of the professional institute, Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CA ANZ).
As well as being armed with all the skills of professional accountants, CAs have additional training in auditing and taxation skills.
CA credentials have long been recognised internationally. The professional accounting body dates back to 1854 with the establishment of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland. Australia’s Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICAAA) was formed in 1928 by Royal Charter and later amalgamated with the institute of New Zealand (NZICA) to become CA ANZ.
In Australia, members comply with the rigorous code of conduct for professional accountants set out by CA ANZ.
Ongoing education
CA ANZ runs the Chartered Accounting Program in Australia and is the only professional accounting body in Australia registered as a higher education provider. CA ANZ is a member of the Global Accounting Alliance (GAA).
Successful completion leads to a Graduate Diploma of Chartered Accounting (GradDipCA): an AQF accredited postgraduate qualification that is internationally recognised.
A practising CA must maintain his or her qualifications by completing 120 hours of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) every three years.
Choose a CA for surety and ease
The benefits of the choosing a CA are no secret to Australian businesses and NFPs. By engaging a Chartered Accountant you can place your organisation in good hands.
In the search phase of finding either an employee or contractor, choosing a Chartered Accountant has distinct advantages. A simple search of the CA ANZA database can confirm if the candidate is a registered Chartered Accountant. Only Chartered Accountants holding a Certificate of Public Practice and/or who are an approved CA Specialist are on the database.
With the valued ‘CA’ credential, the minimum standard of a candidate is readily apparent. They will have a recognised accounting or finance degree, CA training and knowledge that is internationally recognised, plus participate in ongoing professional development.
Organisations without the capacity to employ a CA can find a neat solution by engaging outsourced accounting services. Look for an accounting services company that has CAs on staff. The CA can act in different capacities, as a virtual CFO for instance, or providing advice on audit and taxation matters.
Work with a CA to transform your organisation
A CA will bring a big picture approach to solving business issues, based on their education in many aspects of accounting.
It’s one of the reasons the Next Dimension team fields four CAs, in addition to our Founder and Director who is also a CA. Our CA ‘heavyweight line-up’ means that we can provide clients with the full complement of advice and that our clients’ organisations benefit from the depth and range of a CA’s knowledge.
To find out more, get in touch today.
