The Mentor Program
To become a CPA, Associate members must complete the CPA Program and the Practical Experience Mentor Program (Mentor Program). The three year Mentor Program provides a framework for developing and demonstrating practical workplace skills at a professional level, in the areas of accounting and / or finance, while being mentored by an approved mentor and documenting what they do at work.
The Mentor Program is designed to align with CPA Program studies and further develop an Associate members work in a professional accounting or finance role.
The importance of practical experience
The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) is the governing body for all prestigious accounting bodies. IFAC stipulates the requirements for practical experience, including a structured approach to practical experience. The Mentor Program is designed to meet IFAC's standards and offers long term benefits to Associate members who complete it.
According to IFAC, completion of a structured practical experience program will:
- enhance your understanding of organisations, of how business works and of work relationships
- enable you to relate accounting work to other business functions and activities
- develop your awareness of the environment in which services are provided
- develop the appropriate professional values, ethics and attitudes in practical and real-life situations
- provide you with the opportunity to work at progressively higher levels of responsibility
The key roles
There are three key roles involved in CPA Australia's practical experience Mentor Program.
Mentee: is an Associate member who is required to complete the Mentor Program in order to become a fully qualified CPA. The mentee is required to demonstrate workplace skills to their mentor through collection of workplace evidence and is responsible for driving the mentoring relationship.
Mentor: shares their knowledge and experience, and guides the mentee through the Mentor Program. Mentors are also responsible for confirming the length of the mentoring relationship and signing off on demonstrated skills in the mentee's logbook.
Employer contact: the role of the employer contact is to confirm the mentees employment in a professional accounting role and development of generic soft skills. They may also be contacted by CPA Australia to confirm the professional development opportunities offered in the mentee's workplace.
Benefits
The primary objective of the Mentor Program is to enable an Associate member to complete the practical experience requirements for advancement to CPA status. The Mentor Program is a valuable personal learning experience that is designed to develop Associate members into professional accountants and provide them with knowledge across many areas of accounting and finance.
In addition, the Mentor Program also assists Associate members to:
- develop an effective career management strategy
- gain access to an experienced professional's expertise, skills and insights
- document and record your practical skills and technical knowledge that can be used to build a CV or portfolio
- develop networks within your workplace
- develop soft skills in communication, negotiation and people management
Becoming a mentor to an Associate member (a mentee), offers many benefits including:
- the opportunity to share your knowledge and experience and assist in the career and personal development of the mentee
- engaging in mutually rewarding professional relationships
- enhancing your communication and leadership skills
- providing you with a process to think through your own goals and achievements, and expand your horizons
- enabling you to demonstrate your capability to help others reach their goals and personal objectives
The greatest satisfaction is contributing to the personal and professional development of another professional.
Further information
