The CPA Program is a springboard into some of the most exciting and influential jobs in the world. Achieving the CPA designation is a mark of high professional competence.
While many CPA Program students have followed a traditional entry pathway by completing an approved accounting or management degree, we welcome applicants with diverse educational backgrounds.
If you’ve studied a degree from a different discipline but want to pursue a career as a CPA, our foundation exams provide an opportunity for you to demonstrate the competencies required to start the CPA Program.
Foundation exams are:
- flexible – complete your study in any order
- on-demand – unlike returning to university, a benefit of foundation exam study is that you can enrol, study and sit your exam at a time that suits you
- self-paced – from the moment you enrol, you have 12 months in which to sit the exam and can plan your own study schedule
- practical – online and on-demand means that foundation exams may be a more practical and cost-effective option for you.
Complete an application and we’ll assess all your previous education against our key knowledge areas to determine if you’re ready to become an Associate member and start the CPA Program.
YOUR APPLICATION
Your application will be assessed to identify any exemptions that you may be eligible for.
Apply now
FOUNDATION EXAMS
The foundation exams cover the knowledge required to become an Associate member of CPA Australia. They can be taken in any order, at your choice of exam location and time.
Economics and Markets is designed to test your knowledge of quantitative methods, microeconomics and macroeconomics.
As an Associate member, you are now eligible to commence the CPA Program.
CPA PROGRAM
Includes four compulsory subjects, two electives and an experience component that will give you the skills to stand out in the real world.
If you have completed recognised studies in taxation and auditing, you can choose any two electives. If you have not completed recognised studies in taxation, you must select Australia Taxation or your local tax variant where available. If you have not completed recognised studies in audit, you must select Advanced Audit and Assurance.
AUSTRALIA TAXATION
Understand and apply fundamental principles of Australian taxation law affecting individuals and business and investment entities. Local taxation units are available for Malaysia, Singapore and New Zealand.
AUSTRALIA TAXATION – ADVANCED
Build on fundamental principles of Australian tax law to determine the tax implications of complex business and investment arrangements. Explore specialist taxation topics, including tax theory and tax policy, the taxation of financial arrangements, tax consolidations and international transactions and cross-border tax issues.
ADVANCED AUDIT AND ASSURANCE
Focus on both external and internal audit procedures. This subject will ensure you understand the audit process and are able to apply international standards to complex audits.
FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT
Recognise the financial risks faced by businesses and understand the key mechanisms and frameworks used to address and manage risk.
CONTEMPORARY BUSINESS ISSUES
Analyse and evaluate the role of the CPA in contemporary business and how the accounting profession continues to evolve.
YOUR DEGREE
To become a fully qualified CPA you must have completed a degree level qualification from a recognised education provider
YOUR EXPERIENCE
To become a CPA you need 36 months of relevant experience. You can complete Your Experience before, after, or concurrently with your CPA Program subjects, however we recommend doing it concurrently. You will gain skills in four skill areas:
• Technical
• Personal effectiveness
• Business
• Leadership
Economics and Markets is designed to test your knowledge of quantitative methods, microeconomics and macroeconomics.
Foundations of Accounting tests your knowledge of fundamental accounting concepts, including what accounting is, users of accounting information, and an introduction to recording data and producing financial statements.
Fundamentals of Business Law covers general legal knowledge relating to the business environment, a basic knowledge of the law of contracts, and understanding of the responsibilities and risks that arise in business, with particular regard to the law relating to corporate entities.
Business Finance tests your understanding of business finance and treasury function (in terms of fundamental capital, investment, funding and risk decision concepts), the analysis and management of an entity’s financial position, and recent developments in the international financial and treasury scene.
Financial Accounting and Reporting tests your understanding of the form and function of financial statements; how financial transactions are recorded for individual businesses and company groups, and the theoretical concepts and contemporary issues underlying accounting practice.
Try the study guide for yourself:
PDF | EPUB
Management Accounting tests your understanding of developments in management accounting including an understanding of the nature, functions, structures and operations of management.
Learn the application of ethical principles, together with a strong knowledge of key corporate governance principles and mechanisms.
Apply accounting standards, interpret financial reports, and understand the business impacts of financial reports.
Learn how management accounting provides the information critical to the business decision making process. This subject then takes it all one step further and introduces the role of the management accountant in business strategy.
In the capstone subject, you will use strategic analysis to address complex business issues in a competitive and uncertain business environment.
If you have completed recognised studies in taxation and auditing, you can choose any two electives. If you have not completed recognised studies in taxation, you must select Australia Taxation or your local tax variant where available. If you have not completed recognised studies in audit, you must select Advanced Audit and Assurance.
AUSTRALIA TAXATION
Understand and apply fundamental principles of Australian taxation law affecting individuals and business and investment entities. Local taxation units are available for Malaysia, Singapore and New Zealand.
AUSTRALIA TAXATION – ADVANCED
Build on fundamental principles of Australian tax law to determine the tax implications of complex business and investment arrangements. Explore specialist taxation topics, including tax theory and tax policy, the taxation of financial arrangements, tax consolidations and international transactions and cross-border tax issues.
ADVANCED AUDIT AND ASSURANCE
Focus on both external and internal audit procedures. This subject will ensure you understand the audit process and are able to apply international standards to complex audits.
FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT
Recognise the financial risks faced by businesses and understand the key mechanisms and frameworks used to address and manage risk.
CONTEMPORARY BUSINESS ISSUES
Analyse and evaluate the role of the CPA in contemporary business and how the accounting profession continues to evolve.
If you have completed recognised studies in taxation and auditing, you can choose any two electives. If you have not completed recognised studies in taxation, you must select Australia Taxation or your local tax variant where available. If you have not completed recognised studies in audit, you must select Advanced Audit and Assurance.
AUSTRALIA TAXATION
Understand and apply fundamental principles of Australian taxation law affecting individuals and business and investment entities. Local taxation units are available for Malaysia, Singapore and New Zealand.
AUSTRALIA TAXATION – ADVANCED
Build on fundamental principles of Australian tax law to determine the tax implications of complex business and investment arrangements. Explore specialist taxation topics, including tax theory and tax policy, the taxation of financial arrangements, tax consolidations and international transactions and cross-border tax issues.
ADVANCED AUDIT AND ASSURANCE
Focus on both external and internal audit procedures. This subject will ensure you understand the audit process and are able to apply international standards to complex audits.
FINANCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT
Recognise the financial risks faced by businesses and understand the key mechanisms and frameworks used to address and manage risk.
CONTEMPORARY BUSINESS ISSUES
Analyse and evaluate the role of the CPA in contemporary business and how the accounting profession continues to evolve.
YOUR DEGREE
A degree level qualification recognised by CPA Australia.
YOUR EXPERIENCE
36 months of relevant experience where you will gain skills in four skill areas:
• Technical
• Personal effectiveness
• Business
• Leadership
You can complete these before, concurrently, or after your CPA Program subjects.
Economics and Markets is designed to test your knowledge of quantitative methods, microeconomics and macroeconomics.
Foundations of Accounting tests your knowledge of fundamental accounting concepts, including what accounting is, users of accounting information, and an introduction to recording data and producing financial statements.
Fundamentals of Business Law covers general legal knowledge relating to the business environment, a basic knowledge of the law of contracts, and understanding of the responsibilities and risks that arise in business, with particular regard to the law relating to corporate entities.
Business Finance tests your understanding of business finance and treasury function (in terms of fundamental capital, investment, funding and risk decision concepts), the analysis and management of an entity’s financial position, and recent developments in the international financial and treasury scene.
Financial Accounting and Reporting tests your understanding of the form and function of financial statements; how financial transactions are recorded for individual businesses and company groups, and the theoretical concepts and contemporary issues underlying accounting practice.
Try the study guide for yourself:
PDF | EPUB
Management Accounting tests your understanding of developments in management accounting including an understanding of the nature, functions, structures and operations of management.
Competency requirements
If you require further competency in any key knowledge area, your application outcome will outline the foundation exams you need to pass in order to begin the CPA Program.
If you've satisfied all of the above competencies but haven’t met the competency requirement for Auditing or Taxation Law, then you are ready to start the CPA Program and need to complete the relevant elective in your studies.
| Competency requirement |
CPA Program requirement |
|
Auditing
|
Advanced Audit and Assurance
|
|
Taxation Law
|
Australia Taxation, or your local taxation variant
|