Career ProfilesCareer ProfilesChartered AccountingA qualification in accounting opens the door to great opportunities and a huge variety of business careers. In fact, it offers more potential than most other professions. Finance professionals with an accounting qualification hold key positions across all sectors of industry and commerce. They work in the entertainment industry, the arts, defence and police forces, the health industry, charities, welfare organisations and education. They work in all aspects of government administration from local to federal level. Today's accountant is also a pacesetter in rapidly growing areas of business such as information management and technology, financial planning and business advice. The accounting profession has seen a fundamental shift towards a wide-ranging advisory role. The traditional image of an accountant was one of 'number cruncher'. This is no longer the case, with most accountants taking on a much more complex role within organisations - which sees them as providers of business management information rather than purely financial information. Improved technology is enabling accountants to automate the more mundane tasks, allowing them time to develop their skills and further their knowledge in all areas of business. Along with CEOs and major business unit directors, the top management teams in modern commercial organisations typically include accountants. Accountants often play a key role in the development of strategic business plans, facilitating major change within an organisation. This role change has lead to a broadening of tertiary accounting courses. Universities are now offering courses that transcend traditional technical accounting subjects in favour of areas such as economics, marketing, information technology or organisational behaviour. The accountant of today must be equipped to become a comprehensive business adviser not just a 'number cruncher'. Opportunities for Accounting Graduates When you ask most people "What is an accountant?" they think of someone who works out profit and loss statements, balances the books and does complicated tax returns and audits. Of course that's still an essential part of some accountancy jobs. But the reality for today's accountants is much wider than that. Today, your career as a finance professional could include any of these choices:
Getting the Right Education The first step on the path to becoming a qualified Accountant is to successfully complete an accredited tertiary course. You can choose from around 50 different tertiary institutions right round Australia. Students may be able to convert from other disciplines by successfully completing accredited postgraduate conversion courses which cover the minimum core of knowledge required to continue your studies. Following completion of your tertiary course, you will be required to undertake further accreditation through either the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia (ICAA) or CPA Australia. Different Accounting bodies in Australia In Australia there are a number of accounting bodies. The two largest, the ICAA and CPA Australia, both require their members to be degree qualified and also to undertake postgraduate qualifications. Members of both organisations are found across the breadth of the business world, from industry and commerce, public practice and the public sector to government organisations and academia. Both designations are globally recognised. What is a Chartered Accountant (CA)? CAs are university graduates who, after completing their degree, are required to pass a postgraduate program, the CA Program and also complete a three-year period of approved practical experience mentored by a Chartered Accountant. CAs can choose to work in different environments depending on their own skills and preferences. They can choose to work in large firms, small public practices, industry, government or education. Many also set up their own businesses. Have a look at the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia website - www.charteredaccountants.com.au/students which has been developed to help students into a career as a chartered accountant. To read more about careers for Chartered Accountants, download the booklet Careers in Chartered Accounting below. What is a CPA? A CPA is a finance, accounting and business professional with a specific qualification who has completed the CPA program, a comprehensive postgraduate professional study program and had three years supervised or mentored experience in finance, accounting or business. To read more about careers in accounting and finance, visit the CPA Australia careers website at www.cpacareers.com.au . Other Information Career View on Accounting is part of the Career View series produced by the Careers Advisory Service at Victoria University of Wellington in New Zealand. While the booklet was originally developed for a New Zealand audience, we believe that graduates in Australia will also find the information within it relevant and useful. Download a complete copy of Career View on Accounting below. Check out the excellent resources available on the Victoria University of Wellington's Careers homepage at http://www.vuw.ac.nz/st_services/careers . GCA wishes to thank The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia (ICAA) , CPA Australia and Victoria University of Wellington's Careers Service for their assistance with the content of this article and associated booklets. |
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