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Practical Experience FAQs
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What is the activity log? 
Why do I have to complete it? 
What constitutes a relevant accounting role?  
What if there is not a CA at my place of employment? 
Can I apply for Out-of-Service (OOS)? 
What is a mentor and what do they do? 
Why do I need a mentor? 
Who can be a mentor? 
What if I change jobs? 
Does the Institute help with finding mentors? 
Do all candidates have to meet these practical experience requirements? 
 
Q: What is the Activity Log? 
 
A: During the Practical Experience Program you are expected to develop competence in the following five areas:  
 

  • Accounting and finance-related areas
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  • Organisational and business areas
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  • Information technology
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  • Professional skill
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  • Professional values, ethics and attitudes
 
When you register sections 1 and 2 of your completed Employment Details form with the Institute you will receive access to the Activity Log via myCA. The Activity Log will provide more detailed information on each of the required competency areas. Its purpose is to enable you to track your progress in developing the required competencies. 
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Q: Why do I have to complete it? 
 
A: The Institute has developed a competency framework to map the full range of competencies expected of a Chartered Accountant at the point of admission to membership. The way to verify that you have met this competency framework is through completion of the Activity Log. 
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Q: What constitutes a relevant accounting role?  
 
A: Relevant accounting experience means a depth of experience in at least one major area such as financial accounting, auditing, general practice, management accounting, taxation, financial management, insolvencies, treasury, information systems consultancy and comparable sub-divisions of accounting.  
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Q: What if there is not a CA at my place of employment? 
 
A: You will need to source an external mentor, through your own networks who can support your progression through the Chartered Accountants Program. If you are having trouble finding a mentor, speak with your manager, co workers or peers to see if they can be of any assistance.  
 
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Q: Can I apply for Out-of-Service (OOS)? 
 
A: Yes – you can apply to complete up to 2 modules (28 weeks) out of service (OOS), however there are conditions around using this service. Refer to Chartered Accountants Program Regulation 1 - section 7.3 of the Member's Handbook. 
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Q: What is a mentor and what do they do? 
 
A: A mentor is a Chartered Accountant who supervises your progression throughout the CA Program. The key role and responsibilities of your mentor include: 
 
  • Provide advice on the technical competencies that you could focus on over your three-year period of practical experience
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  • At least quarterly to six monthly face-to-face meeting and review of your performance against required competencies, usually included in existing performance review meetings
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  • Final sign-off on evidence that competence has been demonstrated
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  • Complete a final mentor report confirming you have achieved the required level of workplace competency to be suitable for CA membership
 
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Q: Why do I need a mentor? 
 
A: A mentor is a person who can support and guide you through the Chartered Accountants Program. They sign off on your activity log to verify that you have been progressing through the competency framework that comprises the Practical Experience Program. 
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Q: Who can be a mentor? 
 
A: A mentor can be a member of the Institute or any of the following professional accounting bodies which hold a reciprocal membership agreement with the Institute: 
 
  • The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Australia (ICAA)
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  • The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)
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  • The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland (ICAS)
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  • The Institute of Chartered Accountants in Ireland (ICAI)
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  • Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA)
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  • The South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA)
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  • The New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants (NZICA)
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  • Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants (HKICPA) (admitted through the HKICPA Qualification Program)
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  • A legally constituted State Authority in the United States of America (the person having US CPA status)
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  • Institute of Chartered Accountants of Zimbabwe (ICAZ) (admitted after 1 Jan 1996)
 
Please note that members of CPA Australia can not be mentors.  
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Q: What if I change jobs? 
 
A: If you commenced employment prior to 1 October 2006 and your CA Program studies prior to Term 3, 2007 then you will need to complete and submit to the Institute sections 1, 2 and 3 of the Employment Details Form. 
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If you are completing the Practical Experience Program, or will be changing mentors to an external mentor, then you will need to complete and submit to the Institute sections 1, 2 and 3 of the Employment Details form. 
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Q: Does the Institute help with finding mentors? 
 
A: No - you are required to find the mentor yourself as the relationship is important. If you are having trouble finding a mentor, speak with your manager, co workers or peers to see if they can be of any assistance. 
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Q: Do all candidates have to meet these practical experience requirements? 
 
A: Yes - all candidates who commence their program on or after 1 October 2006, must meet these practical experience requirements for Institute membership. 
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