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Starting your practice
Content Summary
What is Public Practice?
Public practice refers to the provision of accounting services to the public, including areas such as taxation, auditing, business advisory, and financial reporting. At CPA Australia, entering public practice means becoming a certified practitioner equipped with the professional, ethical and legal knowledge required to run a high-quality accounting firm.
What are public accounting services?
As a public practitioner, there are many different public accounting services that you can offer to your clients. Our helpful guide to public accounting services details exactly what’s involved in providing these services to your clients.
The benefits of working in public practice
There are many benefits to working in public practice, including:
- A rewarding career that offers genuine job satisfaction
- The challenge, interest and variety of working with a range of clients
- Flexibility and independence – set your own direction, manage your own time, and make your own decisions
- Financial rewards – reap rewards from the time, skill and money that you invest in your clients and your business.
Get your certificate and become a public practitioner
If you're a CPA or FCPA and intend to offer public accounting services in Australia or New Zealand, you must hold either a Limited Public Practice Certificate (LPPC) or a Public Practice Certificate (PPC), regardless of where you're located.
To obtain a certificate, you'll need to complete CPA Australia's Public Practice Program and uphold ongoing obligations.
Practising in different countries
The requirements and challenges of operating a public practice will vary depending on where you are based. That’s why we provide helpful resources for members working in different regions, with a particular focus on Australia, New Zealand, and Asia.
Practising in Australia
Australian structures, licensing, and registration requirements for public practitioners
- Public practice
- Business management
Practising in New Zealand
New Zealand structures, licensing, and registration requirements for public practitioners
- Public practice
Practising in Asia
Structures, licensing, and registration requirements in Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore
- Public practice
Firm structures
Before you start your own public practice, it’s essential to choose the firm structure that best suits your circumstances. There are also some CPA Australia By-Law requirements to consider. Learn more about these important considerations before choosing the right structure for your firm.
Knowing your obligations
It’s essential that you fully understand your obligations as a public practitioner. That’s why we’ve mapped out these different requirements and designed resources to help you meet them.
Explore our resources for public practice firms
Firm structures
Choosing the right structure for your firm can be a complex process
- Business management
- Practice management
Professional indemnity insurance
Members offering public accounting services must hold professional indemnity insurance (PII). This requirement also applies to services provided on a private, honorary, pro-bono or voluntary basis. Note: only fully qualified members, that is, those holding a CPA or an FCPA designation may provide public accounting services.
- Public practice
- Practice management
Risk Management Framework Tool
This online tool helps you develop a custom Risk Management Framework for your practice
- Public practice
- Governance and risk
Quality Management Manual Tool for Firms providing Non-Assurance Services
Our smart tool helps you address the requirements of Quality Management for firms providing non-audit and assurance services.
- Public practice
- Professional standards
Growing and marketing your business
Find the best resources to grow and promote your firm
- Public practice
Compliance and regulation
Location-specific resources to help you identify the criteria you need to meet for certification
- Public practice
Discover more
How to buy an accounting practice
Advice from public practitioners who’ve taken the plunge
- Practice management
article·Published onCyber security tips for your practice
From invoice fraud to phishing scams, here’s how to protect your accounting firm
- Practice management
article·Published onHow the accounting profession can succeed at succession planning
Beat the demographic ‘bulge’ and start planning. Here’s what your plan should include.
- Practice management
article·Published onToo many accounting jobs, too few staff: why staff retention is key
Smaller practices on both sides of ‘The Ditch’ are dealing with a perfect storm of staff shortages
- Practice management
article·Published on
My first year in practice: three CPAs recall starting their accounting practices
Three accountants from different generations, backgrounds and locations recall their first year.
- Public practice
articleVisit INTHEBLACKYour client service approach
Tips to assist you in understanding your clients' needs, and strategising your approach to meeting them
- Practice management