CPA Australia does not regulate members working in public practice outside Australia, but if you are interested in working overseas you need to be aware of the regulatory and professional requirements.
You cannot practice or hold yourself out as an accountant in Malaysia unless you are registered as a member of the Malaysian Institute of Accountants (MIA). This includes holding company positions such as finance manager, accounts manager, financial controller, general manager finance or any other similar descriptions.
Members who hold CPA status are eligible for admission to the MIA without meeting further requirements.
Once membership of the MIA is achieved, you may choose to be either a public practice service accountant or an employed accountant.
Public practice services may include:
- auditing, including internal auditing
- accounting, and all forms of accounting-related consultancy
- accounting-related investigations or due diligence
- forensic accounting
- taxation, tax advice and consultancy
- bookkeeping
- costing and management accounting
- insolvency, liquidation and receiverships
- provision of management information systems and internal controls
- provision of secretarial services under the Companies Act 1965
Most public accountant firms would provide public professional services to their clients in the following fields:
- company auditor and liquidator
- licensed tax agent or tax consultant
- financial planner
- governance consultant in a particular specialisation, such as mergers and acquisitions.
These generally require specific registration, licensing and certification arrangements, such as fulfilling the requirements of the Malaysian Ministry of Finance, the Inland Revenue Board, the Financial Planning Association of Malaysia or the Securities Commission.
Members are responsible for ensuring they are aware of, and comply with, all regulators requirements in the country in which they work.
For further information email CPA Australias Malaysian division at: my@cpaaustralia.com.au
