An Accounting Technician (AT) is specially trained to oversee and manage financial accounts to meet high ethical and professional standards.

ATs are often the backbone of businesses, employed in finance and accounting roles within operations functions. These roles can include assistant accountant, senior accountant, finance manager, office manager and financial controller.

The AT Program is currently offered only to applicants residing in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Give your career a lift

Focused on developing your skills and staying up to date with the latest developments in the modern accounting environment, an AT designation can build your confidence and open doors to a wider selection of career opportunities.

Backed by research with ATs, employers and academics, our AT program sets you up with a future-focused, relevant skillset. This involves real, scenario-based learning focused on competencies of future accountants.

Known for high ethical and professional standards

ATs are members of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand and subject to a Code of Ethics and kept up-to-date with ethics refresher training throughout their career.

This ensures that the AT designation and members are known for high standards and remain trusted in the profession and community.

Access to professional development and support

As a member, you are part of a network of over 136,000 financial professionals who make a difference to businesses and communities.

From members-only webinars, resources and networking events to complimentary access to LinkedIn Learning and the CA Library, your membership ensures you are equipped with the support, skills and information to thrive in the accounting profession.

Upskill your team

For people leaders and employers, skilled ATs on a finance team drives accuracy, productivity and standards into daily work and helps ensure accounting processes and knowledge is up-to-date and best practice. 

The AT program is designed for people leaders and employers to provide:

• Career development opportunities to reward and retain team members and attract new talent. 
• Relevant, modern accounting industry knowledge that enables confident and valuable contributors to business. 
• Flexible learning to work around business requirements. 
• Management of financial accounts to ethical and professional standards. 

The AT program includes an AT Supervised Practical Experience component, which is designed to help your employees track their professional and technical competencies. This component is facilitated through a logbook that your employees can use to record their progress. Additionally, the Professional Development Plan template is a useful resource that provides guidance in setting SMART goals and conducting effective annual reviews to track continual progress. By utilising these resources, your employees can stay on top of their professional development and achieve their career goals more effectively.

You can support your employees to become an AT by helping them determine the right pathway for their development, verifying their work experience and investing in their development by contributing towards their membership fees.

Flexible pathways to become an AT

There are two entry pathways into the AT program.

• Experience pathway: for those who have gained five or more years of relevant employment in accounting or finance roles covering certain competency areas.
• Academic pathway: for those who are undertaking, or have undertaken, a formal academic qualification covering accounting and business management.

Register your interest

If you would like more information about the AT Program, register your interest by filling in the form below and we will get in touch with you:

The NZICA Rules do not permit Accounting Technicians to offer accounting services to the public. Members offering accounting services to the public must be a CA Member and hold a Certificate of Public Practice.