Opportunity to join Institute

30 October 2006

For immediate release

Opportunity to join Institute

The New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants is offering people with finance and accountancy training an opportunity to join the professional body as part of its process of opening the College of Associate Chartered Accountants as a mid-tier qualification.

Associate Chartered Accountant is one of three qualification offered by the Institute, with the others being Accounting Technician and Chartered Accountant. To qualify, Associate Chartered Accountants complete a five-year programme, which includes a three-year degree plus two years' work experience while undertaking further professional training. Newly qualified Associate Chartered Accountants are well positioned to work as financial and business analysts and advisors, in middle-management roles and for Chartered Accountants in public practice.

For a limited period of twelve months (to 1 November 2007), those already in the workforce can apply to enter the College using a special-entry route that recognises a mix of academic and work experience as equivalent to the level of competence gained through the standard five-year programme.

Membership of the professional body offers a number of benefits, including:

• the credibility that comes with a well-recognised qualification that assures potential employers about members' commitment, skill and experience

• a full range of services to support members in their professional capacity

• a quality assurance process recognised by employers and clients

• an internationally recognised qualification

• the opportunity to contribute in a wide range of advocacy and standards development activities, both in New Zealand and internationally.

Institute Chief Executive Garry Muriwai said that the ACA designation "allows us to now offer potential members, employers and clients a wider range of choices that reflect their needs".

Accounting Technicians undertake a four-year programme, and qualify with the ability to run accounting systems and processes, and analyse and manage financial data.

Chartered Accountants, by contrast, complete a seven-year programme that includes a mix of advanced accounting, business and professional knowledge and skills, fitting the Chartered Accountant for a leadership role in finance and accounting or in the wider business arena.

Members of the Institute of Chartered Accountants are committed to and trained in the high technical, ethical and behavioural standards of the Institute, and undertake formal professional development every year as part of their membership obligation.

The New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants is the country's largest professional body with nearly 29,000 members.

ENDS

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