Accounting Technician

Flexible, experience-based training

In brief

  • The AT designation is formal recognition of your practical accounting skills and experience
  • Choose from one of three pathways to become an AT and broaden your career options
  • 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

Download the PETH Enrolment form

Download form

Professional Ethics is also an integral part of the designation.

The Professional Ethics Module (PETH) is specifically tailored for Chartered Accountants ANZ members. It takes approximately 50 hours of online study to complete (approximately five weeks).

The course is offered in partnership with a UK-based external provider, Home Learning - AVADO, and consists of one tutor marked assignment and one examination.

You need to be a provisional member of the College of Accounting Technicians before you can register for PETH.

Pathways to becoming an AT

  • Vocational pathway

    This pathway covers a range of practical accounting topics, leading to an AAT Diploma in Accounting, a qualification developed by the Association of Accounting Technicians in the UK.

    Benefits of enrolling in the AAT Foundation Certificate in Accounting course include:

    • Working at your own pace while studying the online units
    • Practical and theoretical skills you learn are designed to be relevant to your current working role
    • Continue to earn while you learn
    • Progress to an AAT accounting qualification (AAT Foundation Certificate in Accounting)
    • Part-time study

    Ready to apply?

    Download the form to get started.

    Apply now

    Prerequisites

    To enrol in the AAT Foundation Certificate (Level 2 certificate), you must have:

    • A secondary school or higher qualification in English and Maths
    • A keen interest in accounting as a profession
    • Regular access to the internet and a PC which meets the course requirements
    • Good English language skills (if English is not your first language, you need an IELTS 5.5 or equivalent)
    • Be a provisional member and be able to sit assessments at AAT exam venues in New Zealand or AAT approved venues overseas

    To enrol in the AAT Advanced Diploma (Level 3 Diploma), you must:

    • Have an existing AAT Foundation Level 2 or equivalent recognised qualification; or
    • Be able to demonstrate appropriate knowledge through work experience.

    To enrol in the AAT Professional Diploma, you must have:

    • Achieved the AAT Advanced Level 3 Diploma or hold a recent degree in Accounting or Finance.

    Once you have completed the AAT Professional Diploma in Accounting (Level 4) you will need to complete the practical experience and professional ethics requirements before applying for full AT membership.

    More information

    Visit the AAT UK for more and register your interest with us.

    Check your skillsRegister your interest
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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).

    Standard Assessment of Qualifications

    Download the form and apply.

    Apply now
  • 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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