Mentored Practical Experience
Complement your educational training with practical work experience and professional mentoring
In brief
- Completing practical work experience with guidance from a mentor is an important part of earning your CA.
- It’s your opportunity to show how you are able to apply technical principles and professional skills in a practical working context.
- You can choose your own mentor, but they must be an experienced full member with CA ANZ or a member of a Global Accounting Alliance (GAA) body which CA ANZ has a full recognition agreement with.
Show what you’ve learnt
To become a CA, you must complete the Practical Experience Program to be awarded the designation.
Mentored Practical Experience ensures your learning is applied in a professional context.
You will need to demonstrate competency in at least two of the following technical areas:
- accounting academic
- accounting information systems
- auditing
- external reporting
- financial management
- insolvency and reconstructions
- management accounting
- taxation
- financial advice
You will also need to demonstrate competency in all of the following non-technical areas:
- teamwork
- organisational skills
- research and evaluation
- decision making
- exercising ethical and professional behaviour
- communication and interpersonal skills
You can start your practical experience before commencing any CA Program modules. You can find more information on the competencies and the logbook to record your progress by referring to the related downloads below.
Both your mentor and your manager will provide you with ongoing opportunities to develop and demonstrate your required competencies and help guide and monitor your progress.
Get help and support
Mentored Practical Experience is designed to help strengthen your professional judgement, leadership and teamwork skills.
Your mentor should provide career guidance, support and insights to the accounting profession.
Your progress will be regularly supervised and monitored by a mentor who:
- Shares their knowledge and experience.
- Helps you identify and find ways to fill any gaps in your knowledge.
- Monitors your competency through regular face-to-face meetings.
- Ensures practical experience meets your development needs as well as your employer’s needs.
When you’re ready to apply to become a Chartered Accountant, your Mentor will submit a report confirming your progress and achievements as part of your application.
Working arrangements
You need to be working in a relevant accounting role for at least 17.5 hours per week with a verified approved employer.
There are two types of approved employers:
- An Approved Training Employer (ATE) who offers work experience and training that meets the practical experience requirements for Chartered Accountants.
- A Recognised Training Employer (RTE) who offers an in-house training program that has been approved by Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.
Finding a mentor
You are responsible for finding your own mentor. An experienced Chartered Accountant at your work would be a good place start.
If that isn’t an option, an experienced Chartered Accountant elsewhere is acceptable.
All mentors must be an experienced Chartered Accountant who is a current member of with Chartered Accountants ANZ or a similarly recognised overseas body (a member of the Global Accounting Alliance).
