In brief
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The AT designation is formal recognition of your practical accounting skills and experience
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Choose from one of three pathways to become an AT and broaden your career options
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ATs may be able to work in financial roles including payroll, account management, budget preparation and more
Build the foundations
Accounting Technicians (ATs) prepare and manage financial accounts across different areas of finance and business. Currently the designation is only available in New Zealand.
Their skills are valued by organisations that employ qualified ATs in roles such as account management, payroll, budget preparation or assistant finance manager.
Our flexible, detailed training program has learning options to suit different individuals.
Whether you’re just starting out in your accounting career or building on the experience you already have, you can earn the AT designation through practical, academic or on-the-job learning.
Pathways to membership
You can apply for membership and start your journey through one of the following pathways:
- Vocational pathway: a practical study path covering a range of practical accounting topics.
- Academic pathway: a formal academic qualification covering accounting and business management.
- Experience pathway: An assessment of your practical skills and experience against set competencies, gained through on-the-job training.
If you choose the vocational or academic pathway you will also need to satisfy practical experience requirements. All candidates are required to complete the professional ethics program.
Practical experience
Practical experience complements your educational requirements by providing the opportunity to apply your knowledge.
It can also provide you with the knowledge, professional skills and hands-on learning to excel and stand out.
You must complete two years of relevant accounting employment; at least 17.5 hours per week for a minimum of three months in one role (full time equivalent based on a 35 hour week).
Relevant accounting employment provides experience in at least one of the following areas:
- Financial accounting
- Auditing
- General practice
- Management accounting
- Taxation
- Financial management
- Financial advice
- Treasury
- Information systems
- Academia
- Comparable sub-divisions of accounting
This experience will be verified by your supervisor or manager and reviewed by a current Chartered Accountants ANZ member.
Relevant Accounting Employment Form
Download the Verification of Relevant Accounting Employment form
Download now
Professional Ethics (PETH)
A distinguishing mark of
the accountancy profession is its acceptance of the responsibility to act in
the public interest. Chartered Accountants ANZ advances and upholds this
responsibility by requiring its members to maintain and observe a high level of
professional and ethical conduct at all times.
This course will provide an understanding of the
accounting profession in New Zealand and it will explain the role of Accounting
Technicians (AT) and Associate Chartered Accountants (ACA) in upholding their
responsibilities both as advocates of public interest and as members of CA ANZ.
Key features of the 2018 Professional Ethics (2018
PETH) course include:
- 25 hours of online study covering 11 learning units.
- 90-minute multiple choice, closed-book, paper-based examination held throughout New Zealand.
- The cost for six weeks access to the online study and the examination is $345 including gst.
- You need to be a provisional AT or provisional ACA member before you can register for the PETH course.
Pathways to becoming an AT
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Academic pathway
This pathway enables you to become an AT through academic study, through face-to-face or online course delivery.
You will need to complete the New Zealand Diploma in Business or equivalent university degree level study. You can apply to become a provisional accounting technician while you study towards an approved course.
Once you have successfully completed this course, you have the option to progress to the ACA or CA designation.
Core component
You will need to complete a core component covering a range of business subjects. Example topics include: accounting; sales and marketing; HR; risk management; and developing business relationships with stakeholders.
Strand specific components
For the accounting strand, there are a range of outcomes associated with accounting technical knowledge and skills, and people skills including:
- Apply accounting concepts and standards to prepare financial statements and reports
- Prepare budgets and monitor business performance against budgets
- Apply tax rules for individuals and small business
- Analyse and interpret financial information to inform decision making
- Research and communicate technical financial information for a business entity’s performance
Once you have met the academic requirements, you will need to complete the practical experience requirements and professional ethics online course before applying for full AT membership.
Apply now
Get started by completing the Provisional membership application form.
Apply now
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Experience pathway
This pathway is open to anyone with at least five years’ accounting work experience, who does not want to study for a full academic qualification.
Going down this path enables you to become a full member of the College of Accounting Technicians and use the designation ‘AT’ after your name.
Assessment of Competence
You will need to complete an Assessment of Competence with the support of your referee/manager, documenting the skills and knowledge you have gained through work experience or formal training. The assessment is verified by a referee.
Guidelines
You can prepare your Assessment of Competence by reviewing the detailed assessment criteria within our guidelines.
Download the guidelines
Form
You also need to have successfully completed the Assessment of Competence and Professional Ethics online course within 12 months of becoming a provisional AT member.
Download the form
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Applying for Full AT Membership
To apply having:
Completed one of the approved Academic or Vocational Qualifications:
- the NZ Diploma in Business Level 5 Accounting Strand (1 year full-time study NZQA2459)
- the NZ Diploma in Business Level 6 Accounting Strand (1 year full-time study NZQA2460)
- the National Diploma in Business Level 6 (2 yrs full time study NZQA1499) with specified topic coverage (where available in 2017); or equivalent degree-level study
- the AAT Level 4 Professional Diploma qualification and New Zealand Taxation (completion of NZDipBus Taxation 606 or equivalent) or AAT Level 4 Diploma in Accounting (CA ANZ) AQ2013 including NZ Indirect Tax, NZ Personal Tax and NZ Business Tax.
And
- 2 years Relevant Accounting Employment and;
- Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand’s Professional Ethics online course.
or
The Assessment of Competence:
- with an overall assessment rating of Fully competent
- 5 year’s employment verified by a Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand full member
- Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand’s Professional Ethics online course.
You will need to make sure you have the following documents to apply online:
Your Professional and Member references must each be completed by two different people
- Relevant Accounting Employment Form (Academic and Vocational Pathway)
- A copy of a legal document confirming your change of name, such as a marriage certificate or deed poll (if applicable).
NZ Residents only
You must include a Criminal Conviction Information letter supplied by the New Zealand Ministry of Justice. These can be obtained by requesting a Criminal Conviction History from the Ministry’s website.
If you have lived in a country other than New Zealand or Australia for periods of 12 months or more during the last 10 years, you are required to obtain a police clearance certificate(s) from the country or countries you have lived. The certificate must be a scanned copy of the original that is dated within 6 months of your application. Further information regarding this certificate can be found on the New Zealand Immigration website.
Each application will be considered on its merits and any details of any convictions will be kept confidential.
Apply for full membership
Your journey to full membership.
Apply now
Recognised Overseas Member
If you are a current member in good standing who gained membership through the professional program pathway of one of the following professional bodies you can apply for full AT membership.
- Hong Kong Institute of Accredited Accounting Technicians (HKIAAT)
- The Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT UK)
Members applying under the reciprocal agreement must comply with CA ANZ’s or their home bodies CPD obligations and make an annual CPD declaration and must comply with the CA ANZ ByLaws and Regulations.
Additional information for HKIAAT Members:
- You are eligible to apply if you were admitted prior to the introduction of the Accredited Accounting Technician Examination and the Professional Assessment
- You are required to maintain membership of HKIAAT
When applying for full AT membership you will need to make sure you have the following documents:
Your Professional and Member references must each be completed by two different people
- A Letter of Good Standing from HKIAAT or AAT UK
- A relevant accounting form that confirms completion of one year of full-time relevant accounting employment.
- A copy of a legal document confirming your change of name, such as a marriage certificate or deed poll (if applicable).
Apply today
Download and complete our Application for Special Admission to Membership Form to apply.
Apply now
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Information for Employers
Having skilled ATs on your finance team can help ensure your accounting processing and knowledge is accurate, up-to-date and best practice.
Employees who go through our AT training will be more confident and valuable contributors to your business – regardless of the level of their role.
Benefits of having ATs on your team:
- Improved accuracy, productivity and work standards
- A highly skilled team at all levels
Our multi-entry program can be made relevant and accessible to a range of your employees, from those who are new to accounting to more experienced employees.
Get started
- Work with your employees to determine the most appropriate pathway for their development
- Verify your employee’s work experience
- Invest in their development by paying for or contributing towards their membership fees.
Contact us
Contact us for more information.
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