To successfully complete the CPA Program, candidates commencing from semester 1, 2004 up to and including semester 2, 2006 need to complete three compulsory segments and three elective segments within five years (10 semesters).
Candidates must complete the three compulsory segments in order; Reporting and Professional Practice (RPP) must form part of every candidate's first enrolment and each subsequent enrolment until it is completed successfully. RPP must be successfully completed before a candidate is eligible to enrol in Corporate Governance and Accountability (CGA), which must then be completed successfully before enrolling in Business Strategy and Leadership (BSL) if enrolling up to Semester 1 2010 or Global Strategy and Leadership if enrolling from Semester 2 2010. Transition arrangements are in place for candidates who have not completed RPP and/or CGA prior to 2011.
Elective segments can be completed in any order. The elective segments available are:
- Advanced Audit and Assurance*
- Advanced Taxation*
- Malaysia Taxation*
- Singapore Taxation* (enrolment conditions apply - see below)
- Financial Risk Management
- Strategic Management Accounting
- Financial Reporting
- Contemporary Business Issues**
* Candidates who have not completed studies in auditing and / or taxation at undergraduate level must complete these subjects as part of the CPA Program in order to advance to CPA status (see below).
Local taxation courses will become available over time for candidates in major markets outside Australia as an alternative to studying Australian taxation. This will benefit those candidates who wish to work in other jurisdictions and who may not require a detailed knowledge of Australian taxation law.
For Singapore Taxation, candidates must attend face-to-face workshops throughout the semester and the exam in Singapore.
** Contemporary Business Issues is offered in a blended learning format which includes two modules delivered in an online format only. This delivery mode provides greater flexibility for candidates to access the material anytime, anywhere. The online material is not included in the content of the printed study guide and is examinable. System requirements also apply. Please see the segment outline for more information.
Enrolling
For information about enrolment, please see:
- Professional level application and enrolment
- Enrolment regulations for candidates beginning the CPA Program between 2004 and 2006 inclusive
Candidates can enrol in a maximum of three segments each semester. Candidates working full-time are strongly advised to enrol in only one segment each semester.
Advancing to CPA status
To advance to CPA status, candidates must complete the CPA Program within five years.
Candidates who are unable to complete the CPA Program within five years may be eligible to apply for an extension of time. For further information, please see:
Candidates admitted without auditing and / or taxation
It is possible to be admitted to Associate membership without having completed studies in auditing and / or taxation at undergraduate level. These subjects must be completed in order to be eligible to advance to CPA status.
New members admitted under this policy must complete these subjects at postgraduate level as part of the CPA Program by completing the auditing and / or taxation segments.
Examples:
Candidate A has a major in accounting, but has not completed auditing, therefore their CPA Program will look like this:
- Reporting and Professional Practice
- Assurance Services and Auditing / Advanced Audit and Assurance
- elective
- elective
- Corporate Governance and Accountability
- Business Strategy and Leadership / Global Strategy and Leadership
Candidate B has a major in accounting, but has not completed auditing or taxation, therefore their CPA Program will look like this:
- Reporting and Professional Practice
- Assurance Services and Auditing / Advanced Audit and Assurance
- Taxation / Advanced Taxation*
- elective
- Corporate Governance and Accountability
- Business Strategy and Leadership / Global Strategy and Leadership
* Or alternate local taxation variant.
As part of the admission process, you will be asked for information about the subjects you completed as part of your previous studies, and whether you have completed studies in auditing and taxation.
Your letter advising you of your admission to Associate membership will tell you what segments you must enrol in to successfully complete the CPA Program and be eligible to advance to CPA status.