Public Practice Mentoring Program

The 2023 program has successfully matched hundreds of mentees with experienced mentors from across the profession and we thank all involved for participating. We continue to see more mentee applications than mentors, which unfortunately reduces the number of pairings we can facilitate. Becoming a mentor with the program provides a worthwhile opportunity to share your career knowledge and experience with another member. Consider becoming a mentor for our 2024 program and help to shape the profession.

Although applications for 2023 are now closed, you can register your interest now for 2024. We'll contact you at the start of 2024 with program details and how to apply.

The CPA Australia Public Practice Mentoring Program connects Public Practice members and provides them with an opportunity to share their career knowledge and experience with another member in your sector. Mentoring is one of the most popular and successful ways for individuals to grow professionally and enhance their skills.

By applying for the Mentoring Program, you agree to your personal information being collected and handled in accordance with CPA Australia's Privacy Policy and Statement.

How are participants matched?

Both mentors and mentees are required to complete a detailed application form. All information provided will be reviewed by the Mentor Program Manager to identify suitable pairs based on their goals and experience. Successful members will be advised no later than Thursday 6 April, 2023.

Note: due to anticipated demand, unfortunately we may not be able to provide all applications with a mentor/mentee. Members who are not successfully matched will still be able to participate in future programs.

Members report high satisfaction rates

Outcomes of the 2022 program

35 pairs of mentors and mentees participated in the CPA Australia Public Practice Mentoring Program in 2022, with an overwhelming percentage reporting high satisfaction with their experience. Based on feedback provided for the program, 100 per cent saying they would recommend the program to fellow CPAs. Similarly, 88 per cent of mentees achieved some or all goals or achieved outcomes they did not expect, and 82 per cent would recommend the program to fellow CPAs.

Who is eligible for the Public Practice Mentoring Program?

All mentee applicants must:

be a current member of CPA Australia, residing in Australia or New Zealand
be completing your Public Practice Workshop Training, or have completed your Public Practice Workshop and e-learning, or have obtained a Public Practice Certificate in the last 5 years
be willing to proactively connect with your mentor and take ownership of the relationship
have clear goals that you wish to achieve through participation in the program
be willing to commit time each month to meet with your mentor.

All mentor applicants must:

be a current member of CPA Australia, residing in Australia or New Zealand
have held a CPA Public Practicing Certificate for 7 or more years
are a Principal or Partner with in a Public Practice firm
have experience in non-compliance related roles, and leading others
be willing to commit time each month to meet with your mentee.

What are the program’s expectations?

While CPA Australia will provide the structure and support throughout the program, it is ultimately up to the mentoring pair to get the best from their mentoring relationship.

Mentees must:

be committed to scheduling and meeting with your mentor at least once a month from April to December 2023
complete the relevant training and attendance at program events
set a clear agenda and objectives for your mentoring sessions
seek your mentor’s guidance, not answers.

Mentors must:

be committed to meeting with your mentee at least once a month from April to December 2023
complete the relevant training and attendance at program events
assist your mentee where possible in setting goals and objectives to develop them professionally and personally.
provide advice, support and guidance to your mentee, not answers.

In applying for and entering the CPA Australia Public Practice Mentoring Program, it is understood that you adhere to CPA Australia’s Code of Conduct, and CPA Australia’s General website terms.

Your information will be handled in accordance with the CPA Australia Privacy policy.

In applying for, and participating in, the CPA Australia Public Practice Mentoring Program (“Mentoring Program”), as either a mentee or mentor, you agree to adhere to this code of conduct (Code of Conduct) at all times. Failure to do so may result in your participation in the Mentoring Program being terminated and further action being taken as CPA Australia deems necessary.
As a Mentor and/or Mentee (together, “Participants”) you confirm/agree that:
- You will submit true and accurate information to participate in the Mentoring Program as part of your application and throughout the duration of the Mentoring Program.
- You are a current CPA Australia member and will remain so throughout the eight (8) month duration of the Mentoring Program. Note: if you are applying as a mentee and are an Associate Member you must have successfully completed 1 CPA Program Subject in the last 12 months, prior to the date of the application to participate in the Mentoring Program.
- Discrimination of Participants based on age, gender, ethnicity, or any other prohibited grounds of discrimination will not be tolerated.
- You will enter into the mentoring relationship with a commitment to assist each other to develop and learn in a subjective, fair and respectful environment.
- No bullying, abuse or misconduct will be tolerated and failure to abide by this will result in termination from the Mentoring Program and further action may be taken if deemed necessary.
- You are bound by strict confidentiality when discussing matters, sharing documents or other such information throughout the Mentoring Program. Failure to do so may result in termination from the Mentoring Program and further action may be taken if necessary. Please contact [email protected] should you believe that you are unable to uphold this requirement.
- You must avoid any exploitation of the mentoring relationship.
- You will comply with your terms of your employment (if applicable) including any confidentiality obligations, including that you will not disclose any confidential information regarding your employer and/or their clients.
- Once the Mentoring Program has ceased, you are no longer a recognised mentor/mentee combination in the Mentoring Program but may continue to remain in contact, only by mutual agreement.
- You understand that the value of the mentor/mentee relationship is a joint responsibility and acknowledge that time is required to be set aside to foster the relationship.
- The online training module must be completed by 3 May 2023 in order to participate in the Mentoring Program. Failure to complete the training module by the due date will result in termination of your participation in the program.
- A total of ten (10) hours is the minimum commitment required to engage in the Mentoring Program.
- You must notify [email protected] and your mentor/mentee as soon as possible should you be unable to continue in the Mentoring Program.
- CPA Australia will not be liable for any loss or damage including, direct or indirect, loss, expense, damage, personal injury or death (whether or not arising from any person’s negligence) in connection with the Mentoring Program.
- CPA Australia accepts no responsibility for any tax implications from your participation in the Mentoring Program.
- You will be required to manually add your CPD Points into your CPD diary at the successful completion of the Mentoring Program.
In addition, the requirements set out in 1 above, as the Mentor you also confirm/agree that:
- you will allocate time to meet with the mentee that you have been paired with to share ideas, knowledge and experiences with to support them in achieving their program goals
- you will respond to your mentee as soon as practicable after initial contact is made by the mentee, ideally within one (1) week.
In addition, the requirements set out in 1 above, as the Mentee you also confirm/agree that:
- the Mentoring Program is not be used to sign off “Your experience” requirement for the CPA Program
- the Mentoring Program is not intended as a business coaching/advisory service.
- the Mentoring Program is not to be used to seek employment at your mentors’ place of work
- upon receiving confirmation of a match, you will make initial contact with your mentor. Failure to do so within four (4) weeks will result termination from the Mentoring Program and your place in the program will be given to assigned to another mentee.
Further questions regarding the Mentoring Program or any matters related to mentoring, please contact [email protected]

Your personal information will be handled as outlined in the CPA Australia Privacy Policy.