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Certificate of Public Practice (CPP) FAQs
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What is a Certificate of Public Practice (CPP)? 
Why do I need to hold a CPP? 
How much does a CPP cost? 
How do I apply for a CPP? 
 
Q: What is a Certificate of Public Practice (CPP)? 
 
A: It’s an additional qualification required by Chartered Accountants who are principals in public practice. The position titles they use may vary but what they all have in common is that they are principals of the firm. For example, this includes directors of corporate practices, partners in partnerships, trustees.  
 
Factors to consider in determining whether you are a principal of a practice entity include whether:  
 

  • You have responsibility for the standard of professional work undertaken by the practice entity and management of the practice's activities, including: client selection and retention, determining the terms of the professional engagement, the type and quality of professional services provided, risk management, and the exercising of professional judgement in ethical and technical matters;
    •  
  • Your individual acts are binding on the practice or other principals of the practice;
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  • You have the potential for personal liability for the practice's liabilities;
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  • You have a role in the governance of the practice;
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  • You have responsibility for signing off on professional engagements;
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  • You are acknowledged in the PI policy of the practice as a person responsible for professional engagements;
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  • You are promoted to clients and potential clients as the person responsible for professional engagements;
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  • The perception of clients and suppliers of you is of a person who is able to bind the practice;
 
 
A principal, partner, director, officer or trustee of a related entity of the practice may also be considered to be a principal of a practice entity. 
 
More information on who is required to hold a CPP can be found in Regulation 702.1 of the Member’s handbook. 
 
Alternatively, you can ascertain whether you need a CPP by using the interactive guide ‘Do I need a CPP’. 
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Q: Why do I need to hold a CPP? 
 
A: Chartered Accountants work within a co-regulatory environment, which means they are expected by both regulators and the Institute. This helps to reinforce the Chartered Accountants brand and the integrity of members in the business community, not to mention the wider public. Members setting up in public practice are required to secure a CPP by undertaking the PPP early on, and then renewing their CPP annually. The CPP obligations reinforce the Chartered Accountants brand and members based in mainland Australia can benefit from a limit on their liability under the Institute’s capping schemes. 
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Q: How much does a CPP cost? 
 
A: For Australian residents the annual costs are a subscription of $533.50 and $55 for the PSC levy. The rate of the PSC levy varies dependent on the number of CPP holders in the practice. This is paid annually as part of the annual membership subscription process. 
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Q: How do I apply for a CPP? 
 
A: Start with the online questionnaire to determine whether you need to hold a CPP.  
 
Then: 
  1. Complete, or at least register, for the PPP. Further details of the PPP are available on the Institute website.
    2.  
  2. Obtain professional indemnity insurance
    3.  
  3. Complete and submit your CT-07_Certificate_of_Practice_Application_Form_FA and a draft version of your proposed letterhead.
 
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