Recognised academic qualifications

Understand the academic requirements to join the CA Program

In Brief

  • View a list of AU and NZ degrees accredited by Chartered Accountants ANZ according to the year that you commenced your degree study
  • If you don’t hold an accredited degree find out how to have your degree assessed and bridge your knowledge with further study

Academic entry pathways

You can be admitted to provisional CA membership via one of the following academic pathways:

  • A Chartered Accountants ANZ accredited degree with passes in the required competency areas; or
  • A degree which has not been accredited by Chartered Accountants ANZ, but has been assessed by us as equivalent to an AU or NZ degree (AQF level 7 or higher) with coverage of required competence areas  

If you are not an accounting graduate and don’t hold an accredited degree, identified knowledge gaps (competency gaps) can be satisfied by completing additional study. This study can be completed through an accredited conversion course or the CA Foundations pathway, which will help you with your accounting career paths.

Each year, we assess Australian and New Zealand accounting degree programs and create a list of Accredited Tertiary Courses recognised for entry to the Chartered Accountants Program. While there is a range of recognised qualifications to enter the CA Program, all applicants are expected to demonstrate assumed knowledge in specific competency areas. Further details can be found in the Required Competency Areas section below.

Academic entry pathways

  • Accredited degree entry

    The simplest, most common way into the CA Program is by completing an accredited degree with passes in subjects which cover specific competence areas.

    Each year, we assess Australian and New Zealand accounting degree programs and create a list of Accredited Tertiary Courses recognised for entry to the Chartered Accountants Program.

    If you plan on applying to the Program this way, you can review the Accredited Tertiary Course section below. It includes details on assessment of qualifications and the application process.

  • Degree not accredited

    We recognise some students and professionals want flexibility so they can change direction at some point in their career.

    Having diverse skills and experiences in the accounting profession is an important part of this. That’s why we’ve developed options for those who don’t have an accredited accounting degree to pursue a career as a Chartered Accountant.

    If you have a degree which has not been accredited by us, you can still apply to enter the CA Program, by:

    • Having your degree assessed and verified by us.
    • Upskilling in required subjects through an accredited conversion course or the Chartered Accountants Foundations pathway.

    Conversion course option

    A conversion course enables you to ‘convert’ your studies to a new career.

    Before starting a conversion course, you will need to apply to have your non-accredited degree assessed by completing the standard assessment form. You’ll be advised by letter of any further study you need to do for entry to the CA Program.

    Chartered Accountants Foundation option

    If you need further study in one or more of the required competency areas but don’t want to pursue a conversion course, the CA Foundations offers an alternative pathway to entry.

    This option is not a postgraduate program but the content has been developed to address the same levels of knowledge expected from an accredited conversion course.

    Standard Assessment of Qualifications

    Download the form and apply.

    Apply now
  • Overseas qualifications entry

    If you have a recognised overseas qualification, you can apply to enter the CA Program by:

    • Having your degree or other qualification assessed and recognised as at least equivalent to an Australian or New Zealand bachelor's degree
    • Completing further study to close any competency gaps, through an accredited conversion course or the CA Foundations pathway.

    Assessment process

    To apply for a qualification assessment, download and complete the standard assessment form below. 

    You will need to have your overseas qualifications assessed by us before applying for the Program, or enrolling in an accredited conversion or CA Foundations course.

    The assessment will confirm if your overseas qualification is at least equivalent to an Australian or New Zealand bachelor's degree; and if you have the necessary level of knowledge in the competency areas.

    If knowledge gaps are identified, you’ll need to enrol in an accredited conversion course or Chartered Accountants Foundations units and pass any of the identified subjects. You can then apply for the Chartered Accountants Program.

    Standard Assessment of Qualifications

    Download the form and apply.

    Apply now
  • Accredited Tertiary Courses

    Meeting the requirements

    Find out if your tertiary education meets the Chartered Accountants Program competency area requirements by using the Accredited Tertiary Course lists (ATC) below.

    • Select the schedule that relates to the year you started your academic course
    • Locate your tertiary institution
    • Choose your level of qualification from the schedule
    • Check your subject codes and subject names against the required competence areas in the schedule.

    If you have completed an Australian or New Zealand qualification you are encouraged to assess yourself using the ATC list.

    If you believe you meet all the requirements you can apply for provisional membership.

    If you believe you need to complete more study, use the ATC list to help guide you to the appropriate subjects.

  • Required Competency Areas

    What you need to know

    To ensure success in the Chartered Accountants Program, applicants need to demonstrate that they have sufficient knowledge in the following areas:

    • Accounting systems & processes
    • Financial accounting & reporting
    • Audit & assurance
    • Business law
    • Economics
    • Finance & financial management
    • Management accounting
    • Quantitative methods
    • Taxation
    • Information technology
    • Ethics.

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