CPA Australia had its origins in a number of professional accounting associations that were established in Australia in the 1880s and 1890s and the first two decades of the 1900s.
One of these was the Incorporated Institute of Accountants, Victoria (Victorian Institute), which was established as a result of a meeting of 80 practising accountants in April 1886. Their aim was to form an association with others of the profession that would increase its standing in the eyes of the public.
The Victorian Institute was incorporated as a company under the Victorian Companies Act in 1887. Its membership was open to all accountants. The institute's services were extended to all states and in 1921 its name was changed to the Commonwealth Institute of Accountants (Commonwealth Institute).
The formation of the Victorian Institute was followed in July 1894 by that of the Federal Institute of Accountants (Federal Institute), also incorporated in Victoria. Its constitution provided for the inclusion of accountants, actuaries and auditors. It, too, proceeded to established branches in other states. Both these societies conducted examinations to determine eligibility for membership.
In 1910 a third body, later to be absorbed into the Australian Society of Accountants (Society), the Association of Accountants of Australia, was established in New South Wales. Its membership was later extended to all states. It was aimed more specifically at commercial accountants who were constitutionally required to make up two-thirds of the membership.
In the 1920s two other significant accounting bodies were formed. These were the Australasian Institute of Cost Accountants, and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia, previously the Australian Corporation of Public Accountants. The latter changed its name on being granted a Royal Charter in 1928.
In 1952 the Commonwealth Institute and the Federal Institute decided to merge into the Society. This body formed the basis of the current organisation, with its name changing to the Australian Society of Certified Practising Accountants in 1990 and then to CPA Australia in 2000.
In the 1950s, the Association of Accountants in Australia as well as some smaller organisations, were integrated, followed by the Australian Institute of Cost Accountants in 1966.
Integration of CPA Australia and the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia (Institute) was first proposed in 1969. Since then a number of discussions and negotiations on integration have taken place, but to date the two bodies have not been empowered by their members to form one professional association. Both CPA Australia and the Institute continue to co-operate in areas of professional concern.
In 2008, CPA Australia continues to lead and represent the finance, accounting and business profession, promoting the CPA designation locally and internationally, delivering and developing life-long learning and knowledge to members and anticipating their needs in a changing world.
