Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand (CAANZ) is the merged entity of the Australian and NZ professional bodies. The NZ arm used to be called the NZ Institute of Chartered Accountants (NZICA). This is the body that NZers have historically qualified with.

CPA is a large, global accounting body and ACCA is also a large, global accounting body, based in the UK.

When a student is studying at university, they need to make sure that they include the papers that the professional accounting bodies require. A number of students have been caught out by gaining an accounting degree but not having all the papers that are required to qualify. It is worth the time confirming this during the course approval process.

If a student gets a graduate position with one of the Big 4 firms (KPMG, PWC, Deloitte, EY) there will be a graduate programme to assist with the qualification process. These firms are likely to select one of the professional bodies so that the cohort can work together towards the qualification. Larger accounting firms may also offer a similar programme.

A graduate who is not working with an accounting firm can choose the qualification that best fits their situation and focus. All professional accounting qualifications are recognised globally and offer many career pathways as a young person progresses in their professional life.