Becoming a Chartered Accountant takes a little time and effort. So is it really worth it? What is a Chartered Accountant, and why should you be interested in a career as one?

All accountants are not the same. As in any career, there are levels of achievement and recognition for those that are the top of their profession.

Chartered Accountants are widely regarded as being a step up from the rest, having successfully completed an intensive two-year program of postgraduate education and mentored work experience at the same time as they work within an Institute-recognised organisation.

So what are the advantages, and why would you bother?

The Chartered Accountant difference

• Being a Chartered Accountant opens many more doors for your career. You’ll be in greater demand than other types of accountants. There is a shortage of proven, young professionals in the industry, and being a Chartered Accountant will give you the edge in employment.


• You’ll also have more opportunities to work overseas. As a Chartered Accountant, your qualifications are recognised around the world. The Institute is Australia’s founding member of the Global Accounting Alliance, an international body that represents over 700,000 Chartered and Certified Public Accountants, globally. So, you’ve got a head start for member countries you want to work in - such as the UK, the US, Canada, New Zealand, Hong Kong and many more.


• The opportunities are certainly there: according to a Michael Page Salary Survey for 2007/8, global competition for accounting talent is intensifying. Australian professionals are being targeted by institutions in the UK and the Asia Pacific, especially Chartered Accountants with 3-5 years experience.


• Most of all, the depth of experience and training makes it an ideal stepping stone into more broad senior management roles. Some of Australia’s most inspirational directors and CEOs at companies such as Telstra, Macquarie Bank and KPMG are all Chartered Accountants.


• Your business knowledge and financial expertise could see you become one of the nation’s business leaders.


• Finally, unlike other accounting qualifications, the Chartered Accountants Program is a Graduate Diploma so it is accredited by higher education authorities, with exemptions in over 60 Masters degrees available in Australia. For more information refer to CA Plus Pathways.

What next?

To find out more, read our articles on the Chartered Accountants Program, the requirements for enrolment, and how to enrol.

Then start imagining the career and life you really want: being a Chartered Accountant can certainly take you there.