Pathway to CPA Australia membership for Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy members

In June 2007 the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) and CPA Australia entered into a mutual recognition agreement (MRA) to further develop the relationship between the two bodies and establish guidelines on how qualified members can gain reciprocal membership.

Full members of CIPFA can be eligible to join CPA Australia and use the designatory letters CPA.

Pathway to membership

The following steps demonstrate the pathway for CIPFA qualified members to gain membership of CPA Australia under the conditions of the MRA.

Step 1: determine eligibility

If you are a full member of CIPFA and satisfy the following criteria, you will be eligible to apply for CPA Australia membership:

• you are a member of good standing and not under any investigation for professional conduct infringements
• you hold a university degree that is comparable to a three-year Australian bachelor degree
• you have completed the CIPFA final test of professional competence and practical experience requirements
• you are not a member of CIPFA by virtue of any other MRA

Step 2: complete application

Complete the application form below and submit it with the following:

• 100 points of identification
• admission and membership fee
• letter of good standing (available from CIPFA)
• certified true copies of university academic awards and transcripts
• payment details

Please ensure you provide an e-mail address with your application.

Step 3: submit application

Send your application to member advisory and information services at CPA Australia.

Step 4: processing of application

Your application will take approximately two weeks to process. If there are any queries about your application, a CPA Australia staff member will contact you.

If your application is successful, an e-mail will be sent to you informing you of your success. A welcome pack will follow by mail.

If your application is unsuccessful, a letter will be sent to you outlining the reasons why. We will provide advice about how you can meet CPA Australia's membership requirements.

Continuing professional development

Once you are a member of CPA Australia you must undertake CPA Australia's requirements in the following areas:

• continuing professional development (CPD)
• professional conduct
• professional assurance
• professional standards

Public practice

Please note the MRA does not include rights for CIPFA members to conduct public accounting services, sign audited financial statements or act as a taxation agent in Australia.

If you wish to offer public accounting services in Australia (including book keeping services) you will need to fulfil the minimum enrolment requirements to obtain a Practising Certificate (Public Practice Certificate), which is issued by CPA Australia.

The minimum requirements to obtain a Public Practice Certificate include:

• completion of examinations approved by the CPA Australia Board in the subjects of Australian company law, taxation and audit procedures; (note the CPA Program Foundation Program - Fundamentals of Business Law exam is not a substitute for Australian company law);

• CPA Program Taxation or Advanced Taxation exam;

• Public Practice Program (distance learning program and residential); and
  relevant Australian work experience.

Additional requirements are prescribed by Australian regulators for members wishing to offer taxation, financial planning or insolvency services.