CPA Program entry requirements for your staff

The CPA Program provides even more of your employees the opportunity to contribute to your organisation's success through the application of professional accounting skills. CPA Australia recognises that your high potential employees can come from a variety of educational backgrounds. So, whether your employees have an accounting, finance, business or even an IT or engineering degree, they too can benefit from a career built on professional accounting skills.

To commence the CPA program your staff should:

1. Submit a membership entry pathways assessment form
   • their qualifications and / or experience will be assessed to determine their entry point into the CPA Program
   • depending on their individual circumstances CPA Australia may recognise that your staff have satisfied part or all of the CPA program knowledge and/or experience requirements where they have:
     1) accounting qualifications from university or another higher education provider
     2) completed previous professional level studies and/or work experience
     3) membership of professional bodies with which CPA Australia has a mutual recognition agreement (MRA)
2. Subject to their assessment follow 1 of 2 options:
   1. commence the foundation level by either
      • enrolling in CPA Australia's foundation level segments
      • enrolling in an accredited course with a university or another higher education provider
   2. commence the professional level by
      • joining CPA Australia as an Associate member
      • enrolling in CPA Australia's professional level segments
      • enrolling in CPA Australia's practical experience requirement

To advance to CPA status your staff must:

1. Hold a degree or postgraduate award recognised by CPA Australia
2. Satisfy CPA Australia's prescribed foundation level knowledge requirements either by:
   • completion of an accredited or recognised degree; or
   • completion of CPA Australia's foundation level examinations; or
   • a combination of a) and b)
3. Satisfy CPA Australia's prescribed professional level knowledge requirements within a 6 year time period by:
   • completion of CPA Australia's professional level examinations
   • completion of CPA Australia's practical experience requirement